Cody Jones/Summit Daily News
It’s been a crazy year for student-athlete signings at Summit High School, and it’s only fitting that there were three more signings ahead of Summit’s graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 27th.
In the last week seniors Owen Gallo, Dom Remeikis and Jack Schierholz have all signed deals with their school of choice to continue their education and sport at the collegiate level.
Gallo, a star football player from Summit, signed with Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota where he gets an opportunity to play in Division III.
Gallo has been a cornerstone of the Summit boys’ soccer program for the past two seasons and helped guide the team to the semi-finals of the Class 4A state soccer tournament last fall.
With a total of 15 goals and 13 assists, he recorded the most goals and assists for the team over the course of the season. Gallo also acted as team captain and centered the team’s offensive unit on many occasions during the game.
Gallo is honored to pursue his dream of playing next-level football for Concordia College Cobbers.
“It’s always been one of my goals and dreams to continue playing football once I’m done playing football here at Summit,” Gallo said. “It’s great to know that all my hard work and love for the game continues to be put to good use. I’m really looking forward to showing what I can do somewhere else.”
Gallo was drawn to Concordia College because of the hospitality of the team and coaches during his visit.
“What struck me was the hospitality and inclusivity of the team and the coach,” Gallo said. “The trainer was very helpful with the recruitment process and gave me several different appointments and weekends to come by and get to know the team.”
Gallo said he looks forward to new beginnings and opportunities in the years to come while studying International Economics and External Relations.
“I’m excited for the opportunities it brings,” Gallo said. “Being able to study something that interests me instead of raw subjects like in high school.”
Owen Gallo/Photo courtesy
Days after concluding his senior track and field season with third and fourth place finishes at the Colorado State track and field meet, Remeikis officially signed a contract with the Air Force Academy on Wednesday, May 24 in front of family and friends.
At the event, cross-country head coach Mike Hagen underlined what a huge accomplishment signing Remeikis was and how the senior has persevered throughout his high school running career.
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Remeikis hasn’t been able to see the improvements he and Hagen were hoping for for a long time, but in the last two years Remeikis has really found his way. In his final high school track season, Remeikis broke the school’s 3,200-meter record, made it onto the podium in two events at the state track and field meeting, and managed just seconds to become the school record holder in two other events.
After struggling with so much insecurity and self-doubt, Remeikis is relieved that he’s finally achieved his middle school dream of running for Division I.
“I’m thrilled,” said Remeikis. “It’s a goal I’ve had since I started cross-country and track training in middle school. There were definitely a lot of moments where I thought maybe it wasn’t possible due to obstacles and lack of performance. I just kept going and was kindly offered an appointment and a position on the Air Force Academy team.”
Remeikis will join the Air Force Academy’s highly competitive cross-country and track teams, which he expects will both spur and challenge him. Remeikis can’t wait to be part of this view when he steps onto campus.
“I’m looking forward to working my ass off,” said Remeikis. “There will be a whole lot of people to run with. From what I’ve seen, the team has a really good dynamic and work ethic, so I’m looking forward to making new friends and competing at an even higher level.”
Remeikis plans to study aerospace engineering at the Air Force Academy.
Cody Jones/Summit Daily News
Joining Remeikis on the signing was Schierholz, who after an incredible fall football season decided to officially call Marshall University home for the next four years.
Schierholz served as the starting quarterback for Summit football for the past two seasons, ultimately leading the team to some of its best seasons in recent history. This fall, Schierholz and the Tigers made the 3A State Playoffs and hosted a home playoff game for the first time in over 14 years.
Schierholz averaged 3,464 yards, 34 touchdown passes and an average of 144.3 yards per game during his high school football career
Beyond his game on the soccer field, Schierholz was extremely competitive in three other Summit High School sports, including basketball, baseball, and track and field.
That spring, Schierholz helped lead the baseball team to its first appearance in a 4A state baseball tournament and broke the school record in the 100-yard dash.
Despite accepting other offers, Schierholz chose Marshall University because of the coaching staff and an overwhelming feeling that he would be valued playing Division I football there.
“It was really an opportunity to compete at the highest level,” said Schierholz. “I wanted to go where I’m really needed and where I feel valued. Getting from Summit High School to a Division I program is really exciting and has always been the goal. Finally doing that is really fulfilling and feels great.”
Schierholz plans to major in either business administration or physiology while attending Marshall University in West Virginia. The Marshall University Thundering Herd plays teams like Appalachian State, James Madison and Coastal Carolina as part of the Sun Belt Conference.
