Athlete Spotlight
Ashton Bennett
Cody Clark
Na'Tasha Farr
Blake Harpenau
Jake Jones
James Millen
Eric Mosley
Connor Stookey
Kara McLemore
Nick Merhaut
Nick Merhaut
Sport: Soccer
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
High School: ECOT
Nick started playing soccer at the age of 5 in a summer recreation league and has grown up with an intense passion for the sport. He played center and outside midfield for Canfield High School for two years before leaving the school for the ECOT online program. He played his club soccer for the Cleveland Futbol Club where he started at defensive midfield. Nick was chosen to represent 365 Sports in the 2010 Gothia Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden. Nick captained the U-18 boys squad and was named to the USA All-Star team, team MVP and Man of the Match vs. Germany.
In his first year at Cincinnati State, Merhaut has made an impact on the field and in the classroom. On the field, Nick played at midfield for the Surge. He appeared in all 21 games for Cincinnati State scoring 2 goals and 5 assists on the year and helped lead the team to its seventh OCCAC title in nine seasons.
"Nick came in with a great attitude and was willing to do whatever the team needed. As the season went on, Nick continued to improve and make an impact for us in some of the biggest moments."
In the second to last game of the regular season, Merhaut scored one of the biggest goals of Cincinnati State's regular season. With less than 30 seconds to play, Merhaut found the back of the net against Jackson CC to give the Surge a 2-1 win. Merhaut and his Surge teammates finished the year with an impressive 16-5-0 mark and will look to build upon the success in 2012.
"I wish we could fast forward to next season. All of us want to make an impact and win. We have a strong enough team coming back to get where we want to be," Merhaut said.
In his short time at Cincinnati State, Nick has been a positive fixture in the Cincinnati State community. In the classroom, Merhaut earned a 3.6 GPA and qualified for the Dean's List. In addition, Merhaut is the first Cincinnati State student-athlete to participate as an officer in the student senate.
Kara McLemore
Sport: Basketball
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Trotwood, OH
High School: Trotwood-Madison
As a freshman, Kara McLemore made a huge impact for the women's basketball team during the 2010-2011 season. Coming off of the bench for most of the season, McLemore averaged 10.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.3 steals. She recorded a triple-double against Lakeland C.C. in an unorthodox manner recording 11 steals to go along with 12 points and 10 rebounds. McLemore, who earned OCCAC honorable mention as a freshman, helped lead the Cincinnati State women's basketball team to their first ever appearance in the D-II NJCAA National Tournament. In front of several scouts from 4-year schools, McLemore put together a respectable stretch of games including 22 points, 12 rebounds and 3 steals against Kankakee C.C. in the Lady Surge's third game of the tournament.
Following the season, Kara was selected to participate in the 2011 NJCAA Women's Basketball Coaches' Association's All-Star Event. The event, which is held each year at Pensacola Community College, showcases what the NJCAA perceives to be the top forty rising sophomores from across the United States, and is annually attended by close to 100 Division-I scouts. McLemore was the first Cincinnati State player to ever participate in the event.
In the classroom, Kara earned a 3.5 GPA and qualified for the Dean's List in Cincinnati State's spring term. With the departures of sophomore Shardai Morrison-Fountain, Javonna Saddler and Tyeisha Mitchell (all whom will be transferring to 4-year schools to play basketball) , McLemore will be the only returning player to have averaged double figures in scoring from the previous season. She is also expected to take on more of a leadership role as Cincinnati State hopes to build upon the successes from the 2010-2011 season.
Connor Stookey
Sport: Golf
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Milford,Ohio
High School: Milford High School
Team captain Connor Stookey has been a standout on Cincinnati State's golf team. As a freshman, Stookey was a key contributor in the Surge's run to the NJCAA D-III National Tournamnet in New York where he shot a 4-day total of 323 strokes in wet in windy conditions.
"We always know what Connor will give us," Head Coach Scott Webb says. "He is what I call a constant."
Returning this season, Connor has continued his steady play shooting 78 in the Owens Invitational and 74 in the Lakeland Invitational. He currently ranks 9th amongst all Ohio Community College Athletic Conference players with a total stroke count of 197. Cincinnati State currently sits in second place behind rival Columbus State.
Connor is planning to attend Ohio Dominican where he has accepted an offer to play for the Panthers next season.
Eric Mosley
Sport: Basketball
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
High School: Moore Traditional School
Following a year of prominence and an NJCAA National Final appearance, Cincinnati State had two of its top players move on to the D-I level. Mosley, a transfer from Austin Peay, was brought in by head coach Andre Tate to keep the winning ways going.
