Centerburg quartet to take next step, play sports in college

On March 27, a quartet of Centerburg High School student-athletes took the first step in a new direction in their lives. For each of them, that step is as unique as the goals they have set for themselves. As each one signed their Collegiate National Letter of Intent and discussed their future dreams, they were being reminded of one thing — "Forever a Trojan," is more than just a slogan.

"They realize that they’re students first and athletes second,” said Centerburg Athletic Director Rich Porter. “All four of them excel in the classroom. I think it sets the bar high. Hopefully, it makes other kids realize that you could be good in sports, but you can also excel in the classroom, because they're not going to be playing sports forever."

Payton Tucker will be heading to Grace College in Indiana this fall. Her plans are to run track and field in college. She currently holds a 4.0 grade point average at Centerburg.

"It's hard, sometimes, to balance sports and academics,” said Tucker. “You have practices and you always have to find the time to study, but I work with friends. We all work together. I always make sure I'm ahead in my classes and that I don't fall behind."

What do you want to get out of the education?

"I'm going to college to get my master's degree in medical imaging, so I can go on to do ultrasounds,” Tucker said. “When I was between seventh and eighth grade, I had appendicitis, so I had to go get an ultrasound. That's how I got to see what they were. I always knew I wanted to go into the medical field, but I didn't want to be a nurse or a doctor, so I was looking for other options to that, and that's what brought me to medical imaging."

Even with all the hard work. Tucker didn’t forget to enjoy her high school years, but trying to single out a best memory is difficult.

"I have a lot of good memories at school and at practices,” said Tucker. “We'd like to try to have fun at practices, because it's a lot of running and it gets repetitive. So, we just find different ways to have fun. In middle school, we would play running games like capture the flag. We were having fun, but we were working hard and building our strength. We would always tell stories during our long runs, or just talk. I met some of my best friends through sports. I started cross country in seventh grade and it's going to be hard to leave that behind."

The medical world is also calling to 6-feet-1 Trojans’ basketball standout Lauren Ellis. She wants to join the pre-med curriculum at West Liberty University in West Virginia. She will study, while continuing her basketball career with the Hilltoppers.

"I'm going to pre-Med and then I'm going to West liberty's PA school. As a physicians assistant, I want to travel the world. I want to see the world beyond Ohio. I want to have my own practice."

Ellis didn’t have to go far to find inspiration.

"My dad's a pilot and he's been all over the world. It makes us really jealous because, every time we see a movie and we see where it's filmed, my dad says, 'Oh, I've been there,' so I kept thinking I'm going to go there too. So, he is definitely shaped us into the traveling world."

Ellis came to Centerburg as a transfer student from Olentangy Berlin High School and has posted a 3.6 GPA in her two years. As a junior, she was Honorable Mention All-KMAC in Basketball. Last winter, as a senior, Ellis was Second Team All-KMAC and Second Team All-District to top off her Trojans’ high school career.

"I'm going to miss all the underclassmen a lot,” said Ellis. “I'll miss the Centerburg community. I've been grateful to be a part of that. Leaving is going to be sad. I don't really think I have a ‘best’ memory, because every memory is great. I'm going to miss practice a lot. I'm going to miss my teammates. We had such a great balance between working hard and having fun at practice."

For Abigail Herren, choosing to play softball at Miami (Ohio) University was a decision that has been settled for quite some time.

"I've wanted to play college softball since I was seven,” said Herren. “I've always liked the MAC (Mid-American Conference) schools around the area. I went to a lot of their games."

That dream started coming true during her sophomore year, when Miami coaches noticed her at a camp.

"They went to a couple of my games,” said Herren. “I also visited the campus. It was super nice. The coaches were wonderful and I felt a family environment that I wanted."

Herren is looking forward to her own family, coming to her games.

"My mom really wanted me to be close to home,” she said. “It's only two hours from my house."

Just like in sports, Herren made her career choice some time ago.

"I want to major in sports administration,” she said. “I want to be an athletic director. I work with Mr. Porter, our athletic director, (as a student assistant.) I want to be an AD or go into coaching, or something like that. I want to stay in the sports world."

Herren is carrying a 3.5 GPA over her high school career, as well as lettering in softball over all, four years. As a sophomore, she was Second Team All-District. Last year, as a junior, she was First Team All-District and Second Team All-Ohio.

It’s a long way from Centerburg to a Division I university.

"I'll miss the closeness of being in a small school here,” said Herren. “I'll miss knowing everybody that I have around me. Even though it’s a small school, it's a very big support system. That's what I’ll miss the most about Centerburg."

Blane Ball will attend Muskingum University, where he will quarterback the football team and run track.

"My sister goes there and that's a little bit of it, but when I went to visit her there, it felt like home to me,” explained Ball. “I've met some of the football players on campus. They're all good guys."

Ball’s overall GPA of 3.8 is a testament to his hard work and dedication in everything he does. When he gets his education, he wants to give back.

"I want to study middle education, said Ball. “I might lean toward early or special education. I, also want to start a personal training business and just help out young players, anyway I can. If their middle school or high school, just to help them out.”

Ball has some sound advice to young people.

"Stay consistent,” he said. “If you're not getting playing time right now, look at the bright side. You're getting better, playing and practicing against the guys that are getting playing time. Just keep getting better every day."

Ball lettered three years in football and basketball for the Trojans and will finish at Centerburg as a 4-year letterman in track. He was 2nd Team All-KMAC in football, as a junior. Last fall, as a senior, he was named KMAC Football Player of the Year. As a member of the basketball team, he was a part of the All-Academic Team. Also, as a senior, Ball was First Team All-Central District and First Team All-State in football.

Of course, football holds his best memory. In this case, it was the first round football playoff win in 2024 – his junior year.

"Traveling down to Eastern High School in Reedsville for a playoff game,” said Ball. “The atmosphere was crazy and just the whole drive was really fun."

In the end, aside from graduation, this is really a day that coaches and athletic directors shoot for.

"Absolutely, this is about them,” said Porter. “It's not about me. It's about them recognizing their accolades over the course of their high school career and celebrating where they are going to school."