From left to right: Calvin Schilz, Jack Plumb, Jed Baranczyk and Sydney LaPoint
BY RICH PALZEWIC
CORRESPONDENT
SUAMICO – With friends, family and coaches surrounding them, four Bay Port seniors were honored by the school for signing their national letters of intent in a ceremony Dec. 20.
Jack Plumb (University of Iowa, football), Sydney LaPoint (St. Cloud State University, softball), Calvin Schilz (UW-Milwaukee, swimming) and Jed Baranczyk (North Dakota State University, golf) all will move on to the college ranks next season after leaving a lasting impression over the past four years at Bay Port.
Plumb, who played tight end for the 11-1 Pirates this past season, is projected to be a tackle for the Hawkeyes. The 6-foot-8, 250-pounder was a first-team selection in the Fox River Classic Conference.
“I can just focus on basketball right now,” said Plumb, who is currently averaging over 11 points a game for the No. 2 ranked Pirates. “Now that this is passed, we can focus on trying to get down to the Kohl Center and winning a state championship. Iowa is all settled in and perfect right now.”
To read more about the recruiting process and what Plumb is expecting, CLICK HERE.
LaPoint was the FRCC player of the year after her junior season when she finished with a 20-5 record in 157 innings pitched. She recorded 255 strikeouts, walked just 14 batters and had a 1.03 ERA. Opponents hit a paltry .135 off her, while she hit .407 from the plate herself.
“I love everything about St. Cloud State – the coaches, the team and the atmosphere,” said LaPoint. “It’s nice to have a place to go to where I know I’ll help the team. I’m glad it’s behind me so I can concentrate on this season.”
To read more about LaPoint’s decision and the recruiting process, CLICK HERE.
Schilz is currently swimming for Bay Port and is a part of two consecutive FRCC championship teams. He is also a two-time WIAA state qualifier and will be heading to Milwaukee a year after former teammate Ryan Hakes did the same.
“Ryan definitely encouraged me to go to Milwaukee,” said Schilz. “When I went there for a visit, everyone was loving, caring and the atmosphere was great. The coaches were also nice. I had a few other offers, but in the end I liked it here. I’m projected to swim the 200 IM, 200 Breaststroke and 400 IM.”
Baranczyk was the WIAA D1 state runner-up his junior year where he finished five shots out of the lead.
“The coach at NDSU is really great,” said Baranczyk, whose freshman sister Jo finished fifth at the WIAA state meet this past fall. “He was one of the coaches that really worked to get me to come there. They had a great freshman group last year and are really progressing forward as a team. I think it’ll be a great fit.”