As college signing day was just beginning, Hannah Stevens was watching the ink dry on a letter of intent that finalized her college recruitment process. The stellar Lexington swimmer is headed to the University of Missouri.
“When July 1st came I got a lot more calls than I thought I would, said Stevens, now entering her senior campaign, “When I narrowed it down to five, it became a lot easier.”
Among the collegiate suitors, were well know names like Arizona, Kentucky, Ohio State, Michigan Missouri, came calling. The previous five colleges rounded out Steven’s top choices. One visit to the “Show Me “State, however, left a lasting impression.
“It was just a great place. The campus is just beautiful and the team is so close and so much fun to be around. The coaches are just great and communicated well with athletes,” said Stevens, wearing a “Mizzou” tshirt.
Many local sports fans will be delighted to know that she was so sure that she decided to forego a trip to Ann Arbor.
The Tigers beat out many schools who were presumably impressed by a three year varsity resume that would make any graduating senior proud, much less a proud father watching his daughter make her college choice.
“Boy, she came back from Missouri and that was the school,” said Bob Stevens, “She’s an elite swimmer and it showed with the offers from the elite schools. So we’re very happy with the choices that she had and the choice that she made.”
Hannah Steven’s coach of three years Melissa Watters now transitioning to a post as principal Crestline Elmentary, noted, “It was easy to coach Hannah. She was one that always wanted to get better and to do everything she could to do that.”
A two-time All-Ohioan, Stevens holds the state record in the 100 meter backstroke, both the Lexington High School and district record holder in the 100 meter freestyle and 100 meter backstroke.
In a resume glittering with district, sectional titles and state finals medals, Hannah Stevens is coming off of an astonishing 2013 campaign. She blew through Ohio Cardinal Conference, districts and sectionals. After taking state championship honors in the 100 meter freestyle and 100 meter backstroke, she was named the OHSAA State Tournament Female Swimmer of the Year.
As robust as that resume is, the accomplishments have not come without time and effort. Her mother Melanie Stevens says she is amazed at her daughters work ethic and dedication, “She goes to practice three days a week in Columbus, anywhere from 4-6 days a week. “During swim season here, she practices with the Lexington team on Fridays as well.”
The swimmer also maintains a 3.13 grade point average in the classroom.
The future might even have Hannah Stevens positioned for the world stage. The Columbus trips her mother refers to are to swim for the Greater Columbus Swim Team of Ohio. There she serves as a team co-captain and finished at 18th in the 200 meter backstroke at the US Open, 21st in the 100 meter backstroke, 18th in the 200 meter backstroke at the World Trials and 20th in the 100 meter backstroke.
She is traveling a path to collegiate competition blazed by her older siblings. Her brother Mark Stevens is a alum of Lexington and 2008 graduate Bowling Green where he starred as a football offensive lineman. Her older sister Elli Stevens, a 2010 graduate of Lexington, went on to swim distance freestyle for Youngstown State.
“I’m just really proud of her. She’s worked extremely hard,” said Elli Stevens, now a Youngstown State Penguins senior, “It’s exciting to see her starting a journey I’m just ending. I know she’s going to have so many great years and so many great times ahead of her.“
Stevens also becomes the third female swimmer from Lexington to sign with the Division I ranks, joining her sister and Audria Grubbs, both Youngstown State Penguins. Lexington Athletic Director Joe Roberts said of the latest signing, “It’s really something special to be able to watch. When a student athlete makes a decision like this, it’s very impactful one. I’m extremely proud of her.”
While her future is bright, Hannah Stevens will be doing what she has always done every year: focusing on a new swim season and enjoying time with her teammates. Head coach Brock Spurling is fielding a smaller team with a small freshman class but is also returning 10 state qualifiers. He is also well aware of the career trajectory of his leading swimmer.
Spurling has already coached Hannah in junior high and as a varsity assistant, “Just to see that growth from year to year has really been tremendous,” said the first-year head coach, “Every year she’s making improvements all across the board and in all four strokes.
“I think the best is yet to come this year.”
