Whippet community shows pride as Shelby athletes sign with colleges
Whippet community pride as Shelby athletes sign to college teams
In an inspiring showcase of the community’s athletic excellence, two standout athletes from Shelby High School signed national letters of intent on April 12, marking their continuation into collegiate sports.
Casey Lantz and
Tanner Hartz, members of the basketball team’s journey to the Division II state basketball Final Four, chose paths in basketball and football, respectively.
They signed their national letters of intent in separate ceremonies filled with the support of teammates, coaches, family, friends, and community members gathered in the Shelby High School gymnasium.
Lantz, a senior guard standing at 6-5 and honored as an All-ohio player for the 2023-2024 season, committed to Ashland University to play basketball.
His mother, Natalie Lantz, is the Shelby girls’ varsity basketball coach who herself starred for the Shelby Lady
Whippets and in college at Ohio University, adding a historical layer to the day’s celebrations.
Meanwhile, Tanner Hartz signed his letter of intent to play football at Heidelberg University in Tiffin. Hartz, also a member of the acclaimed Final Four basketball squad, was joined by a similar crowd of supporters.
Shelby’s varsity high school basketball coach, Greg Gallaway, shared his excitement about both athletes’ futures.
“Both those guys put a lot of time in, outside of our practices to give themselves a chance to play at the next level, so I’m just excited for
both of them,” said Gallaway, who coached the Whippets to a 25-3 record this past season.
See a full story about Lantz’s signing in today’s sports page. Check for a separate story on Hartz upcoming in the Daily Globe.