Boardman athletes sign on National Signing Day

On February 5, five Boardman senior athletes signed their National Letter of Intent for a Division 1 or 2 collegiate program. Under the direction of Coach John Phillips, cross country and track stand-outs Mark Hadley and Alan Burns signed for Division 1 schools. Under the direction of head coach Fawzi Muhajed and assistant coach Michelle Peters, soccer stand-outs Nikki Hillard, Jenna Kuczek and Bryana Flak signed for Division 2 schools.

Mark Hadley is the son of Darla and Scott Hadley and has signed with Furman University in South Carolina on a full athletic scholarship. Hadley was the Division I state cross country champion at this year’s state meet running 15:10. He was a three time All-Ohioan and Academic All-Ohioan in cross country. In the Federal League, he was the cross country champion the past three years and the Federal League Athlete of the Year the last three years. The Vindicator named him the male cross country runner of the year for the past two years. Most recently, he was awarded the Gatorade Cross Country Runner of the Year for the state of Ohio and is now up for the Gatorade National Runner of the Year. In track, Hadley was a two-time All-Ohioan and Academic All-Ohioan, the Federal League Athlete of the Year for two years and All-Ohioan for indoor track for two years. He is the current school record holder in cross country, 1600, 3200 and distance medley relay team. Hadley will major in exercise science.

Alan Burns is the son of Anita and Bruce Burns and is headed to Youngstown State University for his athletic future in track and cross country. He has been a four-year letter winner in both sports and a two-time state qualifier in cross country. This year he earned All-Ohio first team honors and was named Academic All-Ohio. Burns has been First Team All-Federal League the past three years and all four years has been first team All-County. In track, Burns has been second Team Federal League the past two years, a regional qualifier all four years and a National qualifier to the outdoor track championships as well as the Footlocker Cross Country Championships. Burns has a 3.57 GPA and will study either engineering or business.

Nikki Hillard is the daughter of Deborah Mesnyak and Vincent Hillard and is headed to Wheeling Jesuit University. She has been a four-year varsity letter winner and has been a starting varsity player since her freshmen year. Hillard was selected three years in a row for first Team All District, first Team Federal League, and first Team All County. Hillard has been playing soccer since the age of 5 on such teams as the Phoenix Soccer, Simon Futbol and currently plays for Soccer Vision Academy. Hillard is also a four-year letter winner of the indoor and outdoor track teams. Hillard has a 3.5 GPA, is senior class vice president and a member of the National Honor Society. She plans to major in business management.

Jenna Kuczek is the daughter of Jeffery and Jennifer Kuczek and is headed to Alderson Broaddus University in West Virginia. She is a four-year letter winner in soccer. In her junior year, Kuczek was ranked number one in Ohio Division 1 for assists and number four in Ohio in all divisions for assists. Kuczek received first Team All-District, Honorable Mention All-County and Honorable Mention All Federal League. She returned from an ACL injury and only played half the season but still received second Team All Federal League honors. Kuczek also received the DeBartolo Clear Channel Radio Student Athlete of the Week award in October. She is a four-year letter winner in basketball, has a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. She plans to major in Biology and go to medical school.

Bryana Flak is the daughter of Karie and Thomas Flak and is headed to Ursuline College in Ohio. She was a standout starting defender at Boardman High School while competing in soccer. She has played club soccer for Soccer Vision Academy. Flak earned varsity letters and was named a team captain her senior year. She overcame an ACL knee injury her junior year and came back strong her senior year. She was awarded Division 1 All District First Team and second Team All-Federal League. She has earned team awards for most aggressive player and varsity defense. Flak plans to major in nursing.