The Milford High School Department of Athletics is pleased to announce that 19 additional members of its Class of 2023 will continue their athletic careers on the collegiate level. The student-athletes that have committed to continuing their academic and athletic futures are: Matt Bloom (Football-Mount St. Joseph University), Mahlik Boben (Football-Fairmont State University), Kristen Burns (Women’s Soccer-Maryville College), Chris Dawson (Baseball-Wittenberg University), Maris Gooch (Cheerleading-University of Cincinnati), Hunter Gulaskey (Cheerleading-University of Cincinnati), Austin Holman (Wrestling-Colorado School of Mines), Elliot Hore (Men’s Soccer-Trine University), Michael Kirk (Baseball-Wabash Valley College), Tofa Luani (Football-University of Cincinnati), Toto Luani (Football-Thomas More University), Grace Mangino (Women’s Soccer-Anderson (IN) University), Cole Miller (Football-Concord University), Abby Phillips (Women’s Water Polo-Long Island University Brooklyn), Will Reid (Football-Wittenberg University), Marlee Scanlon (Women’s Soccer-New York University), Nathan Webster (Football-Ohio Dominican University), Catie Willson (Cheerleading-Bowling Green State University) and Lily Wright (Women’s Swimming-Ohio Northern University).

Bloom was an integral piece of the Eagles’ offensive line as a two-year starter at left guard. As a senior, he earned second team All-ECC honors as part of an o-line that helped Milford rank second in the league with 352.3 yards of total offense per game.

At MSJ, an NCAA Division III program on Cincinnati’s West Side, Bloom will play for head coach Tyler Hopperton. Matt is the son of Monica and Brandon Taylor.

Another key piece of Milford’s football success as a two-year starter at center was Boben. His list of accolades as a senior was lengthy including second team All-Ohio, first team All-ECC and All-District, Cincinnati Enquirer All-Star first team and postseason All-Tristate Football second team.

At Fairmont State, an NCAA Division II program in Fairmont, WV, Boben will play for head coach Jason Woodman. Mahlik is the son of Julie Pugh.

Burns continued the strong run of talented Milford goalkeepers in the Eagles’ girls soccer program, earning second team All-ECC honors as a senior. She capped the campaign leading the league with nine shutouts and ranking second with 137 saves as Milford captured ECC and OHSAA District Championships.

At Maryville, an NCAA Division III program in Maryville, TN, Burns will play for head coach Pepe Fernandez. Kristen is the daughter of Mike and Danielle Burns.

Dawson’s first varsity baseball season was a good one for the Eagles as he earned honorable mention All-ECC honors. Making eight appearances, including three starts on the mound, Dawson picked up a pair of wins with a 2.80 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 20 innings.

At Wittenberg, an NCAA Division III program in Springfield, Ohio, Dawson will play for head coach Brian McGee. Chris is the son of Scott and Kristen Dawson.

Gooch was a four-year member of the Milford Sideline Cheer Team for both football and basketball and a three-year member of Milford’s Competition Cheer Team. She was also a two-year member of Milford’s Dance Team for both pom and hip hop. She helped Milford win UCA Cheer Nationals her sophomore year, won four state championships and three ECC Cheer Championships during her career. Gooch also won two ECC Dance Championships. She is a six-time UCA All-American and was named Ohio Cheerleader of the Week during her sophomore year.

At Cincinnati, Gooch will compete for head coach Tabby Fagan. Maris is the daughter of Tom and Melissa Gooch.

Gulaskey will take on cheerleading on the collegiate level after competing for the Milford football team as a prep. He really came into his own as a senior on his way to second team All-ECC honors. He finished tied for ninth in the league and first on the team with 5.5 sacks, while recording 10 tackles for loss and an interception return for a touchdown.

At Cincinnati, Gulaskey will compete for head coach Tabby Fagan. Hunter is the son of Ronald and Rebecca Gulaskey.

Holman has been outstanding on the mat for the Eagles, earning second team All-ECC honors as a junior in the 165-pound weight class. He qualified for districts as a junior and is closing in on becoming just the eighth Milford wrestler in history with 100 career wins.

At Colorado School of Mines, an NCAA Division II program in Golden, CO, Holman will compete for head coach Austin DeVoe. Austin is the son of Luke and Andrea Holman.

Hore was an important part of a young Milford team last fall, spearheading the Eagles’ defensive efforts. In helping Milford to a 10-7-0 record, Hore earned All-ECC honorable mention accolades.

At Trine, an NCAA Division III program in Angola, IN, Hore will play for head coach David Jacobs. Elliot is the son of Andrew and Denise Hore.

Kirk has been a two-year starting infielder for the Eagles who last spring earned second team All-ECC accolades. His .408 batting average topped the Eagles and was third-best among qualifying players in the league. Kirk was also in the top-10 in the league in both hits (29) and RBI (19).

