West Muskingum Sends Nine Tornadoes to Continue Athletic Careers at Next Level

ZANESVILLE, OH – All school year long, West Muskingum consistently produces some of the top local area talent when it comes to high school sports. Whether it be football, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, or anything in between, the Tornadoes boast some phenomenal athletes in their respective sports. Nine of those Tornadoes will continue to play sports at the collegiate level.

The school held a “signing day” on Friday morning, celebrating nine soon to be former Tornadoes between five different sports in college. Four of the five will be taking part of the school’s name with them, heading off to Muskingum University in New Concord. Braxton Brownrigg will continue his football career under head coach Matt Nardo, Teriauna Brandford becomes the latest local area athlete to sign on for the women’s basketball team under Ryan McClain, while Ashton Ansel and Gabbi Hammer will feature in the spring for baseball and softball respectively.

“The coaches really connected to me, and I just loved how I went there and as soon as I went there, I felt welcomed and felt like it was home for the next four years” says Brownrigg.

Ansel notes that a quick phone call really sold him on the Muskies baseball program. “I actually went to a camp, and then Coach (Jake) Krupar called me after the camp and had a really genuine conversation, and that’s when I decided I wanted to go there” he says. “Coach Krupar and his crew, they just do a good job over there and they’re building a good program, so I decided to sign there.”

Despite suffering a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury while playing soccer as a junior, Jayden Thornton returned to the field for her senior year, and now finds herself heading to the University of Rio Grande. “When I tore my ACL, it was definitely beyond discouraging, because your junior year is most of your recruiting time” says the 2026 Muskingum Valley League small school midfielder of the year. “I think that’s where videos and film kind of came in. I just started clipping a lot of stuff and messaging as many coaches as I could, explaining the situation that I’m in. It’s super awesome.”

Thornton, along with Lady Tornadoes teammate and MVL small school goalkeeper of the year Kyndall Fountain will compete at the NAIA level in the fall for the Red Storm.

A star in both boys soccer as well as track and field, Jaxon Prang elected to pursue the latter in college, becoming a Purple Raider with the University of Mount Union in Division III. “Mainly because of the culture there, the culture’s really good and they have a great track program” notes Prang. “The major I want to go into, exercise science, is great. I really like the team, I got to know them well, got to practice with them, and I just felt like I fit in well over there.”

Among those celebrated by the school are two Division II college commits in Peyton Brown for softball at Kent State Tuscarawas, while Maria Hill will suit up for the Tiffin Lady Dragons on the soccer field. Hill says that the community really sold her on the program. “It was just an amazing experience to see how friendly everyone was. I think how ‘West’ is also a small school, it’s just, your so close in your community, you bring everyone up. I’m looking forward to do the same with everywhere I go in my community.”

As of Friday, April 17th, these nine seniors are among the near 100 local area athletes who will compete in their respective sports at the next level. A full list can be found here.