For three Alpena High School seniors, Lars MacArthur, Courtney Nunneley and Shelby Seaver, they fulfilled lifelong dreams and saw their hard work pay off as each of them made it official that they will be playing at the next level.

Family, friends, teammates and coaches gathered in the Alpena High School Media Center to celebrate and be a part of what was a special day for each the three Wildcat standouts.

“This is a day when we get to celebrate our athletes that have worked really hard for a long time and made a commitment to play at the next level,” Alpena High School Athletic Director Tim Storch said. “This year we are very fortunate to have three that are already committed and we are extremely proud of each one of them and wish them nothing but the best.”

MacArthur was a three year starting quarterback at Alpena and was recruited by Indiana Wesleyan University coach Jordan Langs. He will play the same position for a program that will enter its first year as a football team this fall.

Lars MacArthur

As a three year starter, MacArthur experienced an interesting career that involved a coaching change after he posted outstanding numbers under former Alpena coach Brad Moughon and his spread offense. Current head coach Aaron Sims took over a year later and brought with him a Wing-T offense, which limited MacArthur’s chances to throw the ball, but MacArthur showed tremendous leadership qualities along with continuing to be a standout.

“Obviously the spread offense and Wing-T offense is the polar opposite of each other, but I had to learn how to be a leader and a team player,” MacArthur said. “I wasn’t the center of the spotlight and I think ultimately it helped me make connections with my teammates that I will always remember and made memories that I won’t ever forget.”

MacArthur will have an opportunity to learn and compete for a starting job right away. MacArthur will remain a Wildcat at Wesleyan, but will change colors and go back to an offense that better fits his style of play as Langs will feature a spread offense.

“It’s exciting to be apart of a new program that they’re starting and it will be exciting to see where the program goes in a few years,” MacArthur said. “I’m fortunate that I get to start from the beginning. There will be four other quarterbacks on the roster that I will have to compete with and if I put in all of the hard work I think I can be the guy.”

Nunneley will continue her golf career at Saginaw Valley State University as she fulfills a dream that she has had since her childhood.

Courtney Nunneley

If Nunneley’s collegiate career ends up anything like her high school career did, she is in for another four special years.

Nunneley was one of the reasons why girls golf was brought back to Alpena. She spent three years as a Wildcat golfer and captained the team all three years. Nunneley was a 12-time top medalist, second team All-Big North Conference selection as a sophomore and junior and earned first team honors this past season.

In 2015 and 2017, Nunneley was named Lady Wildcat Golfer of the Year. She became the youngest women’s champion at the Alpena City Open in 2017, recorded the all-time low round of 78 at Alpena High School and finished her senior year with a regional title and trip to the state finals.

“I spent hours at the course and doing the little things that ultimately made the difference. I’m thankful for River’s Edge for allowing me to use the course so I could practice, because without them I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Nunneley said.

The golf season will begin in September and run through October and then pick up again March and continue on through May.

Shelby Seaver

Nunneley will be moving on to compete against some of the golfers in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and all of Division II beginning in the fall.

“My goal is to start playing as soon as I get there because only five get to go and it’s a 15-person team. My goal is to play on the level that I can and hopefully make it on that five person team,” Nunneley said.

Seaver will be staying in Alpena and continuing her athletic career as a Lumberjack and be a part off the Alpena Community College women’s volleyball team.

Seaver has been a leader in any sport that she competed in during her time as a Wildcat and despite suffering an injury that caused her to miss her entire senior season, Seaver was still recruited to play at ACC to play two more years of volleyball.

“I’m glad that I get a couple redemption years so I can prove myself and I know it’s not going to be the same, but I can work as hard as I can to get back to the level I was at before,” Seaver said. “It means a lot because I was really upset that I didn’t get to play my senior year and I wanted to help our team be better, but I’m glad I get another chance to play a sport that I love while staying at home.”