Subsequent Degree
Mars’ Connor Hartle (proper) tracks down Indiana quarterback Trevor Smith and makes a sort out within the groups’ recreation at Mars Athletic Advanced in 2022. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle
It’s the time of yr when 1000’s of highschool athletes throughout the nation select the place they’ll proceed their tutorial and athletic careers.
For 2 Butler County soccer gamers, the vacation spot is California (Pa.).
Seneca Valley offensive lineman Roman Royal and Mars defensive finish Connor Hartle had been two of 35 gamers added to the Vulcans’ roster on Wednesday.
“We’re thrilled to introduce our 2024 class, as these younger males are nice individuals, college students and gamers,” mentioned Cal head coach Gary Dunn in a launched assertion. “I am pleased with the work that our teaching employees put in to construct relationships with this group. I want to thank our admissions division and full athletic administration for serving to us signal an amazing class. I can not anticipate these younger males to reach for coaching camp and construct on the custom of Vulcan Soccer.”
Royal (6-foot-4, 285 kilos), additionally a wrestler at SV, began at proper sort out for the Raiders the final two years and Cal sees him taking part in the identical place in faculty.
“The most important transformation I noticed in Roman got here between his junior wrestling season and once we began summer time camp final August,” mentioned SV soccer coach Ron Butschle. “His decrease half is already developed and when his higher half catches up, he’ll be a 300-pound dominant sort out.
“Footwork, fingers, effort and management … he has all of it.”
Royal started attending soccer camps to enhance previous to his sophomore season.
“It was the subsequent yr as a junior at these camps, I used to be constantly being pulled apart by Division II coaches. They had been telling me what they appreciated about me and that’s after I realized I had an opportunity to play at that degree.”
Earlier than making his resolution, Royal additionally thought-about two different PSAC colleges — Mercyhurst and Seton Hill — together with Youngstown State.
“I appreciated the coaches at Cal, the amenities and their advertising program. That’s what I will likely be majoring in. I used to be capable of verify off all of the containers there.
“I really like soccer and hoped to discover a college that supplied me cash to assist pay for my training. I discovered it with Cal.”
Throughout his junior and senior seasons at Mars, Hartle tallied 149 tackles and 34 stops behind the road of scrimmage, together with 18 sacks. His play helped the Planets attain the WPIAL Class 4A semifinals this previous fall.
Hartle additionally thought-about Seton Hill, Saint Vincent, Westminster and Grove Metropolis. He will likely be a most well-liked walk-on at Cal with the possibility to earn scholarship cash.
“He was a diamond within the tough,” mentioned Mars coach Eric Kasperowicz. “He has an enormous body, however is undersized (6-3, 180) for his place. He can simply placed on 30 to 40 kilos.
“It was an incredible pleasure to teach Connor the final two years. He was good towards the run and even higher versus the cross. He’ll be powerful to exchange, no doubt.”
Hartle, who plans to main in finance, will play exterior linebacker for the Vulcans.
“Within the system they run, I will likely be an edge rusher and that’s similar to what I performed in highschool.”
“I used to be informed I’ll be red-shirted and I’m glad that’s what they plan to do with me,” he mentioned. “That may give me the time to pack on the load I have to compete at that degree.”
Hartle appreciates the relationships he has constructed from taking part in soccer and anticipates extra to return.
“I began taking part in within the second grade and was capable of kind a bond with lots of youngsters,” he mentioned. “As soon as we received to the highschool staff, these bonds simply turned stronger. Coach Okay has created a tremendous tradition there.”
California was 7-3 total final season and 6-1 in convention play.
