The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Area athletes make their choices
Duffy, Cover and Shell sign National Letters of Intent
Bay senior Matt Cover is projected to win a state title at 195 pounds in Division II this season. But on Feb. 6, his college days were on his mind as he signed his National Letter of Intent to Princeton University. It boiled down to Maryland, Brown and Princeton. “I liked the atmosphere of the program,” Cover said. “They have a lot of good coaches there and the training center is on the up and the past recruiting class has led them to success this year.” Cover visited Princeton in October and plans to major in economics or entrepreneurship. He took third in the state tournament last season and can potentially become Bay’s first state champion since 1976. “There’s only a month left of the senior season,” Cover said. “I’ve been trying to push myself harder each practice and just trying to make sure I’m ready.” Connor Shell committed to the University of Akron to continue his football career. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry with six touchdowns during the regular season, and added 56 tackles (23 solo), three tackles for loss and a pick-six. He made his campus visit last Friday. “It was a stress reliever and I’m glad it’s over,” Shell said. “It was fun but it’s good to kick your feet back and know where I’m going. Bay helped mold me for the next level.” Haylee Duffy will continue her soccer career at Bluefield College in Virginia. Duffy was an outside mid and team captain last season, leading the Rockets to a Division II state final berth. Her choices came down between Bluefield, Malone and Findlay — and plans to major in nursing. “I wanted to get out of Ohio and go somewhere else,” Duffy said. “I like how it’s a small school and I didn’t want to go to a big one. I hope to continue to get better and get my nursing degree.”