Perkins' Nemitz, Schaefer, Ernsberger choose Tiffin University

Collin Nemitz has decided on his college sport and destination — and he won't be going alone. The multi-sport Perkins star, who graduated from PHS on Sunday, announced Thursday that he'll continue his athletic career as a track and field athlete at Division II Tiffin University. "Thank you to all my coaches for pushing me and helping me get to where I am today," Nemitz wrote on Twitter with his announcement. Nemitz will be joined at Tiffin by two of his Perkins classmates, Ben Schaefer and Alexis Ernsberger, who both signed to compete for the Dragons on May 20. It remained a question until recently whether Nemitz would pursue football or track at the next level. He broke out as a senior running back for the Pirates, rushing for 2,479 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also had 453 receiving yards and 622 return yards. Nemitz put together the three best single-game rushing totals in Perkins football history, totaling 402 early in the season against Ashland for the new program standard. Near the end of his senior football season, Nemitz reflected on the greatness of Pirates alum Dale Irby and said, "I need that title as the best player to ever come through Perkins." Turns out, Nemitz's final football game was a regional semifinal loss to Port Clinton. He ran for 205 yards in his final time on the gridiron. "This will be great for him," Perkins track and field coach Shane Burrows said. "Be able to get an education and not be banged up on the football field for four years." In his final track and field season, Nemitz went to the state meet in four events. He qualified individually in the long jump and 100-meter dash while also competing as part of the Pirates' 4x100 and 4x200 relays. Nemitz won a regional championship in the long jump while leaping 23 feet, 1.75 inches to break Steve Sidoti's 1968 school record. He went on to finish as state runner-up in Division II. Nemitz was also the ninth-place finisher in the state in the 100-meter dash after qualifying to the finals as the eighth-fastest semifinal runner. "For him, (the finish to the season) hopefully catapults him into a collegiate career," Burrows said. "He needs that. Every kid who puts all the work in needs to see the fruit of his labors." Schaefer, like Nemitz, is a sprinter. He was on the Perkins 4x100 and 4x200 state-qualifying relays, in addition to a standout soccer career with the Pirates. In his senior soccer season, Schaefer was part of the school's first SBC Lake Division champions as well as a district championship. Nemitz and Schaefer will compete against their good friend Chris Campbell, who graduated Perkins a year ago and long jumps at the University of Findlay. "They're gonna have some friendly rivalries," Burrows said. Ernsberger was a hurdler and high jumper for Perkins. She placed fourth in the high jump at the SBC Lake Championships, clearing 4 feet, 10 inches. The Tiffin University track and field roster already includes Simeon Hunter (Perkins) and Brandon Elmes (Oak Harbor). Bellevue middle-distance runner Kearston Lunsford, Danbury hurdler Shanamarie Richard and South Central pole vaulter Onalee Keysor will also be freshmen for the Dragons in the fall.