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Ferry’s Spielvogel picks Lake Erie College track

MARTINS FERRY – She excelled in two sports on the prep level, now Richella Spielvogel is primed to make her mark at the next level.

The Martins Ferry basketball and track standout will continue her academic and track careers at Lake Erie College, a D-II institution located in Painesville, Ohio.

Spielvogel was one of the premier shot putters and discus throwers in the OVAC the past three years. She was primed for a banner senior season before the coronavirus pandemic dropped the curtain on spring sports.

Spielvogel scripted a brilliant sophomore track season, sweeping top honors in nearly every major meet. She was the overall discus champion in the OVAC Cal Giffin Track Championships while also winning the high-point field events award in that meet.

Spielvogel also pocketed championships in the Dick Dei Classic (setting new meet record), Bellaire Relays, Doan Ford Invitational while also taking home the award for most field events points in the Shadyside Relays. She capped her amazing spring season by winning the district championship at Meadowbrook, earning a regional berth.

Spielvogel was selected for the all-Valley and all-Times-Leader track teams.

“All the people at Lake Erie were extremely nice and welcoming. I also like the location of the school because I didn’t want to go to a school where I already knew a lot of people,” Spielvogel said. “I think that I can really grow there as a person, student and athlete.”

As a junior, she repeated as the Bellaire Relays discus champion while placing second in the shot put.

She was the high-point field events scorer.

“I’m not too sure who was more excited about the upcoming track season, me or Richella. After watching her play in a few basketball games and coaching her in the track preseason, I could tell that she was ready to perform at a high level,” Martins Ferry head track coach Greg Steele said.

“Though we’ll definitely miss Richella as a competitor, I personally will miss her leadership skills and willingness to help our younger throwers with technique.

“I truly believe (Lake Erie) is getting a real “diamond in the rough” as we haven’t seen her best distances in the throwing events. Unlike the collegiate men, the women’s throwing weights won’t increase as she’ll throw the exact same size she did in high school,” he added. “I wish her nothing but the best and hope to see her compete over the next few years.”

Spielvogel also enjoyed a stellar hoop season for Coach Dave Reasbeck this winter, helping to lead the Lady Riders to the OVAC 4A championship. The 5-11 post was voted MVP in the OVAC title game. For the season, she averaged a double-double while garnering first-team all-OVAC, all-District 12, all-Times Leader and all-Valley berths. The all-Ohio special mention honoree was chosen to play in the pandemic-canceled OVAC and District 12 all-star basketball games.

Spielvogel was also a standout in the classroom. She owned a 4.2 grade point average and was honored every year since fifth grade at the Martins Ferry Academic Awards Banquet. She served as Student Council treasurer and was a member of the Drug Free Club. She plans to major in pre-law.

Lake Erie College is home to another former OVAC star. Lauren Flannery, who scripted an all-state hoop career at River High, is the started point guard for the Storm basketball team.

Richella is the daughter of Rich and Melissa Spielvogel of Martins Ferry.

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