It is no secret that Milford High School is full of outstanding athletes. Hundreds of Milford alumni have continued on to successful NCAA and NAIA careers, making a mark on these institutions and bringing pride to our community. These athletes’ dedication and hard work have set a high standard for current and incoming student athletes.
Some of the past athletes at Milford have been very hard to top. Recent graduates such as Brayden Kennedy running for the University of Michigan, Lydia Michelin playing Volleyball for Miami University, Fletcher Smith swimming for Davidson College, and Rylee Felton playing soccer at the University of Cincinnati are just a few of the top tier athletes who continued their careers. However, the 2025 and 2026 class has some notable athletes who have the potential to dominate at the next level.
The recruiting process is a time period that is all too familiar to prospective collegiate athletes. Everyone tends to have a different experience with it. Prospective student athletes typically begin showcasing their talents through high school competitions, club teams, and recruiting camps. College coaches evaluate athletes and often will reach out through email, phone calls, or texts. Athletes are then invited to official visits, which typically allows recruits to spend a night or two at the campus with the team to experience the environment of the college and the athletic program. Ultimately, athletes must sign a National Letter of Intent, formalizing their commitment to the team and institution. The process varies tremendously between NCAA Divisions I, II and III.
The 3 divisions offer unique and impressive opportunities for top tier athletes, and all deserve recognition. Division I is often highlighted for its high level of competition and significant media coverage, but division II and III programs are equally noteworthy. Division II balances competitive athletics with a greater focus on academic achievement, providing scholarships while emphasizing a well rounded college experience.
Although Division III does not offer athletic scholarships, and continues the focus on the true student-athlete model, prioritizing academics while still offering students a chance to continue competing at a high level. Athletes have different priorities, those who have the potential to go to division 1 may choose division 2 or 3 for various reasons among the D1, D2, and D3 distinctions. An athlete’s decision between the divisions and schools is based on much more than solely their skill.
At MHS, there are an estimate of 20 prospective collegiate athletes in the class of 2025 alone. One of the class of 2025’s commitments was softball player Marisa Merz, who committed to Oakland University, a Division I program in the Horizon Conference. Merz’s journey was a difficult but rewarding one. She went on four official visits during her recruiting process, including Lipscomb College, Nashville University, Northern Illinois University, Purdue University, and of course, Oakland University. Merz worked extremely hard to get her name out there, by sending hundreds of emails to various colleges, specifically after tournaments, touring universities, calling with coaches, etc. “I’m most excited to be surrounded by people as passionate about softball as I am, and to be playing at the next level,” said Merz.
College recruitment is a rewarding, but stressful process. Senior Elle Dameworth, an all-state swimmer, spoke about her journey to continue her career. “The recruiting process is very tedious, and not what people expect it to be,” she said. “Unless you have a true dream school, it is very hard to find a school that fits you athletically and academically, so it is a slow process of finding the right place. Emails, visits and calls are all so stressful.” Dameworth has spoken with countless coaches and schools, the most prominent being Illinois State University, West Virginia University, and the University of Iowa. While Dameworth has not yet committed, she is narrowing down which elite college she will attend.
Dameworth began to believe in her potential when her middle school coach told her she had a great shot at competing after high school graduation, and she has been pursuing that goal since her freshman year. “My advice is to reach out to anywhere you think you want,” said Dameworth. “Even if you don’t think you have a chance, start as early as possible and be consistent.”
Another amazing athlete at Milford High School is Chloe Caldwell. In September 2024, she committed to The Ohio State University. Caldwell’s recruiting process was different than most athletes because she knew the second she saw Ohio State that it was going to be her home. “Ohio State was my very first visit,” she said. “ I had no other visits after that because I immediately fell in love with the team and school. I knew it was the one.” Also unlike most athletes, Caldwell committed to Ohio State before her junior season, which is impressive because she made this accomplishment in just half the seasons that so many athletes need to be in to be recruited to an elite school like Ohio State.
Based on current knowledge, other possible 2025 prospective collegiate athletes at Milford High School include the following athletes:
- Taegan Skatzka, Golf at Davenport
- Ike Stufft, Lacrosse at Albion College
- Tessa Koshkarion, Collegiate Dance
- Ella Hendry, Dance at University of Michigan
- Ellie Nohovig, Hockey at Michigan Sate University
- Jack Stine, Track and Field at Spring Arbor University
- Brendan Marshall, Swim at Youngstown State University, Saginaw Valley State University, or Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Kellen Phillips, Cross Country and Track and Field at Saginaw Valley State University, or Calvin University
- Tyler Leigh, Football at Northern Michigan University, Alma College, or Heidelburg University
- Carson Lutz, Basketball at Adrian College
- Lexie Remtema, Volleyball at Taylor University
- Landon Murray, Football at Central Michigan University, Adrian College or Madonna University
- Joseph Maruskin, Golf at Albion College, Cleary University, or Ferris State University
- Olivia Diaz, Cheerleading at University of Alabama
- Charlie Jacob, Soccer at Connecticut College
While many are not yet confirmed, and more are on the way, MHS students are bound to commit soon. It is a promising time for Milford High School athletics and the class of 2025 is gearing up for the start of their collegiate careers.