Maltarich ready to get uncomfortable as he preps for Yale

While the name Eli may be a very popular Holmes County name, it is a true rarity that one of the local high school graduates earns the right to call themselves an Eli.

It’s even more unique for a student to earn a full-ride scholarship to Yale University, home of the Elis.

Yet recently, West Holmes High School senior Kyle Maltarich found himself penning his letter of intent to do exactly that, signing up to become an Eli and study premed while playing football.

“It’s hammered into you at a very young age to work hard at everything you do,” Maltarich said. “To have all the adults in my life around me — my parents, grandparents and coaches who have pushed me not only for sports but academically — is huge. To see all of the hard work and the effort behind the scenes finally pay off and getting to go to a top institution, not only to get a great degree but to play the sport I love, is awesome.”

Maltarich was looking at a trio of Ivy League schools, all of which came into play late in the recruiting stages. Knowing he wanted to play football and get an outstanding degree, Maltarich was able to look beyond his college career and football in making his decision.

“What comes after college?” Maltarich said. “There is always life after football, and when these world-renowned schools like Yale, Princeton and Harvard start contacting you, it’s an honor.”

Maltarich said his motto is simply “Four for Forty,” meaning he wants to work his hardest for his four years at Yale to prepare himself and set up life for the following 40 years.

Making the grade both academically and athletically to be invited to attend a prestigious school like Yale doesn’t come along often, and it takes great dedication to do so.

Asked what sets him apart, he said it was the way his dad pushed him to compete on the field of competition, no matter what he was participating in.

“When you see how much better you can make yourself, it makes me hungry for more,” Maltarich said. “You’ve got to have that internal want, and that is what pushes me further.”

Even with all of the hard work and preparation, he said it was still a shock when the Ivy League schools came knocking.

Maltarich also said the challenge of placing himself into uncomfortable situations is what he thrives on.

“I love being uncomfortable,” Maltarich said. “I love figuring things out. I’ve done musicals and sung in front of people, which is nerve-wracking. I’ve been in dance competitions, pushed myself in academics and athletics, and whatever it might be, whenever I’m put into a situation that I’m unfamiliar and uncomfortable with, I like that challenge of being able to figure out how to figure things out and find pleasure in it. How can I piece the puzzle together to make it work for me?”

West Holmes assistant football coach Matt Torgler has watched Maltarich’s game explode over the past couple of seasons and said he is a special talent whose instincts, character and skills go far beyond the football field.

“There are many characteristics that Kyle possesses that will set him apart, both as a football player, as a student and as a quality person,” Torgler said. “On the field his ability to be a playmaker is incredible, but he is also so great at inspiring and encouraging others. He will do whatever it takes to help his team win, and he would play wherever we needed him to play to make us better, and he did so willingly.”

While injuries tried to hamper Maltarich’s gridiron career with the Knights, he boldly battled through them and withstood the test of time, forging a path that led him all the way to Yale.

Maltarich set the school record in receiving yards with 1,345 in his junior year and recorded a whopping 21 touchdowns, following that up in his senior campaign with 1,205 yards and 17 scores in addition to playing on special teams and defense. His effort landed him as a first-team All-Ohioan.

To top it off, he placed fourth in the Division II state track meet high jump to earn All-Ohio honors there as well.

Maltarich said playing at West Holmes under former head coach Zach Gardner and the success of the team has helped pave the way for his success, and playing against talented teams with great players helped him get noticed.

Now all of that preparation has led him to a mountaintop experience in an Ivy League school, which will present its own set of unique challenges that will certainly make things uncomfortable for Maltarich.

He is more than ready to meet them head on.

“I’m excited,” Maltarich said. “Bring it all on because I’m ready to take the next step in life and face whatever comes my way.”