Hartland High School Recognizes College-bound Student Athletes

Amid applause, camera flashes and eventually some hugs and laughs, the Hartland athletic department honored 17 soon-to-be graduated student athletes who plan to continue their athletic careers in college Tuesday as parents, coaches and other well-wishers crammed into a lower-level room at .

Some, such senior boys basketball co-captain Matt Poches who will be attending Oakland University, have earned scholarships while others have committed to playing as walk-ons, said Hartland Athletic Director Jason Reck.

"Whether you a D1 full-scholarship commitment or a walk-on on an NAIA school, you're making the same commitment to live the college athletic life of long hours, practices, study table," Reck said. "They are all pursuing it and that's what we wanted to focus on. They are making a commitment to do something that's special."

He said it's a small percentage of high school athletes successfully move on to the colleigate level and it's a feather in Hartland's cap to have so many, including two of whom earned athletic scholarships at Division 1 schools. (Poches and senior Hailey Pleshakov).

Three — Phillip Annese, Schulyer Ganter and Jordan Martin — will be playing football for Siena Heights University's new team that will on the field for the first time this fall.

Reck also said Ashley Farhat-Tomaszewski's scholarship to the University of Memphis was a first for Hartland's cheer program.

Pleshakov, who received a scholarship to play soccer at Miami (Ohio) University, said it was great to get all the athletes in one room.

"For all of us to be together, it's awesome," Pleshakov said. "Even though were not necessarily good friends in high school, all in the same cliques, it's cool we all have something in common. We can all relate to this and we're all going on to the next level because we worked so hard.

"I am so excited to perform at the next level. It's going to be a great experience different from anything I've ever had."

Holda signs with Olivet Nazarene

Kelly Holda, who starred on the district-winning girls basketball team, signed a letter of intent to play of Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois during the event.

"I'm really excited," said Holda, who is planning to study engineering. "I visited (the campus) about a month ago. I loved it. I thought it was beautiful. I'll fit right in."

Doug Porter, coach of Olivet Nazarene who made the 280-mile trip to Hartland for the signing, said she won't play right away but sees plenty of potential.

"She'll work her way up," he said. "I expect her to earn some playing time this year. 

"I like Kelly's speed. She's really a fast athlete. We run an up-tempo style, so her speed and athleticism really fit well with what we like to do."

Her parents, Linda and Tom, also attended and proud of their daughter's achievement, her athletic career that included playing track and academic achievement.

"It was a lot of years of hard work," Tom Holda said. "She worked as hard as any kid I've seen. She's earned it."

Athlete list