Sports
Faulkner signs three Bulldogs
By Kyle Austin - Sports Editor
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Holtville High School celebrated a banner day when three of its senior athletes committed to National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics school Faulkner University.
Bulldog offensive lineman Jordan Lewandowski signed on as part of the Eagles’ first-year football program.
“He’s worked hard to get where he is,” said Holtville head football coach Mike McCluskie. “Once he gets into a more regimented weight and practice schedule, I think he’ll have a chance to play.”
The offensive right guard spent part of the Bulldogs’ 2006 injured, missing several games. This season, he was hurt again, but he played through the pain, showing Faulkner coaches what kind of effort they could expect from him.
“He went to Faulkner for a visit, and they really seemed to like him,” McCluskie said. “They’re getting a good player; he’s the guy we would run behind in short-yardage situations.”
Lewandowski knows he has a lot of work to do to get some coveted playing time, especially on a first-year program.
“I’m not the biggest, strongest or fastest, but I’ll work hard,” he said. “To be part of the first graduating class of this football team, that’s an honor.”
Lewandowski said he had been considering an NAIA school for a while, even taking visits to two other schools.
“Faulkner just showed me more interest,” he said. “I’ve been to a few recruiting days over there, and I just like the coaches and the school so much.”
Holtville baseball players Seth Buck and Jacob Grizzell signed on to be a part of Faulkner’s baseball program.
Holtville High head baseball coach Chris Motes is one of his players’ biggest fans.
“I’m very happy for these guys,” he said. “I’m glad they will have a chance to keep playing and making themselves better.”
Buck will go to the Eagles as a pitcher. Motes said his effort will help take him a long way.
“Seth is one of those ‘max effort’ guys; nothing is half-speed with him,” he said. “If you’re throwing to first base in practice, the first baseman better not take his eye off the ball when Seth is throwing to him.”
Buck, who is 6-1 so far this season, has established himself as a strong player for the Bulldogs. A pure pitcher, Buck said he is excited for the chance to play for Faulkner.
“I’m really looking forward to playing at the next level,” he said. “I also like the school itself; there are small classes with a lot of one-on-one work with teachers, and I like that.”
Motes said Faulkner made a good choice with Buck.
“He’s one of the most consistent pitchers we have,” he said. “He always gives you a chance and can keep you in a game.”
As The Herald reported in February, Grizzell had originally intended to play baseball at Central Alabama Community College, but when head coach Don Ingram resigned last month, Grizzell re-examined his decision.
“When everything at CACC happened, I had to think about what was the best decision,” he said. “I had been keeping in contact (with Faulkner), and they said there would be a place for me, so I decided to go for it.”
The shortstop will play a similar position for the Eagles, and head coach Andy Priola said he is ready to get his two new players to campus.
“One advantage of NAIA is that (high school players) can come practice with us,” he said. “That helped give them a feel for what we do, and it helped us evaluate the players with the rest of our team. We liked what we saw from both of them.”
Each of the three Holtville seniors will report to Faulkner this summer.
