43
Canfield athletes sign to play college ball
Photo
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Canfield High School seniors Abby Malsch and Sarah Vrabel, both wearing the T-shirts of their respective universities, signed their letters of intent Nov. 18. Joining them at the table were their parents, left to right, John and Jody Malsch, Malsch, Vrabel, Karen and Kevin Vrabel.
Photo
Sarah Vrabel and Abby Malsch celebrated at their letter of intent signing ceremony Nov. 18. The girls have been close friends for years and wanted to sign their letters of intent together.
By ABBY SLANKER
Canfield High School seniors Abby Malsch and Sarah Vrabel, both wearing the T-shirts of their respective universities, took a step toward their college careers at their letter-of-intent signing ceremony Nov. 18.
Malsch, the daughter of John and Jody Malsch, will continue her volleyball career with the Griffins of Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pa., while Vrabel, the daughter of Kevin and Karen Vrabel, will attend Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan to play softball for the Cardinals.
Malsch and Vrabel have been close friends for years and wanted to sign their letters together. A large crowd of family, friends, students, faculty, staff and several players from the softball and volleyball teams crowded the school’s athletic foyer to witness the signing.
Canfield High School Athletic Director Greg Cooper addressed the crowd and introduced Malsch and Vrabel and their families and thanked them for their dedication over the years.
“This is the one of the most fun parts of my job. I get to recognize these young women for their accomplishments,” Cooper said.
Also in attendance was Ronie Haurin, coach of both the volleyball and softball team.
“It was a privilege and an honor to coach both these young women. With their intelligence and skill, they have left no doubt why they are able to continue their careers in college. I wish them both the best of luck and I am honored to have been a part of their high school careers,” Haurin said.
Malsch overcame a serious knee injury to earn four varsity letters for Haurin’s volleyball teams. At Canfield, she has excelled in all fields, being named to the All-American Conference team as a senior and earning All-District (second team) honors in both her junior and senior years. Academically, she has a 4.00 GPA, is ranked first in her class and plans on majoring in pre-professional health at Seton Hill.
Malsch has participated in three mission trips during her summer vacations with the youth group at Canfield United Methodist Church, where she is a member.
Vrabel is a multi-sport athlete at Canfield, having earned three varsity letters and All-American Conference all-star softball honors as a sophomore and junior after Honorable Mention recognition her freshman year. As a pitcher with the Valley Sting summer softball travel team, she earned the lowest ERA and highest batting average in each of her four seasons. She has also lettered in basketball during her sophomore and junior years for Coach Pat Pavlansky’s Lady Cardinals.
Vrabel has a 3.78 GPA, stands 33 of 235 in her class and has been recognized for her academic achievement by both the Ohio High School Basketball and Softball Coaches’ Associations. She plans on majoring in biology in college.
A National Honor Society member, she is on the school newspaper staff and active in the school’s Young Leaders and Leo’s service clubs.