By Tori Wittenbrock/Shane Fitzsimmons
ASHWAUBENON – On Nov. 8, National Signing Day rolled around for all future college athletes across the country.
Ashwaubenon High School advanced two athletes to the next level to compete in college athletics at the school of their choice.
Junior Sienna Nitke signed her National Letter of Intent to attend Purdue as a swimmer.
“It feels really nice to know that I am going to go somewhere where I can swim at a higher level and have all kinds of fun resources to help me,” said Nitke. “It just feels kind of like home there.”
“I just knew immediately when I was there that I wanted to go there. The swim team was amazing and the coach was amazing and it was pretty natural to be there.”
Nitke intends to study biology for pre-medicine while at Purdue.
Nitke’s parents, Jason and Leah Nitke, said they were immensely proud of their daughter for her accomplishments.
“She’s a very good student as well,” said Leah. “She may want to go to medical school one day, so that’s also exciting. She’s a highly motivated girl, so I think she could do it if she wants to.”
“She’s been very self-motivated since she was a little kid, not just with swimming, but with school. She’s a great student and an even better student-athlete. I think it will work really well for her when she gets to college,” said Jason.
Eason Hurd of Ashwaubenon also signed his letter of intent. Hurd is a senior this year who will attend Creighton University next fall for baseball.
“When I went to the campus, I absolutely loved it. It fit me and my personality,” said Hurd. “The coaches that were recruiting me were really helpful throughout the whole process and really showed me that they wanted me to go there, and ultimately it was my favorite option of all the places I could go.”
“I’m very excited, and looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me.” said Hurd. “I think that I can go to Creighton and really make an impact. All of this hard work I’m putting in is really going to pay off.”
Hurd will major in finance with the goal of studying financial advising.
Eason’s parents, John and Kirsten Hurd, said that they, too, are proud of his athletic and academic accomplishments.
“It’s been a long journey for Eason. He’s been a kid that has loved baseball from the time he was young and it’s been a goal of his to be able to play college baseball. He’s worked hard every day of his life to get to this point,” said Jason.
“It’s very rewarding. It’s been fun, but I can’t wait to see him play at the next level and follow him through that,” said Kirsten.
“Eason is a great student. We never have to tell him and his sister to do their homework. They know that that’s the priority,” said Jason.
After signing their letters, Nitke and Hurd look forward to their collegiate careers, both athletically and academically.