Five outstanding Badin High School student-athletes were honored today as they signed their commitments to play college sports during a recognition ceremony in Mulcahey Gym.

Four inked Division I letters of intent, while another committed to a Division III baseball program that has won more than 30 games in each of the past two seasons.

“Signing Day is always a great day, which is why we give it such attention,” Badin athletic director Geoff Melzer said. “These students have made such an impact on the success of our athletic program, and now they’re going to make a positive impact at the college level as well.”

Three baseball players and two girls’ soccer players were front and center representing the Badin Family in the Class of 2020 at today’s reception. They included Alex Barger, Cade Boxrucker and Spencer Giesting from the baseball program; and Mickayla Kowalski and Gabi Reising from the girls’ soccer program.

“I couldn’t have asked for two better leaders,” said girls’ soccer head coach Joe Martin. “This was my first season in the program, and to have these two girls help lead the way made such a difference for us. Even though they had already made their college commitments, they gave 110 percent each and every day to help us achieve the success that we did.”

The Badin girls’ soccer team went 12-5-2 and reached the Division II district championship game, losing a 1-0 final on a penalty kick to then-unbeaten Monroe. On Sunday, Mickayla Kowalski, a three-year starter in goal for the Rams, was named to the state’s Division II second team by the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association.

Badin baseball coach Brion Treadway pointed out that he had these three outstanding players – two excellent pitchers and a top run-producer – back for their final season in the spring, and he was looking forward to it.

“When you have this kind of pitching and clutch hitting in your program,” Treadway said, “how can you not be excited about the upcoming season? These three young men are key players who will be difference-makers for us again in their senior year.”

As juniors in the spring of 2019, the trio played a key role in Badin’s Division I district runner-up finish, which included a Greater Catholic League crown and 20 consecutive victories in a 27-3 campaign.

The five student-athletes and their destinations include:

Alex Barger will play baseball with an as yet undecided major at Spalding University, a Division III school in Louisville, Ky. Alex is the son of Scott and April Barger of Fairfield and a graduate of Fairfield Middle School.

Cade Boxrucker will play baseball with a Sports Broadcasting major at Campbell University, a Division I school in Buies Creek, N.C. Campbell is coached by 1999 Badin graduate Justin Haire. Cade is the son of Matt and Tiffanie Boxrucker of West Chester and a graduate of Lakota Plains Junior High.

Spencer Giesting will play baseball with a Finance major at the University of North Carolina/Charlotte, a Division I school that is the alma mater of BHS head coach Brion Treadway. He is the son of Brian and Meredith Giesting of Liberty Township and a graduate of Lakota Liberty Junior High.

Mickayla Kowalski will play women’s soccer with a Biology major at Northern Kentucky University, a Division I school in Highland Heights. She is the daughter of Dan and Susan Kowalski of Harrison and a graduate of Harrison Junior High.

Gabrielle “Gabi” Reising will play women’s soccer with a Nursing major at Eastern Kentucky University, a Division I school in Richmond. Gabi is the daughter of Pete and Petra Reising of Okeana and a graduate of Queen of Peace School.

“We’re proud of our student-athletes and wish them nothing but the best,” Badin’s Geoff Melzer said. “They are serious about being successful on the fields of play. That has served them well here at Badin and we know they will take that seriousness of purpose with them to the college ranks.”

Badin junior Sergio DeCello has previously committed to play baseball at the University of North Carolina/Charlotte, and Badin expects to recognize more college athletic commitments in the spring from other members of the senior class.