Eric Mosley entered the season known as a pure scorer. In his first game in a Surge uniform, Mosley recorded 19 points off the bench. His best game came two days later in a win against non-conference rival Oakland CC (MI). Mosley put his signature on the game recording 34 points making 5 three pointers and going 17 for 19 from the free throw line as the Surge beat Oakland for the first time in three years.
Eric is currently 8th in the NJCAA in scoring with nearly 24 points per game. He has helped lead the Surge to a 19 – 8 record and a share for the top spot in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference.
In the classroom, Mosley has shown as much skill as he has on the court. For the Late Fall Term, Eric earned a 3.5+ GPA and making the Dean’s List. Due to both his academic and athletic excellence, Eric has generated interest from numerous institutions at the NCAA Division-I level including St. Bonaventure of the Atlantic Ten Conference.
Jake Jones
#15
Year: Freshman
Position: Midfield
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School: Glen Este
As one of twenty two incoming freshman soccer players, it was quite an accomplishment for Jake Jones to find his spot and earn playing time as a midfielder on a team that was loaded at the position.
In his first year playing for Coach Mike Combs, Jones complemented a number of talented players as Surge won its fifth Ohio Community College Athletic Conference championship in seven years.
Jake contributed five goals and eleven assists, and earned 2nd Team All Region honors from the OCCAC for his on the field accomplishments.
Jake – a member of the Honors Experience at Cincinnati State – also displayed superior abilities in the classroom. Not only was he a consistent presence on the Dean’s List, he had the highest GPA of any athlete in the Cincinnati State athletic program.
At the Cincinnati State Athletic Awards Banquet in May, Jake was named Cincinnati State’s Surge Scholar Athlete of the Year.
"Jake is an amazing student with an incredible work ethic and will no doubt be an Academic All-American next year,’’ said Julie McLaughlin, who along with fellow academic advisor Joyce Rimlinger presented him with the award.
Jake’s hard work and commitment toward soccer and academics has created high expectations for next year.
“I expect Jake to have an even better season as he will be one of our leaders next year,’’ Coach Combs said.
James Millen
#11
Sport: Basketball
Year: Sophomore
Position: Guard
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School: Schroder
Two year starter and Captain James Millen provided the Surge with phenomenal play and leadership on and off the court during his time playing for the Surge. Being the only returning player and only local returning to Cincinnati State, James played an integral part in presenting Cincinnati State basketball to incoming players and potential recruits.
“Since I was the only local guy and captain, I kind of became someone who guys came too when they had questions about the program and the area.” Millen said.
In his two years at Cincinnati State, the 6’2 guard averaged 15 points and 5 assists per game. James’ game was noticed nationally and earned him an invited to participate in the Jerry Muellens Junior College Top 120 Camp in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“It was a great experience and it made me a better player going up against the best players from around the country.” Millen said.
In the 2009-10 season, Millen led the Surge to a 27-9 record including a conference championship, regional championship, and an appearance in the NJCAA National Finals. The season marked the furthest any Cincinnati State team has gone in school history. James received All- American and National Tournament First Team honors.
“We would have never gotten there without J,” Coach Andre Tate said. “He is a great player but what was most important was his leadership which boosted the chemistry of our team.”
With his outstanding play on the court and 3+ GPA, James was a highly sought over recruit from a number of Division-I programs. As the first player from his high school to ever get the opportunity to play in Division-I athletics, Millen committed to James Madison University and will play there come next fall.
“Cincinnati State and Coach Tate believed in me and gave me an opportunity,” Millen said. “I am thankful for the experiences that I have had during my time here.”
Blake Harpenau
Sport: Golf
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School: St. Xavier High School
Blake Harpenau has had a phenomenal year for the Surge on the golf course this year. In his first year playing for Cincinnati State, Blake averaged a league leading score of 74.00 per round. He won the Columbus State Invitational at Northstar Golf Course in Sunbury, Ohio by shooting a Cincinnati State team record 4 under par 68. He followed that up by winning the Cincinnati State Invitational at Wildwood Golf Club in Middletown, Ohio with a 2 over 73 in tough conditions.
For his accomplishments on the course, Blake has been named as a member of 1st team All-League and OCCAC Player of the Year. He is one of two Cincinnati State golfers to receive POY honors in Head Coach Scott Webb’s 14 years at Cincinnati State.
