McClelland Will Make His Way To Knox College

ARSS, Football

Yesterday in the presence of family, friends, and coaches, 2024 Charlestown graduate Clay McClelland signed his celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play football at Knox College in the fall.

The eighty-two acre campus which was founded in 1837 is located in Galesburg, Illinois just 45 miles from Peoria in the midwestern part of the state. With approximately 1,100 students enrolled, Knox is home to nearly 100 majors and minors.

Knox College competes at the NCAA Division III level in the Midwest Conference which also includes Beloit College (Wisconsin), Cornell College (Iowa), Grinnell College (Iowa), Illinois College (Illinois), Lake Forest College (Illinois), Lawrence College (Wisconsin), Monmouth College (Illinois), and Ripon College (Wisconsin). Knox is home to sixteen varsity sports including men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming & diving, and track and field, as well as men’s baseball and football, and women’s softball and volleyball.

When asked about his choice to play at Knox College with the Prairie Fire, McClelland replied, “I chose Knox College because I felt valued to go there. The coaches want nothing but the best for their athletes on and off the field. Even though it’s five and a half hours away, once I am there, it feels like a second home which is very nice considering I’m not away from home very much.” He will major in business but looks to entertain other minors or options once he’s on campus.

Charlestown football coach Jason Hawkins expects big things for McClelland at Knox. He said, “Clay is a hard worker and a great kid, but his best trait for the collegiate level is that he can flat play football. He is a true warrior on the field and we will miss that.”

McClelland no doubt has left his mark on Charlestown Football earning places in the record book for the Single Game Passing Percentage (100% – 8 for 8 – 117 yards vs Salem in 2023) as well as 2nd All-Time in Career Passing Yards (4,671) and Passing Touchdowns (48), and 10th All-Time in Career Rushing Yards (2,828).

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Clay and wishes him a healthy and prosperous future at Knox College.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff member Aiden Stewart.

French Makes It Official with Hanover College

ARSS, Football

Seated left to right: Brandi French (Ethan’s mother), Ethan, Mike French (Ethan’s father) and standing left to right: Jason Hawkins (CHS Head Football Coach) and Dylan French (Ethan’s brother).

Last evening in the presence of family, friends, and coaches, 2024 Charlestown graduate Ethan French signed his celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play football at Hanover College in the fall.

Nestled in 650 acres of a wooded campus and located on the banks of the scenic Ohio River, Hanover College is a private, liberal arts institution where brains and beauty truly intersect. Their rigorous interdisciplinary academic program with 34 majors attracts the best and the brightest from across the region and beyond.

Hanover College competes at the NCAA Division III level in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, including Anderson University, Bluffton University (Ohio), Defiance College (Ohio), Earlham College, Franklin College, Hanover College, Manchester University, Mount St. Joseph University (Ohio), Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology & Transylvania University (Ky.) Hanover is home to twenty varsity sports including men’s and women’s basketball,  cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track and field, men’s baseball, football and swimming, and women’s softball and volleyball.

When asked about his choice to play at Hanover College with the Panthers, French replied, “I chose Hanover for the proximity to my home. I can come home on any given weekend while also living the college life and continuing my dream of playing college football. I am in love with the academics as well as the football coaching staff. Overall, Hanover was the best fit for me.”

Charlestown football coach Jason Hawkins expects big things for French at Hanover and attributed much of his success and opportunity to French’s hard work in the classroom and on the football field. He commented, “Ethan is a great kid who will thrive in the classroom and on the football field. We are super proud of him and look forward to watching all of his success.”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Ethan (also a valued member of the WPMQ Sports Broadcasting staff) and wishes him a healthy and prosperous future as a Hanover College Panther.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff member Aiden Stewart.

Softball’s Smith Signs with Hanover College

ARSS, Softball

Recently, Charlestown senior Addison Smith was joined by family, friends, and coaches as she signed her celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play softball at Hanover College next year.

Nestled in 650 acres of a wooded campus and located on the banks of the scenic Ohio River, Hanover College is a private, liberal arts institution where brains and beauty truly intersect. Their rigorous interdisciplinary academic program with 34 majors attracts the best and the brightest from across the region and beyond.

