by Hailey de la Vara '21
This season, the Ohio Wesleyan football team has 4 players from a small town in West Virginia called Hurricane.
Senior linebacker Lucas Cooper was the first to arrive at Ohio Wesleyan. Sophomore defensive end Walker James followed, and freshman quarterback Austin Womack and freshman wide receiver Ryan Moses came this year.
How did these football players end up in Delaware, Ohio, from a town with a population of around 6500?
"I chose to come to OWU because I felt wanted here, not only (on) the football team, but (by) the professors and the academic side of campus as well," Cooper said.
"When we were recruiting Lucas, he and his dad came on a visit, and there was a huge ice storm that day," said Bishop head coach Tom Watts. "We rescheduled the rest of the recruits who were going to visit that day, but Lucas and his dad were almost to Delaware, so it ended up being Lucas, his dad, and our whole staff.
"Lucas decided to come here and has had a big impact on the team. He is a good leader, good academically, a good example to other players -- and has helped us recruit."
James came to Ohio Wesleyan 2 years after Cooper and has been grateful for the experiences OWU has given him.
"I chose OWU for the strong family-like connection. Welcoming players from back home has been nothing short of amazing," James said.
"Walker came next, and we've continued to have good luck in Hurricane with Austin and Ryan," Watts said.
Womack and Moses are new to the football program, but embrace their excitement for the next few years as a Bishop.
"I came to OWU for the opportunity to receive a good education and the atmosphere of the campus, and I was impressed with the athletic facilities and coaching staff. Being able to play with a few of my high school teammates is something most don't get to do," Womack said.
"I was interested in OWU because I had heard great things from Walker and Lucas. Also, my high school quarterback and friend Austin was looking to come here as well," Moses said.
"I'm glad I was able to pass this opportunity down to some of my friends and former teammates from home and I hope this connection continues to be built," Cooper said.
The connection certainly has worked out well for Watts and the Bishops. Cooper is an All-North Coast Athletic Conference selection at outside linebacker, James is a starting defensive end, and Womack was the starting quarterback in the Bishops' opening game in March.
These 4 players agree that Ohio Wesleyan football has been nothing short of a great experience and hope the track record of recruiting from Hurricane continues.
