FOUNTAIN CITY, Ind. – Northeastern student-athletes Ryan Hartmann, Harrison Rice and Garrett Schuler each announced their intentions to attend Earlham College on Wednesday.
Hartmann and Rice are joining the football program at the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference school, while Schuler will play golf.
“It’s a big day,” said Schuler, who is the son of Jeff and Sarah Schuler. “All three of us will be attending a great school. We’re all looking forward to furthering our education there and our sports careers.”
“They have a great (golf) coach in Matt Gehring,” added Schuler, who is expecting to study business management. “There’s a lot of opportunities.”
An All-Tri-Eastern Conference performer for three straight years, Schuler is looking forward to his final year with the Knights with his college choice behind him.
“It makes it easier,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about any decisions. I definitely want to work harder and get my game better make a run towards state.”
Northeastern golf coach Mark Bevins hopes Schuler’s success will help the entire golf program.
“Choosing a college is a real big decision, especially with all of the options he had available to him,” Bevins said. “He brings a work-ethic that I haven’t seen on a golf course in a long time. It’s a good benchmark for all of those younger guys.”
Hartmann and Rice were key components last fall as Northeastern won its fourth TEC title in a row.
“They are two of our greatest competitors,” Northeastern football coach Mike Roeder said. “They don’t like to lose. They make everyone around them believe that they are not going to lose. That leadership was appealing to (Earlham) coach (Nick) Johnson.”
“They’re both real tough kids,” Roeder added. “Harry manned the defensive line for three years and did it a very high level. Teams didn’t run on us up the middle.”
“Ryan would have had 1,000 yards (as a junior), if hadn’t been hurt and then went ahead and got it this year,” Roeder continued. “He is a relentless type of runner.”
Rice had 247 tackles during his four seasons to go with 11 sacks.
“It’s another chapter in my life that I’m starting,” Rice said of his decision to study business administration. “I felt that Earlham was the best choice for me academically.”
“I really love Earlham,” added Rice, who is the son of Harry and Diana Rice. “Coach Nick Johnson is awesome.”
Hartman led the Knights with 1,199 yards this season to finish with 2,568 in his career.
“I’m thankful for my high school coaches, my middle school (coaches) and Coach Johnson for getting this process through and making it happen,” said Hartmann, who is the son of Kurt and Vicki Hartmann.
“Earlham is a premiere school,” Hartmann added. “I’m hoping to go into Biology or Pre-Med.”