Grace College lands Reading graduate, three-sport standout Abby Affholter

READING Whether it was in the throwing circle, on the volleyball court or behind a microphone, Abby Affholter made the most of her time at Reading High School.

Now, the 2025 graduate and former three-sport standout is set to begin her freshman year at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana, where shell continue her athletic career in track and field while pursuing a degree in youth ministry.More: Rangers at the next level: Trine women's hoops gets 3-point shooting expert Jenna LondeauAffholter committed to the private Christian college after a standout senior year in three sports and a top-of-the-class finish academically.My goal is to study youth ministry, she said.

The ultimate goal would be to be a youth pastor or help share the gospel with kids.

Thats the only thing I can picture myself doing.She said the spiritual focus of Graces coaching staff made the decision an easy one.When I decided to pursue track, I got to know the coaches, and theyre very disciple-oriented, Affholter said.

Their whole goal is to make you a better Christian and believer first, and then pursue your athletic ability.More: Ava Mallar and Abby Affholter named 2025 Jennifer Beach Scholarship recipientsA decorated career in the fieldAffholter graduated as one of Readings most accomplished throwers in recent memory.

She was a state qualifier and a two-time Area Best Meet champion in both shot put and discus.

She earned Big 8 all-conference honors in both events as a senior, winning five meets and finishing runner-up at regionals in discus.Her final season saw her come up just short of qualifying for state in shot put.

Her personal bests 34 feet, 612 inches in shot put and 105 feet, 6 inches in discus put her among the programs best in recent years.

She qualified for the state finals after finishing runner-up at regionals, which was her 10th top five finish her final season.She finished 15th overall in discus at the state finals.

Affholter won three shot put events and finished top five all season long.As a junior, she was the regional shot put champion, qualified for state in both events and finished 12th in shot put at the MHSAA Division 4 state finals.

That year included seven event wins and another sweep at the Area Best Meet.She also dominated as a sophomore, collecting six shot put wins, an Area Best title and all-conference honors in both events.Track is a very goal-oriented sport, she said.

It gave me the chance to push myself more and more individually in ways other sports dont.Impact across three sportsAffholters athletic impact stretched far beyond the field.

In basketball, she helped lead Reading to a district title and a run to the regional final.

She earned first team all-conference and all-area dream team honors, captained the squad, and was named the teams Coachs Award recipient.In volleyball, she was named team MVP as a junior and offensive player of the year as a senior, earning first team all-conference both years and all-area dream team first team honors.I always thought if I played a sport in college, it would be volleyball, she said.

I still really love it and hope to play club or intramural.

But track became an opportunity where I could really excel quickly, and Im excited to pursue it at the next level.Leading through faithAffholter said her faith shaped how she handled both the highs and lows of high school athletics.Sometimes in sports, its easy to get caught up in your identity as an athlete, she said.

But knowing that my identity comes from being saved by Jesus that makes everything easier.That sense of purpose is part of what drew her to Grace, which she described as a small, scenic school that immediately felt like home.Its a smaller school with just over 1,000 students, and its right on a lake," Affholter said.

"It felt almost like a summer camp.

It just felt like home.Affholter is also a gifted singer and was twice selected to perform the national anthem at the MHSAA wrestling state finals, as well as the volleyball state tournament.It was surreal to see all those people in the stands, she said.

Its a great way to share the talents God has given me, and Id love to keep doing it in college if I get the opportunity.Academic excellence and characterAffholter graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 2025 and was named to the academic all-state team in both shot put and discus.

She also received the Jennifer Beach Memorial Scholarship, which honors students for academic excellence, leadership, and character.It was a really great ride, and Im thankful for everything I got to be a part of," Affholter said.Gratitude and legacyAffholter credited her family, coaches and teammates for helping her grow.

All three of her older brothers went on to play football at Hillsdale College, where her father Brad Affholter is an assistant coach.

My parents, definitely, and (my) grandpa has probably been my biggest track supporter, well, just supporter in general, she said.

He loves the sport, hes at every meet he can be, and he knows it really well.Reading track and field head coach Jared Bignell said Grace College is gaining a leader both on and off the track.Abby is the kind of person you want on your team, Bignell said.

Shes going to improve athletically, no doubt, but shes also going to be a spiritual leader.

Shell disciple others, build meaningful relationships and bring the same impact she brought here.Looking back on her time at Reading, Affholter offered one piece of advice to those coming up behind her.Dont waste your time (because) it goes quick, she said.

Cherish the friendships you make.

Ive been lucky to have the best friends and teammates, and Im so grateful for all of it.About Grace CollegeGrace College is a private Christian institution located in Winona Lake, Indiana, with an enrollment of just over 1,000 students.

The Grace Lancers compete in the NAIA as members of the Crossroads League.

The womens track and field team is led by head coach Michael Moffitt.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Reading High School grad Abby Affholter commits to Grace College track.

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