Taking that Next Step: MC Athletes honored for College and Military Endevors

Photo by Kathy Reed

By Kenny Varner

LEWISTOWN – It was a who’s who of Huskies standout athletes Monday at the MIfflin County High School.

Fifteen student athletes were recognized and honored for taking the next step in their student careers and life careers with students signing  and military recognition.

Leading the ceremony was Assistant Athletic Director Robert Lepley. He praised the students for their achievements.

“It’s always nice to give these athletes the recognition they deserve as they continue their education and their athletic careers at these secondary institutions,” said Lepley.

With the stage full of students waiting to be honored, the night got underway with future Juniata College cheerleader Cameron Witters. Witters will be an Eagle and will compete in the Landmark Conference in Division lll. Her list of achievements were Sideline Competition Cheerleading, Freshman Year -team captain, Senior Year – team captain, Husky Hustle Award Winner, 22-23, 23-24 PIAA District Champion, 24,25-PIAA State Qualifier and she was a member of the 11th ranked team in the State -2025.

The MIfflin County football team was well represented with Preston Ettinger. Ettinger will be going into the US Army in the Infantry/Artillery division.

Another distinguished Husky that will be heading into the Armed Forces will be cross country and track runner Styers Oden. Oden will be heading into the Army as well as he plans on being a medic in the 68 Whiskey Battalion. He is an honor roll student, an honor graduate, a New Balance Invitational Nationals competitor and a PIAA Indoor States Qualifier.   

Football and Wrestler Avery Aurand will continue his athletic career as a member of the Millersville University football team.

Millersville is a Division ll team that plays its games as a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).

His activities as a Husky Athlete is a long and distinguished one. He was the team captain in the football team and on the wrestling team. He was first team honoree in the Mid-Penn in wrestling and an honorable mention in Mid-Penn football voting. He was a member of the distinguished honor roll. He also was a 2-time District 6 wrestling champion and a 3-time PIAA state wrestling qualifier.

missing from the ceremony was Hunter Tipton. Tipton’s next destination will be at Saint Francis University for football.

Tipton will play Division l in the Northeast Conference. He was a four-year letter winner in football for the Huskies.

Fellow football teammate and quarterback Fletcher Wilson will be heading to Westminster College to continue his football career.

Westminster is a Division lll squad that plays its games as a member of the President’s Athletic Conference (PAC).

Highlights and accolades were a team captain in football, a member of the Distinguished Honor Roll, and tied 2-times for most TD passes thrown in a game.

Soccer and track stand out Leah Alexander will be continuing soccer career at Penn State Schuykill.

As a Nittany Lions her team plays at Division lll in the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference.

She was a Husky athlete award winner in her time as a Lady Husky.

Cross Country and Track and Feild runner Alexis Anderson will be setting her sights on continuing her athletic and academic career as a member of the Delaware Valley University Aggies.

Delaware State is a Division lll team that competes in the Middle Atlantic Conference.

Her athletic highlights as a runner for both the cross country teams and track and field squad. She was on the Distinguished Honor Roll and will be an Honor Graduate.

PIAA State medalist Peyton Kearns is on his way to be a Griffin as a member of the Seton Hill wrestling team.

The Griffins are a Division lll wrestling team that participates in the PSAC as well.

Kearns finished as a 2-time PIAA State qualifier and a fifth place finish in 2025. He was also a valuable member of the MIfflin County football team.

As a teammate of Kearns, Colby Seiler will also be heading to the next level as he will find himself wrestling for Lycoming College. Seiler was not only a forced to be reckoned with in wrestling but was also as impressive with his golf career. He was the team captain of the golf team and wrestling team. He was a 2-time golf medalist and 2-time Mid-Penn All-Star for golf. He was a PIAA State Wrestling Qualifier and also a honor graduate.

Wrestler Kamden Everly will be joining teammate Kearns at Seton Hill. He was a member of the wrestling and tennis teams. In wrestling he was a District 6 Runner-Up and a PIAA Class AAA West Region Qualifier(6th place).

Cheerleader Alexandra Koch was the second cheerleader on the night to be honored for her trip to the next level. She will be heading to Misericordia to cheer as a member of the Cougars.

Misericordia competes in Division lll in the Middle Atlantic Conference. She was a 2-time District Champion, a 4-time UCA All-American, State Semifinal Qualifier and was the 2025 team captain for the Huskies.

Mifflin County girls Lacrosse phenom Mara Gallo will be spending her college career close to home as she selected Juniata College to play her collegiate ball at.

She will be playing as a member of an Eagles squad that competes in Division III as a member of the Landmark Division. Her list of accomplishments are long and distinguished as she heads to her next level of lacrosse play.

She was the Rotary Club Service Above Self Award winner, Lewistown Kiwanis Club Scholarship winner. She accumulated 194 total points, 174 career goals, 20 assists, a Jersey Mike’s Athlete of the Week Award and led the Huskies to their first ever post season run.

Mifflin County softball standout Falynn Reinard will continue her successful career at the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg.

As a member of the Bobcats, Reinard will be playing Division lll softball in the Allegheny Mountain Colligiate Conference.

Reinard was a 2-time District Champion in softball and a member of the Huskies Indoor Track and Field team. She is also graduating MIfflin County with honors.

Elliot Yetter represented his team well in his Husky career as a 2-year letter winner. He will be moving on up to play Junior College at Herkimer County Community College. His team will compete in the Mountain Valley Conference -NJCAA Region lll.

Rounding out the honorees was Vann Rogers. Rogers will also be staying close to home as a member of the Men’s Dividion lll Juniata College squad.

He was the Lacrosse team captain.

“We have 15 wonderful individuals in front of us. I can tell you personally knowing them all they are great people and they are going to go and do great things,” said Lepley. “Several times through the night we heard ‘Graduating with honors’ or ‘distinguished honor role’. It takes a lot to be a high school athlete with the demands that are on these kids. They have all handled it really well.”

It was a night where one door closed and numerous doors opened.