Hanover College competes at the NCAA Division III level in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, including Anderson University, Bluffton University (Ohio), Defiance College (Ohio), Earlham College, Franklin College, Hanover College, Manchester University, Mount St. Joseph University (Ohio), Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology & Transylvania University (Ky.) Hanover is home to twenty varsity sports including men’s and women’s basketball,  cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track and field, men’s baseball, football and swimming, and women’s softball and volleyball.

When asked about her choice to attend school, major in microbiology, and participate in athletics at Hanover College with the Panthers, Addison replied, “I chose Hanover because of the importance Hanover places on striving for academic excellence. Most importantly, Hanover feels like home where I can thrive and belong.”

 Charlestown softball coach Joe Witten shared his sentiments on Addison saying, “Addie is a model student-athlete. She always comes prepared in the classroom and on the field. She never complains and always gives here top effort. We all could learn from what a Charlestown Pirate should look like. Just spend a day and observe what Addie Smith does. You will instantly be forced to work harder and better our society. “

 WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Addison and wishes her a healthy and prosperous future as a Hanover College Panther.

Article contributed by WPMQ Staff Member Aiden Stewart

Crace to Continue Career at IU-Columbus

ARSS, Baseball

Recently, Charlestown baseball’s Dallas Crace was joined by family, coaches, friends, and teammates to witness and him signing his celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play baseball at Indiana University-Columbus next fall. Pictured is Crace with CHS Baseball Assistant Collin Rauck, IUC’s Head Baseball Coach Scott Bickell, and CHS Baseball Head Coach Brian Hester.

IUC is surrounded by the architectural beauty of Columbus, Indiana on a fifteen acre campus. The school of just over a thousand embraces collaborative ways of thinking that attract exceptional students and faculty for ten Bachelor’s Degree programs and three Master’s Degree programs.

The Indiana University – Columbus (IUPUC, known as the Crimson Pride, competes in four intercollegiate varsity sports in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily as a member of the River States Conference (RSC) as of this school year. Men’s sports include baseball, cross country, and soccer; while women’s sports include cross country, soccer, softball, and volleyball.

Crace told WPMQ when asked about his choice to attend school and play baseball there, “I knew IUC was the place for me. I love what Coach Bickel has started there and want to be a part of it.” He will major in accounting.

Charlestown baseball head coach Brian Hester shared his sentiments on Crace’s decision and said, “Dallas Crace has shown his ability to compete at the next level. He has the desire to compete against any team. He has proven that he has the pitches and control to keep any team off balance. IUC will be getting a player that will never quit.”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Dallas and wishes him a healthy and prosperous future at Indiana University-Columbus.

Contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff member Ethan French

BERKLEY SIGNS WITH INDIANA WESLEYAN

ARSS, Football

Seated L to R: Nikki Berkley (Devin’s mother), Devin, and Jonathan Berkley (Devin’s father); Standing: Coach Jason Hawkins

Recently in the presence of family, friends, and coaches, Charlestown senior Devin Berkley signed his celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play football at Indiana Wesleyan University in the fall.

Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christian comprehensive university of The Wesleyan Church. It is the largest private college in Indiana, based on enrollment, and is one of the largest employers in Grant County. Nearly 3,000 students are enrolled in traditional programs on the University’s 350 acre campus in Marion where more than 80 undergraduate degrees and an expanding list of graduate degree programs are offered.

Indiana Wesleyan is home to intercollegiate programs in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, cheer, men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and field, men’s and women’s bowling and volleyball.

When asked about his choice to play at IWU with the Wildcats, Berkley-who will major in criminal justice-replied, “I chose IWU because of the Godly and family environment. It embodies a lot of the values that I feel represent me. IWU is a place that felt like home on the first visit.”

Charlestown football head coach Jason Hawkins shared his sentiments on Berkley’s commitment and said, “Devin is a great kid that has worked extremely hard for this to happen. He will continue to grow as a player and person and be someone we can all be proud of. ”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Devin and wishes him a healthy and prosperous future as a IWU Wildcat.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network.

