EditorÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s note: The following story is part of a series of updates on former high school stars from the Tri-State playing in college or professionally.
Ohio features 126 colleges and universities. High school stars from the Tri-State have found success at some of them. Following is a look at six:
Reece Barnitz, Wright State track and cross country, Fairland HS. The freshman made an immediate impact on the Raiders, finishing first in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 12:17.36 at the Otterbein Twilight Invitational. In the 6,000-meter run at the NCAA Great Lakes regional, Barnitz ran 24:52.7, good for 214th. She placed 81st in the Horizon League championships in the 6,000 meters in 24:19.8.
Mikal Dawson, Akron basketball, Huntington HS. Dawson played in 35 games, starting 13 as a senior. The 6-foot-6 wing averaged 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds a game. Dawson shot 33.2% percent from the field, 28.8% from 3-point range. In April, Dawson joined MarshallÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s team as a graduate transfer.
Tomi Hinkle, Tiffin basketball, Fairland HS. A 5-foot-6 freshman guard, Hinkle started two of 28 games in which she played. She averaged 4.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists per outing. She made 27% of her shots, 25% from 3-point range. Hinkle scored a season-high 15 points against Northwood.
Mikie Lieving, Ohio softball, Wahama HS. The freshman pitcher went 11-6 with a 2.76 earned run average, appearing in 28 games, starting 21. She hurled two shutouts and eight complete games. In 124 innings, Lieving gave up 148 hits, struck out 71 and walked 38. Foes batted .290.
Keegan Moore, Ohio softball, Ironton HS. A sophomore pitcher, Moore went 1-2 with a 5.02 ERA last season. She appeared in five games, starting two, In 15 innings, Moore allowed 24 hits, fanned 15 and walked seven. Opponents batted .353.
Braden Shepherd, Marietta baseball, Huntington HS. The sophomore righthander pitched in seven games, starting four, and went 0-1 with a 6.88 ERA last season. In 17 innings, Shepherd allowed 18 hits, struck out 11 and walked 11. Opposing batters hit .290. Shepherd entered the transfer portal after the season.
Tim Stephens is a sports writer with The Herald-Dispatch.