River View holds signing day
Emmie Brenly, middle, will play soccer for Ohio Christian University. (Josie Sellers)
Jaxon Rinkes, center, will play baseball at Muskingum University. (Josie Sellers)
Justin Mason, center, will play baseball at Capital University.
Marie Stufflebean, will golf at Ohio Valley University. (Josie Sellers)
Several River View High School seniors had their college signing cancelled this spring when schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but on May 1 they finally got the chance to celebrate. Marie Stufflebean, Jaxon Rinkes, Emmie Brenly, and Justin Mason each took a turn celebrating their special moment in front of their high school.
Stufflebean will be attending Ohio Valley University, where she will compete on their golf team.
“It’s a pretty small school and that’s what I was looking for,” Stufflebean said. “My main goal when I started golf was to be able to get a scholarship.”
She played on the boys team in junior high and was part of the first girls only team at River View her freshman year.
“I hope they can continue to offer that,” Stufflebean said. “Golf made me really concentrate and want to get better.”
Marie’s father, Bill Stufflebean, coached her all through high school.
“It took a toll on our relationship for a while, but if I needed help my coach was only two feet away,” Marie said.
Bill said he really like the coach at Ohio Valley University and feels Marie will fit in well there.
“I’m super proud of her and it’s nice to see her be rewarded (for her hard work),” he said.
Marie’s mother, Amanda, agreed with Bill.
“I’m proud of her,” Amanda said. “She hit every goal she set out to achieve. It will be nice to have her close by too where she can drive home on weekends if she wants.”
Marie plans to double major in business management and forensic accounting.
Jaxon Rinkes and his family celebrated his commitment to Muskingum University.
“I’m glad we were able to have this (signing day),” Rinkes said. “It was a long process and it’s nice to have closure and be able to celebrate the other athletes too. I’m grateful for that.”
Rinkes’ parents, Chuck and Kelly Rinkes, both went to Muskingum and so did Kelly’s parents.
“I’ve walked all over the campus and fished in the lake there,” Jaxon said. “It felt like home.”
Kelly’s mom was a special education tutor at the university and her father was the chair of the education department.
“Muskingum Runs deep in our family history,” Kelly said.
Jaxon started out focusing on golf, but when he grew six inches and put on some weight baseball became his focus. Jaxon pitched for the Black Bears and plans to help his new team anyway he can.
“If they need me to do it, I’ll do it,” he said.
Jaxon plans to major in elementary health education and also become an intervention specialist.
River View Head Baseball Coach Jesse Smoulder said Jaxon is a competitor.
“He’s a great pitcher,” Smoulder said. “His stuff is very good.”
Brenly, the daughter of Wes and Renina Brenly, will head off to Ohio Christian University. She will play soccer for the Trailblazers and plans to major in early childhood education.
“She’s put a lot of work and time into playing soccer,” said Wes, who helped coach her in high school. “We all have as a family.”
He feels Ohio Christian will be a good fit for Emmie.
“It has the Christian fundamentals we value as a family and its small,” Wes said. “I think it will suit her well.”
Ohio Christian University’s coach Jake Warren also attended the signing. He added that Emmie will help make the team better and has the type of character they look for.
Emmie likes that Ohio Christian is small and is a place she can grow in her faith while also continuing to play soccer.
“I always wanted to play in college,” she said. “I enjoy competing and I like staying fit and running.”
Emmie played midfielder and forward for River View Head Coach Dave Kridler.
“I never doubted that she would play at the next level,” he said. “She is going to be very helpful to her new school and quite hard to replace.”
Emmie has a few words of encouragement for her younger teammates who might also want to play at the next level.
“Don’t take anything for granted and give 110 percent every time you step on the field,” she said.
Another baseball player, Justin Mason, signed his letter of intent to continue his athletic career at Capital University where he will study business and sports management.
“I took a lot of visits to different schools, but I really enjoyed Capital,” Mason said. “I have to thank the coaching staff and my family for helping me get here.”
He played multiple positions for River View included pitcher.
“It’s cool to see him do this (sign today),” said Smoulder. “He put in a lot of hard work to get where he is today. He’s a very good infielder, has played some outfield and when he decided he wanted to pitch he developed into a nice one. He will do whatever it takes to help the team.”
Joel Mason, Justin’s dad, is happy to see him move on with baseball.
“He’s been surrounded by good people who had his best interest at heart,” Joel said. “Now it’s time for him to take what they’ve given him and move forward.”
Justin’s mom Carrie Carpenter shared that he actually didn’t start playing baseball until eighth grade.
“He decided he wanted to go out and play,” she said. “He worked hard and it’s good to see him get what he wants in life.”
Category: High School, Sports