Broady is Bound for Indiana University – Columbus

ARSS, Baseball

Seated L to R: Brandon Broady (CHS Baseball Class of 2022/ current Jackson College RHP and Nick’s Brother), Wendy Broady (Nick’s Mother), Nick, and James Broady (Nick’s Father)

Standing L to R: George Roberts (CHS Baseball Assistant Coach), Scott Bickel (IUS Baseball Head Coach), Brian Hester (CHS Baseball Head Coach), Brian Meyer (CHS Baseball Assistant Coach), and Collin Rauck (CHS Baseball Assistant Coach)

Charlestown baseball senior Nick Broady was joined by family, coaches, and teammates as he signed his celebratory letter of intent to attend school and play baseball at Indiana University-Columbus next fall.

IUC is surrounded by the architectural beauty of Columbus, Indiana on a fifteen acre campus. The school of just over a thousand embraces collaborative ways of thinking that attract exceptional students and faculty for ten Bachelor’s Degree programs and three Master’s Degree programs.

The Indiana University – Columbus (IUPUC, known as the Crimson Pride, competes in four intercollegiate varsity sports in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily as a member of the River States Conference (RSC) as of this school year. Men’s sports include baseball, cross country, and soccer; while women’s sports include cross country, soccer, softball, and volleyball.

When asked about his choice to play at IUC with the Crimson Pride, Broady-who will major in physical therapy-replied, “Playing baseball at the college level has always been a dream of mine. IU Columbus is a perfect fit for me. I love what Coach Bickel and Zach McClellan have started there and I’m excited to be able to help build and put my mark on this program.”

Charlestown baseball head coach Brian Hester shared his sentiments on Broady’s commitment and said, “I have had the pleasure of coaching Nick for his high school years. He has never been a player who would shy away from hard work. He has developed a passion for the game of baseball that is contagious to the ones around him. Nick’s athleticism, his core values, and his foundation of being a good person will make him very successful in whatever he pursues. I look forward to watching him grow throughout his collegiate career.”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Nick and wishes him a healthy and prosperous future at Indiana University-Columbus.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network.

Kinser Commits to Hanover College

ARSS, Cross Country, Track & Field

Seated L to R: John Kinser (Kaylee’s father), Kaylee, Heather Kinser (Kaylee’s mother) ; Standing L to R: Mikeala Kinser (Kaylee’s sister-in-law), John Kinser (Kaylee’s brother), Jerry Doyle (CHS Cross Country & Track Coach), and Dylan Kinser (Kaylee’s brother)

Recently, Charlestown senior Kaylee Kinser was surrounded by family, friends, and coaches as she signed her celebratory letter of intent to attend school and run cross country and track at Hanover College next year.

Nestled in 650 acres of a wooded campus and located on the banks of the scenic Ohio River, Hanover College is a private, liberal arts institution where brains and beauty truly intersect. Their rigorous interdisciplinary academic program with 34 majors attracts the best and the brightest from across the region and beyond.

Hanover College competes at the NCAA Division III level in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, including Anderson University, Bluffton University (Ohio), Defiance College (Ohio), Earlham College, Franklin College, Hanover College, Manchester University, Mount St. Joseph University (Ohio), Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology & Transylvania University (Ky.) Hanover is home to twenty varsity sports including men’s and women’s basketball,  cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track and field, men’s baseball, football and swimming, and women’s softball and volleyball.

When asked about her choice to attend school, major in computer science, and participate in athletics at Hanover College with the Panthers, Kinser replied, “In choosing where I wanted to attend college, I found that Hanover stood out to me. Getting to know the college and its cross country program, I felt more at home than anywhere else. The college is a tight-knit community that fosters a unique bond between students and faculty, which I deeply appreciate. Hanover just checked off all the boxes I set for where I wanted to go. I’m immensely thankful for my family, coaches, and teachers who have supported me; I wouldn’t be where I am without them. I’m thrilled to embark on this journey to further my academic and athletic career at Hanover!”

 Charlestown cross country and track coach Jerry Doyle had this to say: “It has been a joy coaching Kaylee for the last 4 years in both cross country and track. She is one of the all-time best runners in Charlestown’s history! She sets goals, and then does the necessary work to reach those goals! She is an example of hard work and dedication that the underclassmen can look to if they want to be successful. I look forward to watching her excel at the next level, but we will definitely miss her!”

 WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Kaylee and wishes her a healthy and prosperous future as a Hanover College Panther.

Article contributed by WPMQ Staff Member Trenton Doss

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