6 Iron athletes sign National Letters of Intent

Check out the Inkspot’s Q & A with the athletes and their career highlights

Zachary Knox-Doyle and Brantley Dumas II • Nov 10, 2023

Six of Normal Community’s student athletes signed their commitment letters to play Division I and Division II athletics next year after school Nov. 7 in the cafeteria.

Six Ironmen are headed to college to continue their athletic careers, signing National Letters Of Intent on Thursday, Nov 8.

Recognized at the after-school event were four future Division I athletes: Oregon commit Ali Ince (womens track & field), future Louisville Cardinal Ethan Eberle (baseball), soon to be Wright State Raider Jaheem Webber (mens basketball), and Grand Canyon commit Olivia Price (womens volleyball) and two student-athletes headed to Division II: McKendree University commit Olivia Corson (womens basketball) and future Colorado State University-Pueblo ThunderWolf Marisol Martinez (womens lacrosse).

Check out the Inkspot’s Q & A with the athletes and their career highlights below.

Photo Courtesy of: Mr. Nic Kearfott

Ali Ince - University of Oregon - Womens Track & Field

Q & A

Q: With multiple schools interested in you, what was the college selection process like?
A: [The] process started a year and a half ago… For like six or seven months of talking to coaches on the phone I decided [ which schools] I wanted to visit officially. I visited six schools this fall [which] ended up leading to the decision of Oregon.

Q: What schools did you visit?
A: Clemson, Oklahoma State, Alabama, Penn State, Texas and Oregon.

Q: What drew you to Oregon?
A: “The main thing I'm looking forward to is having girls train with that are amazing. The people at Oregon right now I look up to, so to be able to train with them is awesome.
And then also the coaching,... [to be coached by an Olympian is] pretty crazy. They're just so knowledgeable.”

Q: What role did Oregon’s legacy as a running powerhouse play in your choice?
A: “It's like Tracktown, USA. It's special there. To be surrounded by a community who love running will be awesome.”

Q: Have you met any of your future teammates?
A: “I met the team on the official visit and [some of] the girls going into Oregon. There are two twins from Texas who I've raced against who were good friends, so it'll be fun to be teammates.”

Q: What do you hope to accomplish with the Ducks?
A: “It would be really cool to win a National Championship with the team, but also individually. That's something I was looking for in college, a team that can be really competitive as a whole.”

Q: What are you looking to accomplish in your sport during college and beyond?
A: “[I want to] push my boundaries, see how fast I can go. The Olympics, 2028, that’s something [I’m] gonna shoot for.”

CAREER PERSONAL BESTS

400 meter: 54.91
800 meter: 2:03.17
1500 meter: 4:22.39
1600 meter: 4:40.86
1 Mile: 4:43.67

BIG WINS

Brooks PR Invitations: 1st place - 800 Meter; 2020, 2021 and 2022
2022 Illinois Gatorade Player
2022 New Balance Indoor Nationals - 1st place 800 Meter
School Records in 400 meter, 800 meter, 1600 meter, 3200 meter

Photo Courtesy of: Mr. Nic Kearfott

Ethan Eberle - University of Louisville - Mens Baseball

Q & A

Q: You played on varsity for the Ironmen all four years of your high school career, what are you looking forward to over the course of your collegiate career?
A: “I’m looking forward to developing [and] getting experience. As a freshman it's not always easy, but by the time I’m a senior, I'm leading a team and mentoring freshmen and being a leader.”

Q: What are your goals as you head to Louisville, a team that has made the College World Series five times since 2007?
A: “Win a few Regionals and win a National Championship–that's always the goal. [But also] have fun, that's really an accomplishment.”

Q: What do you know about the rest of the Cardinals roster?
A: “I met some of the players. I met all of the guys who are signing today, and they're all great guys. I'm looking forward to [playing with them].”

