“It continues to show that our athletic program is very strong all across the board,” said Geoff Melzer, Badin’s athletic director. “Our students are talented athletes and certainly project to do well on the playing fields as well as in the classroom in college. Playing sports in college is quite a commitment. We’re very proud of them.”
“I’ve wanted to play tennis in college since I was really little,” Connaughton said. “When I got to be age 13 or 14, I started to think it might really happen. I’m excited … I’m the 6th generation of my family to go to the University of Dayton.”
Connaughton is the son of Brian and Jodie Connaughton of Hamilton and a graduate of St. Peter in Chains School. His family runs the Flubs ice cream stores, and Noah plans to major in marketing at UD in order to ultimately run the family business.
Connaughton reached the Division II Final Four at the state tournament as a junior, becoming the first Badin boy to reach the state semifinals. He placed fourth in the tournament and said his goal this season was simple … win two more matches.
Schmitt has started in the Badin softball infield since she was a freshman, helping the Rams reach the Division III regionals each of the past two seasons.
“I’ve been playing select softball for the past 10 years, so I was hoping I could play in college,” she said. “I love the sport too much not to play. I don’t know what I would do with myself otherwise.”
Schmitt is the daughter of Tom Schmitt and Julie Schmitt, both of Fairfield. She is a graduate of Sacred Heart School. She plans to major in nursing at Rio Grande.
“I still have one more season to give it my all for Badin, but I can’t wait to get to college,” Schmitt said. “We’ve already started a chat group with the other girls in the program. I’m just so excited for the opportunity.”
Wolpert, a key member of the running contingent at Badin, never expected to be doing it in college.
“I can remember when I was a freshman, we were on a college visit with my older brother,” he recalled. “The student guide was a cross country runner, and it was mentioned that maybe I would be running in college. I said there was no way I would be doing that. I just sort of fell in love with it over the years.”
Wolpert helped key the Badin boys cross country team into the regionals a year ago, and also earned an individual berth in the Division II 3,200 run at state in the spring track season. He finished 12th in a field of 15 that day.
“I really enjoyed the (Bowling Green) campus and the facilities,” Wolpert said. “They have a really good marketing program, and overall it was a very good fit for me.”
Wolpert is the son of Jim and Karen Wolpert of Fairfield and a graduate of Sacred Heart School.
Two other Badin student-athletes have already committed to college this past summer — senior Abby Lampe, who will play soccer at Ashland University; and sophomore Macy Harper, who will play soccer at Xavier University.
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