GRANITEQUARRY It seems strange to think that Danny Misenheimer wont be
putting on the football pads anymore.But
thats the future for the East Rowan hulk, who decided last week to sign a full
scholarship with Appalachian State.
Thats Appalachian States wrestling
not football team.
He will also perform for the track team and will
sign the grant-in-aid during the April signing period.
Misenheimer, a 6-0, 250-pounder, had some major
decisions to make mulling over his choices as far as the next level. Schools wanted him
for just football. Schools wanted him for wrestling. Schools wanted him for track.
Some, like Sacred Heart University in Connecticut
offered a package where he could play all three.
But Misenheimer, who said Sacred Heart was just a
bit too far away and a bit too cold for his taste, is now a Mountaineer.
And if there is anyone who looks like a
Mountaineer, its the rough-and-tumble Misenheimer.
I really liked it up there, he said of
the clean air of Boone. Ifeel I have more options in wrestling and track. One of my
teammates (Steve Fox) is going up there with me.
Misenheimer is currently undefeated at 41-0 for
Easts wrestling team and is the favorite to win the 3A state title next week in
Charlotte.
In track, he has personal bests of 56-5 in the
shot put and 145 feet in the discus.
At ASU, he could step right in and be a factor.
The wrestling team didnt have a heavyweight last season. In track, the skys
the limit.
Its looking real good for me up
there, Misenheimer said. Theyve won the conference championship six
years in a row in wrestling and in track, Ill probably be one of their No. 1 guys.
Ive got a chance to win the conference
in both sports next year.
Along with Sacred Heart, Virginia Military Academy
offered a scholarship for all three sports. Wofford offered a package for track and
football.
Although he wont play for Jerry Moores
perennial topdogs of the Southern Conference on the gridiron, football wont
disappear forever, he said.
I ll be able to come back and coach
football and still be a part of the sport, said Misenheimer, who intends to follow
dad Darrell, a former all-star athlete and current East Rowan coach into that profession.
Its just now hitting me that Im never going to put on another football
uniform. Its going to be rough.
n
North Rowan quarterback Mario Sturdivant, the
starter in last seasons Shrine Bowl, is still weighing his options. There are plenty
of schools wanting him for football but he might end up in junior college or follow former
Cavalier quarterback Mitch Ellis to Fork Union if he doesnt get the SAT scores he
wants.
North basketball coach Kelly Everhart thinks
Sturdivant, who is averaging 10.3 points per game, can play that sport in college.
Winston-Salem State is one of the schools talking to Sturdivant about playing both.