2023 STANDOUT STATS

8-1 record
114 strikeouts in 218 batters faced
A 5:1 strikeout to walk ratio with just 20 walks
0.36 ERA, 0.90 opponent batting average in 58 innings

2023 ACCOLADES

First team 4A All-State - Illinois Baseball Coaches Association
First team All-State - Chicago Sun Times
First team All-State - Prep Baseball Report
Unanimous Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year
First team Big 12 All-Conference

Photo Courtesy of: Mr. Nic Kearfott

Jaheem Webber - Wright State University - Mens Basketball

Q & A

Q: What offers did you receive before deciding to play for Wright State?
A: “I had offers to ISU, Bradley, Southern Illinois. After my junior year, I got offers from Cal Poly, Loyola Maryland and Wright State.“

Q: What led to the decision to suit up for the Raiders?
A: ”On my visits, I felt at home. It's a great program with good coaches who care about you. It's a place where I can go and contribute and get some wins too.”

Q: What are your goals when you don the green and gold?
A: “Hopefully, we can make a run to the NCAA tournament. That's a dream that every college player has.”

2022-23 SEASON STATS

13.2 Points per Game
7.9 Rebounds per Game
1.5 Blocks per Game

2022-23 ACCOLADES

First team Big 12 All-Conference
Third team 4A All-State - Illinois Basketball Coaches Association
5th all-time Ironmen blocks leader - 85
3rd all-time Ironmen blocks in a season - 60

Photo Courtesy of: Mr. Nic Kearfott

Olivia Price - Grand Canyon University - Womens Volleyball

Q & A

Q: How do you feel about your decision to attend Grand Canyon University?
A: “It's definitely far from home. So that's going to be an adjustment.”

Q: What are you looking forward to about playing for the Antelopes?
A: “I'm really looking forward to working with new people who have the same goals as me and want to achieve the same things.”

Q: What are your collegiate goals?
A: “I'd love to go to the NCAA Tournament.”

CAREER STATS

Assists: 1,277
Kills: 427
Aces: 111
Digs: 359
Blocks: 103

2023 ACCOLADES

First team Big 12 All-Conference
Second team 4A All-State - Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association
Academic All-State selection - Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association
2x All-Tournament selection

Photo Courtesy of: Mr. Nic Kearfott

Olivia Corson - McKendree University - Womens Basketball

Q & A

Q: What were some leading factors that led to your commitment to McKendree University?
A: “I really liked the campus and the coaching staff was so welcoming to me when I went on my visit.”

Q: What do you hope to gain from your time at McKendree University?
A: “I hope to enjoy my experience down there and to make the most of the opportunities I'm given.”

2022-23 SEASON AVERAGES

11.9 Points per Game
4 Rebounds per Game
2.5 Assists per Game
2.3 Steals per Game

2022-23 ACCOLADES

Second team 4A All-State - Illinois Basketball Coaches Association
First team Big 12 All-Conference

Photo Courtesy of: Mr. Nic Kearfott

Marisol Martinez - Colorado State University-Pueblo - Womens Lacrosse

Q & A

Q: Why did you decide to suit up for the ThunderWolves next season?
A: “Going to Colorado State University [Pueblo] just felt like home.”

Q: How do you feel about attending Colorado University-Pueblo?
A: “I’m super excited.I get to go back [to where I'm from] and meet new people.”

Q: What are you most excited for, and what do you hope to accomplish?
A: “I’m looking forward to playing lacrosse at the next level, and hope to be a leader and contribute as a person and teammate.”

2023 SEASON STATS

10 Goals
17 Shots On Goal
.588 Shot Percentage
3 Turnovers Caused
10 Draw Controls

2023 ACCOLADES

Big 12 Conference Scholar-Athlete Award
IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award

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About the Contributors

Zachary Knox-Doyle, Sports Editor

Zachary Knox-Doyle is a senior at Normal Community High School and plays on the school's tennis team. He is sports editor for the Inkspot. One of my biggest inspirations is Stacie King, the color commentator for the Chicago Bulls. He has a unique voice, catchy slogan, and encompasses skills I strive to achieve as a color commentator. "Give me that HOT SAUCE!" The best advice I've received is to create something that makes a wave, one must venture outside of the box to begin the ripple.

Brantley Dumas II, Senior Staff Reporter

Brantley Dumas is a senior at Normal Community High School. He is the president Black Student Union and is on the varsity bowling team. He is a second-year Staff Reporter on the Inkspot. If I were to win a million dollars I would definitely pay for college, then buy all the shoes and clothes I could ever want. I enjoy fashion, making and listening to music and anime. So, if you like any of those we can probably be friends. My biggest pet peeve is when people chew too loud. Gross.