Senior Johnathon Owens committed Jan. 22 to play football at Capital University in Columbus.
Pitcher Josh Rosenblitt made his commitment back in April to play baseball at Oakland University in Michigan, and the Athletic Dept. hosted a signing ceremony for him in the community room on Nov. 13.
Owens is a standout three-sport athlete who competes in swimming and track as well as playing running back and safety on the football team.
Athletic Director Ryan Peters told the Beachcomber that he has been watching Owens grow as an athlete since he was in middle school.
“I’ve known Johnathon since 6th and 7th grade, when he started playing sports,” Peters said. “He came out for wrestling for a little bit, but everyone wanted someone like Johnathon Owens to be part of their team.”
Peters says Owens has become a strong leader on his high school teams.
“He is an awesome kid,” he said. “He has a very big personality… and is confident in his convictions. He has a very light-hearted but also hard-working spirit.”
However, Owens told the Beachcomber that his high school career has presented some real disappointments.
The Bison football team has endured a couple of winless seasons, but Owens does not let these struggles define him.
“There have been times where I have wanted to quit,” Owens said. “I knew the dream was to play college football, and I couldn’t quit now. I kept my head up and now I am able to pursue this dream.”
Owens’ determination did not go unnoticed.
“He continues to work as an athlete, and he’s gotten stronger and faster,” Peters said. “His intelligence as an athlete has gotten better as well. You can tell he’s taken a lot of time and energy to master his sports.”
Owens received his offer after a visit at Capital University, where the coaching staff expressed an interest in seeing him join the team.
“The coach told me he enjoyed watching my film and he wanted to give me a roster spot,” Owens said. “I was so happy I got my first offer. I texted my Beachwood teammates, and I just couldn’t stop smiling.”
Owens felt that Capital was a good fit.
“The college is in a nice community, and my position fits me perfectly here,” Owens said. “It felt like this place was meant for me. I’m guaranteed a playing spot, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Owens’ role as a leader on the football team was crucial through the tough seasons he has played. As a senior captain this year, he made it his mission to keep everyone’s spirits high.
“I had to keep everyone’s head up so we could continue playing the game we love,” Owens said. “Being a role model for the younger players taught me a lot about responsibility and perseverance.”
Peters says he has been inspired by watching Owens grow as an athlete and a leader.
“Watching a kid like Johnny Owens succeed brings a smile to my face,” he said. “He works so hard, and it’s a reminder of why I do this job—to support athletes like him through their journeys.”
Owens has ambitious goals for his time at Capital and beyond.
“My long term goals are to make it to the NFL, get more stats, have more scouts and maintain my grades,” he said. “Now I look forward to meeting the team, creating a brotherhood, looking forward to Saturday games and just creating lifelong memories.”
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Beachwood athletics hosted a signing day after school on Nov. 13 for pitcher Josh Rosenblitt’s signing to Oakland University.
Rosenblitt made the commitment back in April, but waited until this fall for the formal signing ceremony.
The event had a big turnout with friends, family members, teammates and coaches coming out to support him.
Athletic Director Ryan Peters spoke about Rosenblitt’s growth as an athlete.
“This is a very special day for BHS and the athletic department,” Peters said. “This is sort of an end of an era for us, and it’s been fun.”
Peters spoke very highly of Rosenblitt’s achievements.
“You set the stage for me as a young parent,” Peters said. “Josh Rosenblitt will go down as one of Beachwood’s best athletes, and Josh, everyone who watches you play baseball wants to be you.”
Rosenblitt has currently tied Beachwood’s record for most strikeouts, and he still has one more season to play.
The previous record-holder was Brad Goldberg, who is now the Cleveland Guardians pitching coach.
“You are a role model on the soccer and baseball fields, and you are an honors student with a 4.0 GPA,” Peters said. “You have raised the bar for Beachwood athletics, and from the bottom of my heart I want to thank you and to say I am excited for your next phase.”
Beachwood’s head baseball coach Matt Lamovec also spoke about his experience coaching Rosenblitt.
“I heard about this kid, Josh, when I got this job here, and when I got hired he reached out to me saying congratulations,” Lamovec said. “I think this really speaks out to who Josh really is as a person”.
Lamovec described how motivational Rosenblitt is for his teammates.
“Players really gravitate towards Josh, and I think this crowd out here shows that as well,” Lamovec said. “We are super proud of you, Josh, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for you and can’t wait to support you.”
Anthony Mendoza, Rosenblitt’s pitching coach from his travel team, the T3 Warhawks, also spoke.
“I met Josh about six or seven years ago… and I can say he impacted my life,” Mendoza said. “This is emotional for me because I saw a kid with a goal and he achieved that goal.”
“Who you are as an athlete is going to take you far, and who you are as a man is impacting so many students’ lives,” he added.
Rosenblitt thanked the coaches, family members and teammates who helped him along the way.
“I just want to say thank you to everyone here today,” Rosenblitt said.
It is a rare event for BHS to send an athlete to play at a Division 1 school, and after the ceremony, Rosenblitt told the Beachcomber that it wasn’t easy.
“It has been a very long process, and hopefully I will continue to grow as I get to college,” he said. “There’s been a lot of early mornings and late nights, time away from home, and I’ve had to miss several events with friends and family, but It’s definitely paying off, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
