SJJ Student-Athletes Cement College Choices
Student-athletes making their commitments official on signing day were (L-R): Jake Nachtrab (football, BGSU), Liam Allen (football, Toledo), Tony Harper (football, Pittsburgh), Matt Miller (football, Wisconsin), Brogan Roback (football, Eastern Michigan), Matt Almester (soccer, Oakland University), and Drew Savage (cross country/track, Ohio).
Seven St. John’s Jesuit student-athletes made their college choices official at a signing day ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, in the Iott Center at St. John's Jesuit High School & Academy.
Matt Miller (Wisconsin), Brogan Roback (Eastern Michigan) and Tony Harper (Pittsburgh) signed National Letters of Intent to continue their football careers, and two of their teammates on the gridiron, Liam Allen (Toledo) and Jake Nachtrab (Bowling Green), signed as preferred walk-ons. Also making official their college choices were Drew Savage (Ohio) in cross country/track and Matt Almester (Oakland University) in soccer.
“Signing Day is always a momentous occasion at St. John’s Jesuit,” St. John’s Jesuit Director of Athletics Bob Ronai said. “We couldn’t be more proud of all of our student-athletes who will continue their playing days in college, and we wish them nothing but the best at the next level.”
Among a host of accolades garnered during his high school career, Miller was an All-Ohio first-team lineman and was named Northwest District Lineman of the Year in 2012. Additionally, he earned all-district and All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference first-team honors.
Roback rewrote the record books in his time behind center as a three-year starting quarterback for the Titans. He holds numerous school records, including most attempts (42) and completions (26) in a single game; most completions (132), passing yards (2,079), and touchdowns (25) in a season; and most attempts (647), completions (348), passing yards (5,787) and touchdowns (59) in a career. Roback was named All-TRAC honorable mention as a senior in a conference loaded with top-notch signal-callers.
As a two-way player, Harper made a difference for SJJ on offense and defense. Where he’s really made his mark, and where his college coaches project him to play at the next level, is at tight end. Harper was All-TRAC honorable mention during an injury-shortened senior year and was an All-TRAC second-team honoree as a junior.
Allen made a name for himself across Northwest Ohio and the entire state during an illustrious senior year. As Roback’s top target, Allen broke the school record for receiving yardage in a single season and finished 2012 with 1,199 yards. He also tied the school record for most receptions in a single game with 12. For his efforts, Allen was named an All-Ohio first-team wide receiver, as well as all-district and All-TRAC first-team accolades.
Along with Miller, Nachtrab was a standby on the offensive line all season for the Titans. He started at a variety of positions on the line and was named All-TRAC honorable mention this past season.
Savage has made his mark in both cross country and track during his time at SJJ. He was the 3200-meter champion at the 2011 TRAC Championships and an All-TRAC first-team honoree in track in 2012. In cross country, Savage was a three-time all-district first-team honoree as well as a two-time all-league honoree.
Almester was a go-to scoring option for the Titans on the pitch during his career. He netted 22 goals and 12 assists and was a four-year varsity letterman. Almester was recognized following his senior season as TRAC player of the year, All-Ohio first-team, All-District first-team, and All-TRAC first-team.