Brownsburg High School celebrated eighteen seniors who signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education and their athletic careers at the collegiate level. These student athletes gathered with family, friends and coaches at Brownsburg High School’s Spring Signing Day, May 15th.
Front Row Standing (l to r) Nick Ayres, Mapuana Stephens, Michaela Barrett, Brayden Humbert, Axel Perez, Katherine Weldy.
Back Row Standing (l to r) Tyler Nolan, Ryan Wiggins, Christopher Klayer. Ryus Moore, Garrett Bess, Reis Thomas, Gunnar Reffeitt, Cody Edmonds.
Brownsburg’s Nick Ayres will play soccer for the Foresters of Huntington University in Huntington, Indiana. Ayres earned four varsity letters and was a strong defensive player in his time at BHS. He was named to the All-County Team in two season and one season Second Team All-Conference. BHS Varsity Head Boys Soccer Coach Josh Brown says, “Nick was a major asset for the defense and a great leader on and off the field. We wish him the best on continuing his career at Huntington.”
Michaela Barrett will continue her track and field career and education with the Knights of Marian University. Michaela has run hurdles and been a member of the 4×400 relay for the Bulldogs. She was also a member of the 2019 Distance Medley Relay Indoor State Champion team. Varsity Girls Trach & Field Coach Julie Waggoner adds, “Marion is getting a great student-athlete in Michaela Barrett. Her hard work, determination, and strong leadership qualities have made her a great role model to her teammates during her time at BHS. I look forward to seeing her success as a Marion Knight.”
Ball State University welcomes Brownsburg senior Noah Berryman to swim for the Cardinals. Berryman swam for Brownsburg for three years, earning Academic All-State and Academic All-American in his senior year and was a 3-time IHSAA State Qualifier.
Brownsburg’s Garrett Bess has signed a letter of intent to continue his education and play volleyball for the Bearcats of McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois. Bess was a two-year letter winner in volleyball and was named to the All-State team in 2018.
Jalen Cox will continue his education and his football career for the Tigers of DePauw University. Cox earned Academic All-State, All-HCC Second team, and Region 6 Indiana All-Star in his senior season on offensive line. BHS Varsity Head Football Coach John Hart shares, “Jalen improved physically as much as any player we had this year. We wish him well at DePauw.”
Brownsburg football player and wrestler Cody Edmonds has signed a National Letter of Intent to play football and continue his education at DePauw University. Edmonds was the 2019 HCC Conference Wrestling Champ at 195 pounds. He is also a three-year varsity letter winner in football and a strong part of the Bulldog defense. BHS Varsity Head Football Coach John Hart says, “Cody shows great work ethic and toughness and will succeed at DePauw, on the field and with the ROTC program.”
Brownsburg’s Brayden Humbert will continue his education and soccer career as he signs to join the Anderson University Ravens. Humbert earned three varsity letters for the Bulldogs and was named to the All-County team in 2018. BHS Varsity Head Boys Soccer Coach Josh Brown wishes Brayden well. “Brayden was an extremely versatile player on defense for us and was able to fill different roles when needed. We wish him the best as he continues his career at Anderson.”
The United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kingspoint, New York welcomes Brownsburg senior Christopher Klayer to play baseball for the Mariners and complete his service. Klayer is a three-year baseball letter winner in the outfield and on the pitcher’s mound for the Bulldogs. Brownsburg Varsity Head Baseball Coach Dan Roman says, “Chris is a strong leader with a tireless work ethic. We wish him well in his baseball career and in his career as a U.S. Merchant Marine”
Brownsburg wide receiver Ryus Moore will continue his education and play football for the Grizzlies of Franklin College. Ryus had a strong senior season for the Bulldogs. Varsity Head Football Coach John Hart isn’t surprised that Moore will continue to play in college as, “Ryus was one of our best leaders.”
Tyler Nolan will continue his education and his cross country and track careers with the Greyhounds of the University of Indianapolis. As a three-sport athlete at BHS, Tyler earned has earned Varsity letters in basketball (2), track and field (3), and cross country (3). His career awards include 2018 Track and Field Academic All-State, 2018 Cross Country Academic All-State, 1st Team All-County (2016 and 2017), 2016 Most Valuable Cross Country Runner, Mental Attitude Award for Basketball (2016 & 2018) and Cross Country (2018). Brownsburg Varsity Head Boys Cross Country Coach Nick Balbach shares, “Tyler led Brownsburg cross country not only with his running but also with his example of how to work hard, be a great teammate, and push through barriers mentally and physically to be successful in cross country. We wish him all the best at Ulndy and know he will represent the Bulldogs well!”
Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio welcomes Brownsburg senior Axel Perez to play soccer for the Knights. Perez earned All-HCC Conference, All-District, and All-County honors in 2017 and 2018. In his senior season, he earned an Honorable Mention for the All-State team and was Hendricks County Player of the Year. Brownsburg Varsity Head Boys Soccer Coach Josh Brown says, “Axel made our team go these past two season by dictating our play and directing the team on the field. We wish Axel all the best in his future soccer endeavors as he will have many unique opportunities before him.”
Brownsburg’s Gunnar Reffeitt has signed a letter of intent to continue his education and play basketball at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Gunnar was a four-year letter winner in tennis and earned three Varsity basketball letters. In tennis in 2018 he was a State Finalist, 1st Team All-State, Academic All-State, All-District, All-Region, and Mental Attitude Award winner. In his junior tennis season he was 2nd Team All-State, All-District and All-Region. He was All-State Honorable Mention his sophomore year. In his senior season for Bulldog basketball, Gunnar earned All-State Academic Honorable Mention and the Mental Attitude Award. BHS Varsity Head Boys Basketball Coach Steve Lynch says, “Gunnar grew as a player and provided tremendously in whatever role he was asked to perform. We knew that we could always count on Gunnar to give us his best effort. We wish Gunnar the best of luck at ONU and look forward to his growth as a young man and to his future successes with his team.”
BHS senior Christian Roberts will study and continue his football career for the DePauw University Tigers. Christian lettered in volleyball and football and excelled as a wide receiver and long snapper for the Bulldogs. BHS Varsity Head Football Coach John Hart says, “Christian was a great teammate who was willing to do whatever it takes to help our team win.”
Huntington University welcomes Mapuana Stephens to continue her education and play soccer for the Foresters. She is a four-year letter winner for the Bulldogs. Varsity Head Girls Soccer Coach Josh George says, “Mapuana was always a team-first player who did whatever was asked of her to the best of her ability. She will do great things at Huntington and we wish her all the best as she continues her collegiate career!”
Brownsburg’s Shai Sumpter-Bey has signed with University of Indianapolis to continue his education and track career for the Greyhounds. Shai is a two-year letter winner in football for the Bulldogs and earned three in track. As a junior, he was a State qualifier in the 100/200/4×100 meter relay. Shai earned All-State as a member of the 4×100 meter relay, placing 7th. In his senior season, he broke the school record in the 100-meter dash, running 10.89. He was HCC Conference runner-up in the 100-meter dash and placed 8th at State. Shai was also HCC Conference, Sectional, and Regional Champion as part of the 4×100 meter relay. The team holds the BHS school record and finished third at the IHSAA Track & Field State Championships. Varsity Head Track Coach Casey Popenfoose says “Shai I am proud of the work you have put in to get to this point as an athlete and as a person. No one has improved in a three-year span as much as you have. Your efforts have earned you free tuition to an excellent 4-year university – and that is special! I challenge you to continue your improvement and growth at UINDY.”
Brownsburg’s Reis Thomas will continue his education and his football and basketball career as he signs to join the Wabash Little Giants. Thomas is a 3-sport athlete who earned three varsity letters in football and four each in basketball and track & field. He earned All-HCC Conference in his junior and senior basketball seasons and Academic All-State Honorable Mention for basketball in 2019. His senior track season concluded with a school record, HCC-Conference, Sectional and Regional Championship in the discus event. He was also named to the All-State team with his 4th place finish at the IHSAA State Track Championships. BHS Varsity Head Football Coach John Hart says, “Reis’ leadership & toughness was an inspiration to the entire team.” BHS Varsity Head Boys Basketball Coach Steve Lynch adds, “We appreciate Reis’ contributions to our program and thank him for all he did for Brownsburg athletic teams. Go Dogs!”
Hillsdale College in Michigan welcomes Brownsburg senior Katherine Weldy to participate in track and field for the Chargers. In addition to a season of girls basketball, Weldy is a three-year track and field letter winner in the shot put and discus for the Bulldogs. For her senior season, Weldy earned Academic All-State and was Sectional Champion and 18th in discus at IHSAA Track and Field State Finals. Brownsburg Varsity Head Girls Track Coach Julie Waggoner says, “Katie has shown great dedication to our throws team during her time at BHS. Her work ethic and determination has not gone unnoticed. We wish Katie the best of luck in her future and she will always be a part of our Bulldog Throwing Nation!”
Brownsburg forward Ryan Wiggins will continue his education and play basketball for the Grizzlies of Franklin College. Ryan was a member of the Bulldogs’ 2018 HCC-Conference Champion and County Champion team. Varsity Head Boys Basketball Coach Steve Lynch says, “Ryan has a great work ethic and was a pleasure to coach. He significantly improved his talents and was a significant contributor to our team as a senior. We appreciate his contributions to the program and know that he will do great things as a Grizzly.”
