Six Alpena athletes announced their college plans during a ceremony in front of friends, family and coaches at Alpena High School.

The six athletes and their colleges of choice are:

*Mitchell Day, Wake Forest for track and cross country

*Jasmyn Schultz, Alpena Community College for basketball

News Photo by James Andersen Alpena senior Trevor Roznowski, seated, signed with Ferris State University as a thrower on the track team. He was also recognized as an MHSAA Scholar Athlete finalist.

*Barrett Jones, Alma College for football

*Lizzy Heath, Spring Arbor University for golf

*Jessica Marwede, Spring Arbor University for softball

*Trevor Roznowski, Ferris State University for track

Over a four-year career, Day became one of the best runners in school history and announced his intention to sign with the Demon Deacons last year. The two-time state runner-up in cross country is the first Alpena athlete to sign with a Division 1 school in several years.

News Photo by James Andersen Alpena senior Jessica Marwede, seated center, signed last month with Spring Arbor University and will join the softball team.

Day will compete in both cross country and track for Wake Forest.

“Over the last two years, he’s been nothing but driven and working and building to give 110 percent in everything he does,” Alpena cross country coach Joy Bullis said. “This was hard for him, he had a lot of options on the table.”

Schultz has been a key player in the Alpena girls basketball team’s success in the last two seasons and was lauded by her coaches for her willingness to do anything for her team.

“I feel like I’ve been with her for six years on this journey,” Alpena co-girls basketball coach Steve McCourt said. “Kelley (Miko) and I took over the program and we had Jasmyn and Jessica (Marwede) in the post. This offseason we went to her and said we need you to play guard. She said ‘Ok, no problem.”

Marwede previously announced her intention to sign with Spring Arbor last month and will be reunited with former Alpena teammate Lauren Heath. Marwede will play first base for the Cougars and was praised by Alpena softball coach Paul Marwede said.

News Photo by James Andersen Alpena senior Barrett Jones, seated, signed with Alma College to play football.

“I’m super proud of not just Jessica, but all our softball players who go on to the next level,” Marwede said.

Lizzy Heath accomplished a lot in just two years of playing high school golf. In October, she became the second female golfer from Alpena to qualify for the state finals. She shot a career best 82 at regionals to qualify and has amazed her coaches with her quick progression.

“I want you to imagine starting two years ago. Flash forward and you just shot 82 at regionals. When I tell you Lizzy Heath is all about passionate and heart, there’s not a harder worker out there,” Alpena girls golf coach Mike Nunneley said. “She has the Alpena Wildcat heart. I can’t teach that, either you have it or you don’t.”

Jones was a defensive leader for the Wildcats under first-year coach Aaron Sims. Jones will enter a program coming off a 7-3 season, its best record in more than a decade.

“Barrett was one of the first guys I met when I got here. He’s got something special as far as a true love of the game,” Sims said. “No matter how hard I get after him, he’s always smiling.”

News Photo by James Andersen Alpena senior Lizzy Heath, seated, signed with Spring Arbor University and will join women's golf team.

Roznowski will join the Ferris State University track team as a thrower and was also recognized Wednesday for being a finalist for the MHSAA Scholar Athlete Award.

Jamie Bullis, Alpena’s throws coach, spoke glowingly of Roznowski’s reputation as a hard worker.

“(He’s the) first in last out. Practices, weight room, preseason. I tease him because we’ll work out and there’s a pool of sweat underneath him,” Bullis said. “I think it speaks to how hard he works.”

James Andersen can be reached via email at sports@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5694. Follow James on Twitter @ja_alpenanews.

Courtesy Photo
Alpena senior Mitchell Day signed with Wake Forest and will run cross country and track for the Demon Deacons.

News Photo by James Andersen
Six Alpena athletes announced their college plans on Wednesday during a ceremony at Alpena High School. The athletes and their college choices are: sitting: Jessica Marwede (Spring Arbor), Jasmyn Schultz (Alpena Community College) and Lizzy Heath (Spring Arbor); standing: Trevor Roznowski (Ferris State) and Barrett Jones (Alma). Not pictured is Mitchell Day who signed with Wake Forest.

News Photo by James Andersen
Alpena senior Lizzy Heath, seated, signed with Spring Arbor University and will join women’s golf team.

News Photo by James Andersen
Alpena senior Barrett Jones, seated, signed with Alma College to play football.

News Photo by James Andersen
Alpena senior Jessica Marwede, seated center, signed last month with Spring Arbor University and will join the softball team.

News Photo by James Andersen
Alpena senior Trevor Roznowski, seated, signed with Ferris State University as a thrower on the track team. He was also recognized as an MHSAA Scholar Athlete finalist.

News Photo by James Andersen
Alpena senior Jasmyn Schultz, seated, signed with Alpena Community College to play basketball.

News Photo by James Andersen Six Alpena athletes announced their college plans on Wednesday during a ceremony at Alpena High School. The athletes and their college choices are: sitting: Jessica Marwede (Spring Arbor), Jasmyn Schultz (Alpena Community College) and Lizzy Heath (Spring Arbor); standing: Trevor Roznowski (Ferris State) and Barrett Jones (Alma). Not pictured is Mitchell Day who signed with Wake Forest.

Courtesy Photo Alpena senior Mitchell Day signed with Wake Forest and will run cross country and track for the Demon Deacons.