“Blake is one of the most talented players I have coached,“ Head Coach Scott Webb said. “What makes him special is his positive attitude and personality which has a great effect on our team chemistry and demeanor.”
Blake has also excelled in classroom making Dean’s List in the Late Fall and Winter terms at Cincinnati State. Blake and the rest of the Surge golf team have high hopes as they now compete in the NJCAA Division III Regional Championships on May 7-9 at Weatherwax Golf Course for a bid to the NJCAA National Championships.
Ashton Bennett
#7
Sport: Soccer
Year: Freshman
Position: Forward
Hometown: Clarendon, Jamaica
High School: Garvin Maceo
Ashton Bennett is one of two players on the Cincinnati State Surge from Jamaica. His high school team was the U-16 champion in 2004, and was named both the Benfrancis Champion and the Dacosta Cup Champion in 2008. Ashton’s club team, Portmore United, was the Premiere League Champion in 2008. Ashton’s personal achievements include league MVP titles in 2007 and 2008 and back to back Golden Boot awards. He was the leading scorer on his school team set an all-time school scoring record.
During his first season at Cincinnati State, he helped lead the Surge to the 2009 OCCAC championship and a national team ran of 8th among all junior college soccer teams.
“Ashton gives us a selitified scoring presence on the team,” Head Coach Mike Combs says, “If he continues to do the right things, there is no doubt that the sky is the limit for him.”
The right things include Ashton’s hard work towards his academics.
“It was tough for me when I first got to the states,” Ashton explained, “Schooling is very different here so it took some time to adjust and get to know the teachers.”
Ashton accumulated himself to Cincinnati State very quickly as he was named to the Dean’s List for his 3.5+ cumulative GPA throughout his first two terms. Ashton’s good reputation on the field and in the classroom has interested scouts from D-1 schools including the University of Cincinnati.
Na’Tasha Farr
#4
Sport: Basketball
Year: Sophomore
Position: Forward
Hometown: Racine, Wisconsin
High School: J.I. Case High School
Na’Tasha Farr has been a star both on and off the court throughout her two years at Cincinnati State. While helping to lead the Lady Surge to a conference championship in 2009, Na’ Tasha gained a reputation around the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference as a marque offensive force. When the season ended she was named to the OCCAC All-Conference Team. Na’Tasha has improved throughout the 2010 season, averaging 12 points and 7 rebounds per game. She has earned multiple conference player of the week honors while leading the Surge to another successful season.
Her reputation on the court has extended to her community. Na’Tasha has been involved with the Boys & Girls Club in her hometown of Milwaukee, voluntering as a group leader and coach for youth basketball teams. In Cincinnati, Na’Tasha and her teammates have raised money and delivered presents to needy families over the past holiday season.
“I really enjoy helping in whatever way I can. Seeing a little kid’s face brighten up because of something that you did is an experience that I will never forget,” she commented.
In the classroom, Na’Tasha is working toward her degree in psychology. Earning a 3.0+ GPA in her two years at Cincinnati State, she plans to continue her education at a four-year university and obtain a Masters Degree in counseling. “I have always loved talking and giving advice to people when they come to me with issues and I think that it would be a very rewarding and interesting field to get into,” Na’Tasha said.
During her time at Cincinnati State, Na’Tasha has developed great relationships with her coaches, teachers, and teammates.
“She has really shown all of us how academics and athletics go hand in hand,” teammate Tamara Sneed says. “She shows the rest of us how to balance school and the game of basketball.”
Assistant Coach Ron Harris had high praise for Na’Tasha. “What I love about Tasha is that she is always wanting to get better, not only on the court but in the classroom and as a person,” Harris said.
Cody Clark
#11
Sport: Soccer
Year: First
Position: Midfield
Hometown: Bright, Indiana
High School: East Central
Cody Clark earned numerous honors on and off the soccer field in 2009. After helping the Surge to a 16-3-1 overall record and winning the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference Championship, Clark earned numerous OCCAC player of the week honors and named to the All- American 1st Team. His accomplishments in the classroom were just as impressive as he earned a 4.0 GPA and named to the Academic All-American team. His phenomenal play and academic prowess has generated interest from division 1 schools University of Cincinnati and Xavier. “Cody is a great example for other student athletes to follow. He puts the same great effort on the field and in the classroom,” head men’s soccer coach Mike Combs explained. Cody looks forward to continuing his soccer career at a division 1 school once he finishes up at Cincinnati State.
