Three Johnstown Christian School athletes make college declarations

HOLLSOPPLE — A trio of Johnstown Christian School student-athletes announced their college commitments on Friday afternoon.

Mary Hostetter announced her intentions to play soccer at Division III Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. She will play for coach Elyse Overton in the National Christian College Athletic Association.

Sarah Huston will continue her basketball career at Penn State Dubois and play for coach Pat Lewis in the Penn State University Athletic Conference.

Meanwhile, Ethan McDowell will play soccer at Pennsylvania College of Technology of the United East Conference and play for coach Tyler Mensch.

Taking talents to next levelConemaugh Township trio announces college athletic futures

Hostetter excited for next opportunity

Hostetter just earned an individual gold in the 100-meter dash on Wednesday at the District 5 Track and Field Championships. She also ran the anchor leg of the 400-meter relay, racing down the Bedford anchor to win the event and advance to the PIAA Class 2A Track and Field Championships in two events.

However, Hostetter enjoys soccer and made the decision to further her athletic career on the pitch.

"I love to run, which is track, but I also enjoy having a ball, which is soccer," said Hostetter of her decision. "I'm combining two things I really enjoy and getting to do both of those."

Hostetter had some help discovering her future home for the next four years.

"I found Asbury because my English teacher went there and she spoke very highly of it," Hostetter said. "I looked at a bunch of different schools, and Asbury was a great option. They offered me a decent scholarship for academics and to play on the soccer team. The coach was interested in me and offered me a spot on the team if I wanted to play."

Hostetter, who boasts a 4.3 GPA, plans on majoring in intercultural studies. She wants to eventually become a missionary, work in another country to talk about her faith and share that with others.

She is a part of choir, bell choir, National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society.

Hostetter was the Santa Fund Classic MVP, a first-team, all-county honoree and an Allegheny Christian Athletic Association all-star selection. She also won the leadership award, was the captain of her team and leading scorer.

She is eager to compete at the college level.

"I am looking forward to competing with a bunch of girls who have decided soccer was the one sport they want to pursue, and who have devoted a lot of their lives to playing the sport," Hostetter said. "I think it will be fun to have teammates to pass to all the time and to encourage and be encouraged by."

Hostetter, the daughter of Clark and Jenny Hostetter of Jerome, thanks her coaches at Johnstown Christian who have prepared her to play at the next level.

Huston leads way in senior season

While Huston did not tally the most points this season, she led the Blue Jays in assists and rebounds. It is rare for a player to lead a program in those two categories.

Her ability to distribute the basketball and pull down rebounds will benefit the 5-foot-9 guard as well as her team at the collegiate level. Penn State Dubois was a place that stood out right away to Huston.

"Honestly, it was one of the few colleges that I looked at," Huston said. "It just felt right whenever I visited there, and the coach and the team just seemed right."

It is special to play the sport you love beyond high school. Huston's drive and passion for the sport will be something that stands out for the next four years.

"I'm excited for what's to come, to be able to continue basketball," Huston said.

She learned a lot while competing in high school. Huston helped the Blue Jays to a 17-3 mark this past season.

"Just do everything to your best ability whether that's school or athletics," Huston said.

Johnstown Christian coach Margaret Adkins said Huston's game progressed greatly ahead of her senior season.

"Sarah works really hard, and as a result of that, every part of her game consistently continues to improve," Adkins said. "This time last year she decided she was going to have the best year ever. She started even before school was out. We had two-a-days. All summer long she was there. She worked hard. Sometimes it was just me and her.

"She's just such a hard worker that elevates her, and her shot improved and her quickness improved and just her skill level all over the place got so much better than she was last year."

Huston has a 4.3 GPA. She plans on majoring in nutrition and eventually would like to become a dietician.

She is the daughter of John and Jodi Huston of Richland.

McDowell to play at next level

McDowell was the driving force for Johnstown Christian. Head coach Dave Sprankle said he will miss McDowell's presence of the field and everything he provided to the team.

"Ethan is a standout player, always the first one to the ball," Sprankle said. "He's a leader on the team. Just his tenacity is unbelievable."

While McDowell is looking forward to playing soccer in college, his decision went beyond the field of play.

He plans on majoring in construction management with future plans to own a construction company.

"Looking at it academically, I was looking for a place where I could work with my hands because I like construction," he said. "That's what I want to do. I just looked at Pennsylvania colleges that fit that role."

McDowell also has lofty goals entering his freshman soccer season.

"My goal would be to try to get that starting position on the team next season," he said. "The consistency of play and getting better was part of it. I like the competitive side of it.

"I've got a good mindset off the field. Hard work. My coached pushed me to my limits."

McDowell has played club soccer since sixth grade for BVB International Academy.

"Playing at the level really helped me hone my craft," McDowell said. "It probably made me how good I am today."

Sprankle said McDowell can succeed at the next level by continuing to do the simple things.

"As long as he continues working on his skillset and putting the ball to the back of the net, he is going to find success," Sprankle said. "He's a very unselfish player. When I watch him play, he's always able to think beyond what's in front of him. That's what makes him stand out."

He thanks coach Sprankle and his coaches from BVB International Academy.

McDowell is the son of John and Amy McDowell of Armagh.

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Johnstown Christian's Hostetter, Huston, McDowell commit to colleges