At Wabash Valley, a junior college in Mt. Carmel, IL, Kirk will play for head coach Aaron Biddle. Michael is the son of George Huesman and Kathy Kirk.

Tofa Luani will go down as one of the top Milford defensive players ever, capped off with a senior season to remember. Tofa’s lengthy list of honors includes second team All-Ohio, first team All-District, All-ECC and Cincinnati Enquirer All-Star, All-Tristate Football honorable mention and a finalist for the Cincinnati High School Sports Defensive Player of the Year Finalist. He was also all-conference second team as a sophomore and set the Milford school record with 14 career sacks.

At Cincinnati, Tofa will be a preferred walk-on and play for head coach Scott Satterfield. Tofa is the son of Soane and Fifita Tau.

Toto Luani was also a two-time All-ECC honoree during his career, ascending to first team status as a senior. His final season also saw him earn All-Ohio honorable mention, second team All-District and first team Cincinnati Enquirer All-Star. Toto’s senior stats included 60 tackles, including eight for loss, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

At Thomas More, an NCAA Divion II program in Crestview Hills, KY, Toto will play for head coach Chris Norwell. Toto is the sone of Soane and Fifita Tau.

Mangino was part of a stellar Milford defense that yielded just 19 goals in 21 matches, including nine shutouts. The Eagles won both ECC and OHSAA District Championships last fall.

At Anderson, an NCAA Division III program in Anderson, IN, Mangino will play for head coach Jennifer Myhre. Grace is the daughter of Heath and Jennifer Mangino.

Miller was a defensive force on Milford’s ECC Champion squad on his way to second team All-ECC honors as a senior. For the season, Miller ranked second on the team and fifth in the ECC with 92 tackles. He added 6.5 tackles for loss, including a pair of sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered one.

At Concord, an NCAA Division II program in Athens, WV, Miller will play for head coach Brian Ferguson. Cole is the son of Joe and Shanna Miller and Crystal Glover.

Phillips was outstanding both offensively and defensively starting every game last fall. On offense, she finished the campaign with 24 goals, while tallying 60 steals on D.

At LIU-Brooklyn, an NCAA Division I program in Brooklyn, NY, Phillips will play for head coach Gabby Juarez. Abby is the daughter of Andy and Vicky Phillips.

Reid was a starting safety on Milford’s undefeated regular season and ECC Champion football team and a member of one of the program’s most successful senior classes ever. Last fall, Reid finished sixth on the Eagles with 53 tackles and shared team-high honors in both interceptions (3) and pass break-ups (10).

At Wittenberg, an NCAA Division III program in Springfield, OH, Reid will play for head coach Jim Collins. Will is the son of Robert and Louise Reid.

Scanlon capped a great career with two straight All-ECC awards, including first team as a senior. In the Fall of 2023, she tied for sixth in the ECC with eight assists, while adding four goals. Her efforts helped Milford to ECC and OHSAA District Championships.

At NYU, an NCAA Division III program in New York City, Scanlon will play for head coach Scott Waddell. Marlee is the daughter of Thomas and Joann Scanlon.

Webster’s one and only season at Milford was historic as he accumulated the second-most rushing yards in a season (1,281) in school history despite missing one game. He ranked third in the ECC in yards and was second with 19 touchdowns. His awards list includes: ECC Offensive Player of the Year, first team All-Ohio, finalist for Cincinnati High School Sports and Tristate Football Offensive Player of the Year, first team All-District and Cincinnati Enquirer All-Star and third team All-Tristate Football.

At Ohio Dominican, an NCAA Division II program in Columbus, Webster will play for head coach Kelly Cummings. Nathan is the son of Nathaniel Webster and Lanitra Nunley.

Willson is a four-year member of the Milford Sideline Cheer Team for both football and basketball and a three-year member of Milford’s Competition Cheer Team. She also was a two-year member of Milford’s Dance Team for both pom and hip hop. In cheer, Willson has won a national championship, four state titles, and three ECC championships. She also won two ECC Dance Championships and is a three-time UCA All-American. Last summer, Willson was also the UCA Varsity Jump Off Champion.

At Bowling Green, an NCAA Division I program in Bowling Green, OH, Willson will compete for head coach Tyler Bill. Catie is the daughter of Tom and Allison Willson.

Wright has been a regular contributor throughout her Milford career. As a junior, she earned honorable mention All-ECC honors for her performance in the 500 freestyle. She recently helped the Eagles’ 200 freestyle relay to a fifth place finish at the ECC Championships, while placing seventh in both the 200 and 500 freestyle events.

At Ohio Northern, an NCAA Division III program in Ada, OH, Wright will compete for head coach Austin Veltman. Lily is the daughter of Jeff and Carrin Wright.

This group joins 11 other Class of 2024 members who announced college commitments earlier this school year. Further signee information will be shared throughout the 2023-24 academic year as it is finalized.