College Signings: Dillon Morlock takes 'once in a lifetime' opportunity at Michigan State
This next round of seniors that signed their letters of commitment is headlined by some of the area's top athletes.
Dillon Morlock has made it a habit of winning state over the past couple of seasons, Allie McMillen and company set a whole new set of standards for West Holmes girls' soccer with their trip to state this past fall and Corri Vermilya is writing a new record book at Loudonville.
Ultimately, it's about chasing dreams and turning them into reality, something that each of them accomplished.
"There is no substitute for hard work," said Morlock, who submitted his letter of intent to Michigan State University as a thrower in track and field but hasn't officially held a ceremony at Norwayne yet. "This doesn't always mean long hours though as quality work shines through a lot more than just work. Perform every repetition and drill at the highest level and with the highest quality you can. Once you give everything you can in practice, the meets are easy."
McMillen signed her LOI to continue her soccer career at the University of Akron with a ceremony at West Holmes High School.
"I am so excited to continue to pursue my soccer career," she said. "This has always been my goal as an athlete, so being able to accomplish this has given me a roller coaster of emotions. I look forward to playing with and against Div. I athletes, because it will help me reach my full potential as a soccer player."
A big draw for Morlock to MSU was the opportunity of a lifetime — a chance to throw with his brother Colby, who won state in the discus in 2021 before continuing his career with the Spartans.
"The opportunity that I have is one in a million and I could not be more grateful," said Morlock. "Not only am I going to throw on a Div. I Big Ten Conference level, but I get to throw alongside my brother, who has been my biggest role model in life.
"I am very much different from my brother, and I wasn't sure if another college would be a better fit for me, but I was wrong. I couldn't be happier with my decision and the opportunity to throw with him again."
If there were any doubts, his official visit sealed the deal.
"Being in contact with the coaches up there, I always kind of had that feeling they would want me for a visit," added Morlock. "I had visited my brother up there less than a handful of times, so I was familiar with the campus, but my official visit changed my perspective. I walked off of campus knowing that Michigan State is where I belong."
Morlock will be majoring in agronomy and as one of the area's most celebrated athletes, he talked about what he learned through the process and advice he would offer aspiring youth across the area.
"Recruitment can be stressful at times, but at the end of the day, it is your recruitment process, and you make the decision, when it's all said and done. Do what's best for you," he said. "Also, I had a lot of fun with it. It gives you the opportunity to talk to high level coaches in a sport in which I am so passionate about. When I can talk to someone highly involved in throwing, I always have a great time."
McMillen helped lead her Knights team to the Div. II state semifinals this past season and along the way, set a whole level of expectation for the program. They won the program's first district title since 2013, clinched its first-ever regional title and made the program's first appearance at state. That wasn't lost on the West Holmes standout senior.
"For me to say going to state was fun, is a complete understatement," said McMillen. "The tournament run we had was filled with good memories that we will hang on to for the rest of our lives. It was such an amazing experience to be a part of and it’s awesome when your team’s hard work shows. I am so blessed I got to be a captain for the Lady Knights, and I am thankful for the support the community has given us."
Along the way, the Knights continued to give its youth fantastic role models with McMillen being one of them. She offered them this advice:
"Never be opposed to asking for help and the recruiting process is different for every athlete. So be open to building relationships with as many players and coaches as possible," said McMillen. "It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. I am always willing to help anyone who asks for some guidance regarding what they want their next steps to be throughout the recruiting process. Chase your dreams."
One of her teammates in the process was Kali Woods, who was a standout defender for West Holmes over her career. Woods signed her letter of intent at the ceremony to continue her career at Lake Erie College.
"Academically, I thought that I could thrive there with their smaller classes and I wanted to find a place that I could continue to play soccer and my academic career," said Woods.
She will be majoring in education and this fall, she will enjoy her final season on the softball diamond, playing with her sister.
"It's been a lot of fun, I've played with her since I was eight years old and it's been a fun experience," she said. "I am really excited to play at Lake Erie College and I think we will manage."
As for the signing, Woods admitted that it was a weight off her shoulders and what a way it was cap a sterling senior season.
"It was as long ride, we started right from day one and we went to the Wooster leagues to get practice against live play," she added. "It helped me as a player as I was striving to be the best player that I could be for my team. Really the whole team bought into that."
Her sister Kenzie signed her letter of intent to continue her career at Findlay University for softball.
"I am very thankful that I get to have this opportunity," said Kenzie. "I've always wanted to play a collegiate sport and now I have that opportunity. I feel relieved and grateful for this accomplishment."
Over her high school career, Kenzie has shined both as a golfer and on the diamond. Over her three years, she has hit .436, with 27 doubles, 62 runs scored and driven in 75, while doubling as one of the area's best golfers in the fall.
"It’s meant a lot for many different reasons," she said. "I’m thankful that I got to play all four years of my high school career especially since covid happened.
"Something that was really special to me was spending the last four years with my sister by my side. I never realized how hard it will be to not have Kali on the same team next year after all the years spent together playing travel and high school ball. Those moments I will never forget. All the friendships I made these past four year I will cherish because everyone played a part in my journey."
Joining the trio and fellow classmates of McMillen and Woods, were Addison Yoder, Natalie Rohr, Keegan Uhl and Hunter Aurand.
Yoder and Uhl were key leaders on the softball diamond as Uhl hit .543, with 11 doubles, 33 runs scored and 31 RBIs this past season. Yoder hit .365, scored 24 runs, tossed 62.2 innings and posted a 6-6 record. Yoder chose Otterbein University and Uhl signed with Shawnee State University.
Rohr was big part of the Knights defense with Kali Woods and delivered often with her booming kicks. Rohr chose to go to Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
Aurand hit .291 this past season with nine doubles, 21 runs scored and 22 RBIs and signed his letter of intent to continue baseball at Lake Erie College.
Orrville standout golfer, Abby Ankenman has made a name for herself on the local golf courses. She shines as one of the area's best golfers and in a ceremony at her school, signed her letter of intent to continue her future at Glenville State University.
Loudonville standout and one of the area's premier girls basketball players, Corri Vermilya signed her letter of intent to continue her future to Div. II Ashland University.
Over her years for the Redbirds, Vermilya has been a key component to one of the programs brightest run of years in girls basketball. Her teammate Sophia Spangler has been big part of the girls' basketball program over the past year, and she signed her letter of intent to continue her future at Tiffin University.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: College Signings: Dillon Morlock headed to throw at Michigan State
