Recently while surrounded by family, friends, and coaches, Charlestown senior Bradley Watts signed his celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play soccer at Georgetown College in the fall.

Georgetown College is a private Christian college in Georgetown, Kentucky just 30 minutes from the state’s capital. Chartered in 1829, Georgetown was the first Baptist college west of the Appalachian Mountains. The college offers 38 undergraduate degrees and a Master of Arts in education. It offers degrees in areas of visual and performing arts, math and sciences, humanities, language and culture, business, medicine and healthcare, and others. Georgetown College is associated with five Rhodes Scholars and its alumni have included 38 Fulbright Scholars since 1989.

As a school of approximately 1200 students, Georgetown College has 58 student clubs and organizations, including four national fraternities. The college offers a chapel and several Christian and other religious groups for students. Its social organizations cover a wide range of interests, including government, recreation, community service, activism, the arts, and academics. Finally, it is home to 18 varsity sports in the NAIA and the Mid-South Conference.

Watts plans to major in Exercise Science. When asked about his choice to play at Georgetown College with the Tigers, Watts replied, “I chose to go to Georgetown College because I believe this place will help set me up for my future. The faith the coaching staff has in me is a big reason for my decision along with the support from my loved ones. I have been very grateful for the family created here at Charlestown and I feel Georgetown can provide me with a similar family with the team. I feel Georgetown will be a great way for me to succeed and my loved ones feel the same. I am grateful for their support and I am excited to make them proud. ”

Watts is a two-time Mid Southern Conference honoree who recorded 26 goals, 90 points, 38 assists, and 17 steals over his four year career as a midfielder at Charlestown.

Charlestown soccer coach Cristian Martinez shared his sentiments about Watts saying, “Approach college soccer like you did every practice and match—with heart, determination, and a fierce desire to improve. This is your chance to shine on a bigger stage. Embrace the challenge, work hard, and never forget the love of the game. You’ve got this!”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Bradley and wishes him a healthy and prosperous future as a Georgetown College Tiger.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff member Kyle Cook.

Charlestown High School senior Hannah Burns was recently joined by family, friends, and coaches to sign a celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play softball at Illinois Wesleyan University in the fall.

Located in Bloomington, Illinois on 86 beautifully city-scaped acres, Illinois Wesleyan is a nationally recognized, exclusively undergraduate, independent, private university. When colleges are stacked up based on what they do for the world, Illinois Wesleyan University is #5 in the nation among four-year baccalaureate institutions – a Washington Monthly ranking that looks at contribution to the public good. Illinois Wesleyan University ranks  #7 in the nation and #1 in Illinois on Zippia’s 2023 list of The Best Colleges for Getting a Job, based on Department of Education College Scorecard data.

With over 100 areas of study, including majors, minors, concentrations & programs, with an undergraduate 11:1 student–faculty ratio, an average class size of eighteen students, and 95% of full-time students receiving financial aid with a 59% acceptance rate.

The IWU Titans compete at the NCAA Division III level in the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) conference with member schools: Augustana College (Rock Island, IL), Carroll University (Waukesha, WI), Carthage College (Kenosha, WI), Elmhurst University (Elmhurst, IL), Millikin University (Decatur, IL), North Central College (Naperville, IL), North Park University (Chicago, IL), and Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL).

The Illinois Wesleyan Titans Softball program has boasted a 1134-591-3 record in its 47 year program history with sixteen conference tournament titles, twenty NCAA Tournament appearances, and a national runner up billing.

Burns will major in nursing at Illinois Wesleyan University. When asked about her choice to attend school there and play softball, she replied “I chose Illinois Wesleyan because from the moment I stepped on campus it felt like home. Coach Prager and Coach Miller are such amazing people and made me feel like I fit right in. They have given me the opportunity to carry out my childhood dream and I am truly grateful. Additionally, I get the opportunity to attend one of the top nursing programs in the state. Everything about Illinois Wesleyan left me speechless. Since the moment I stepped foot on campus, I knew that this was the place I was meant to be and I am so excited to see where the journey takes me! “

Charlestown softball coach Joe Witten shared his sentiments on Burns saying, “If you have a chance to build a team from scratch, you would start with Hannah Burns. The first thing you would recognize about her is her work ethic. She never cuts corners. Holds her teammates accountable. She leads by example and is positive in every aspect of her life. Willing to take a challenge and improve no matter what the situation is. She wins because she does things the right way. Good things happen to good people. Her best days are ahead of her.”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Hannah and wishes her a healthy and prosperous future as a Illinois Wesleyan University Titan.

Seated (L to R) Robbie Ottersbach (Jake’s father), Jake, Pam Ottersbach (Jake’s mother) Back Row (L to R) David Daniel (CHS Track & Field Coach), and Peyton Ottersbach (Jake’s sister and ISU softball alumn)

Recently while surrounded by family, friends, and coaches, Charlestown senior Jake Ottersbach signed his national letter of intent to attend school and participate in track and field at Indiana State University in the fall of 2023.

Indiana State University is a is a public university in Terre Haute, Indiana. It was founded in 1865 and offers over 100 undergraduate majors and more than 75 graduate and professional programs. The athletics teams at Indiana State University are known as the Sycamores. They participate in the NCAA Division I and in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). Also the Sycamores offer in 13 varsity sports for the men and women of their university.

Ottersbach, who plays wide receiver on the football team and a forward on the basketball team for the Pirates, has shined as a tracklete for Charlestown. Last spring he repeated as the Bloomington Regional champion in the 110M high hurdles and advanced to compete in three events at the state track and field meet where he finished in 5th place in the 110M high hurdles and earned All-State honors. Ottersbach holds the school record in the 110 Hurdles with a time of 14.48. 

Ottersbach will major in aviation at ISU. When asked about his choice to attend school and participate in track and field with the Sycamores, he replied, “Choosing Indiana State University was the best option for me not only for athletics but also to continue my academic career. Indiana State’s track team has won numerous Missouri Valley Conference titles and had multiple athletes go to nationals. I am beyond excited to be a part of this team and contribute to their success. Without my Coaches and team supporting me along the way I don’t believe that I could be where I am today.”

Charlestown track and field coach David Daniel told said, “The CHS Pirate Track & Field staff and I are extremely proud of Jake and excited that he has earned this opportunity to continue his academic and athletic career at Indiana State University.  ISU is getting a well rounded and quality student athlete in Jake. He has always represented his family, school and community well. We wish him all the best and look forward to following his college career next fall.  What Jake has accomplished in two seasons is simply amazing (lost his freshman season due to covid shutdown). He is already a 2-time conference, sectional and regional champion in multiple events and an All-State performer with a 5th place finish in the 110HH this past spring.”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Jake and wishes him a healthy and prosperous future as an Indiana State University Sycamore.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network.