The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Chardon’s Niehus finds home at JCU
If the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression” is right, then Cameron Niehus made good on his first impression.
Niehus recalled a day in the Chardon weight room he won’t soon forget — the day he set a new personal record with a dead-lift of 605 pounds.
“It was a normal day in the weight room — deadlift day,” Niehus said. “There was this guy there. I didn’t even talk to him. But he was right there cheering me on. I got 605, a new PR, and everyone was freaking out.”
That guy was John Carroll football coach Rick Finotti.
On Dec. 20, the first day of the NCAA’s new early signing period, Niehus signed his name to play for Finotti’s Blue Streaks.
A 5-foot-11, 240-pound center, Niehus was a firstteam News-Herald all-star and a second team Division III all-Ohioan.
He signed his letter of intent in front of a large crowd on Dec. 20 in Chardon’s library, including family, friends and coaches from the Hilltoppers’ staff.
“Honestly it’s a dream come true,” Niehus said. “My sister went to John Carroll, my stepfather went to John Carroll. It’s kind of in my family. It’s always been a goal of mine to go to John Carroll and be part of a program like that.”
Niehus picked John Carroll over Mount Union, Ohio Northern and Baldwin Wallace — all Ohio Athletic Conference foes of the Blue Streaks.
“I took a game-day visit to Carroll and it just felt like home to me, the place I wanted to be.”
Niehus was the only offensive starter returning to the Hilltoppers from a 2016 team that went 11-1 and advanced to the second round of the Division II playoffs. Chardon finished 6-4 this season with Niehus anchoring the offensive line.
Niehus smiled at all the support around him as he signed, a group that included many of his Chardon teammates.
“It’s awesome. I think it shows what this program is all about,” he said. “Chardon football is all about family and brotherhood. I’m proud to be part of it.”