The Milford High School Department of Athletics is pleased to announce that 13 members of its Class of 2021 will continue their athletic careers on the collegiate level. The student-athletes that have committed to continuing their academic and athletic futures are: Jonathan “Bubba” Baker (Baseball-Huntington University), Beth Cook (Women’s Soccer-Hanover College), Olivia Craycraft (Softball-Washington University in St. Louis), Jared Frederick (Baseball-Mount St. Joseph University), Carson Geier (Men’s Lacrosse-Ohio Wesleyan University), Kaleb Gelter (Wrestling-Mount St. Joseph University), Mark Gibson (Football-Washington University in St. Louis), Jacob Haskins (Men’s Soccer-Robert Morris University), Tyler Hewlett (Baseball-Asbury University), Logan Horton (Track & Field-Muskingum University), Braden Pickett (Baseball-Iowa Western Community College), Zach Ruschell (Baseball-Ohio Northern University) and Morgan Whitaker (Women’s Volleyball-Mount St. Joseph University).

Baker is about to start his fourth season as a member of the Eagle Baseball program and his third as a varsity player. During his sophomore campaign, Baker was a regular in the infield for Milford, finishing the season with 11 RBI, six walks and two stolen bases in 26 games.

At Huntington, an NAIA program in Huntington, IN, Baker will play for head coach Mike Frame. Jonathan is the son of John Baker and Laura Schell-Baker.

Cook enjoyed an esteemed career in Milford Red & Black, twice earning All-Ohio second team honors as well as first team All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference accolades. As a senior, Cook was one of the most prolific scorers in the league, tying for first place in the ECC with 13 goals, while ranking fourth with 27 points. She had a knack for scoring goals in bunches with two goals in Milford wins over Oak Hills, Winton Woods, Kings and Ursuline.

At Hanover, an NCAA Division III program in Hanover, IN, Cook will play for head coach James Watts and join a roster that includes Milford alum Bryn Rolfsen. Beth is the daughter of Mike and Heidi Cook.

Craycraft has enjoyed an outstanding career, twice earning All-ECC honors, despite having her junior season wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a sophomore, Craycraft earned a berth on the league’s first team after she won the ECC batting title with a .557 average and stole a league-high 25 bases in 26 tries. The sophomore finished with 10 doubles, a team-high four triples and 18 RBI.

At Washington University in St. Louis, an NCAA Division III program, Craycraft will play for head coach Michelle Venturella. Olivia is the daughter of Kenneth and Sue Craycraft.

Frederick has been a member of the baseball program all three years at Milford and was poised for his first varsity season prior to the cancellation of the 2020 campaign. He has seen time as both a pitcher and an infielder during his career.

At Mount St. Joseph, an NCAA Division III program on Cincinnati’s West side, Frederick will play for head coach Jeff Newman. Jared is the son of Brett and Beth Frederick.

Geier earned second team All-ECC honors during his sophomore campaign after he led Milford with 28 goals scored. He added 11 assists during that campaign.

At Ohio Wesleyan, an NCAA Division III program in Delaware, Ohio, Geier will play for head coach Mike Plantholt. Carson is the son of Danny and Mandy Geier.

Gelter earned first team All-ECC accolades in the 182-pound weight class his junior year after winning the league crown and posting a 13-17 win-loss record with 10 pins. This winter, he’s accumulated an 14-3 record (nine pins) to date and is a three-year member of the varsity team.

At Mount St. Joseph, an NCAA Division III program on Cincinnati’s West side, Gelter will compete for head coach Charles Mason. Kaleb is the son of Gary and Sarah Gelter.

Gibson was a regular along the offensive line for the Eagles and spent his senior campaign as the starter at right guard. He helped pave the way for the third-highest scoring offense in the league and the fourth-best passing offense.

At Washington University in St. Louis, an NCAA Division III program, Gibson will play for head coach Aaron Keen. Mark is the son of Bruce and Laurel Gibson.

Haskins was exceptional of the pitch for the Eagles during his career, culminating with a place on the All-Great Lakes Region team, as selected by the United Soccer Coaches. He was also a second team All-Ohio and first team All-ECC recipient last fall. Haskins capped his senior year by scoring four goals and adding three assists to finish with a total of 11 points. He concludes his career as a four-time All-ECC selection, including a first team choice three times.

At Robert Morris, an NCAA Division I program in Moon Township, PA, Haskins will play for head coach Jason O’Keefe. Jacob is the son of Rob and Carrie Haskins.

Hewlett is a four-year member of the Eagle baseball program and will be a part of the varsity team for the third time this spring. As a sophomore, Hewlett appeared in three games as a back-up catcher, recording one walk and one run scored.

At Asbury, an NAIA program in Wilmore, KY, Hewlett will play for head coach Manny Cervantes. Tyler is the son of Robert and Datha Hewlett.

Horton specializes in the high jump for the Eagles and tied for the 12th-best mark in the league as a sophomore with a leap of 5’6”. His personal-best came as a freshman when he cleared 5’8”. As a freshman, he placed fourth in the event at the ECC Championships.

At Muskingum, an NCAA Division III program in New Concord, OH, Horton will compete for Director of Track & Field Operations Jacob Gleason and head coach Ashley Shaffer. Logan is the son of Matt and Holly Horton.

Pickett has played baseball throughout his Milford career and was a regular in the Eagle line-up as a sophomore. That season he hit .303 with eight doubles and seven RBI as an outfielder. He also appeared in 10 games (three starts) as a pitcher, compiling a 2-1 record and a 3.94 ERA in 21 innings of action.

At Iowa Western, a junior college located in Council Bluffs, IA, Pickett will play for head coach Marc Rardin. Braden is the son of Thomas and Kimberly Pickett.

Ruschell, like so many other spring athletes, was poised to enjoy his first varsity campaign last season, before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He’s been involved with baseball throughout his Milford career.

At Ohio Northern, an NCAA Division III program in Ada, Ohio, Ruschell will play for head coach Gene Stechschulte. Zach is the son of Sandy Ruschell.

Whitaker had a strong senior season for the Eagles, capped off by earning second team All-ECC honors. She was also picked as a Southwest District Senior Showcase Athlete. Last fall, Whitaker ranked 13th among ECC players with 212 kills and was second with 1,170 pass points.

At Mount St. Joseph, an NCAA Division III program located on Cincinnati’s West Side, Whitaker will play for head coach John Spinney. Morgan is the daughter of Evonne Whitaker.