Three members of the Wawasee High School football program have committed to continue playing football at the next level.

John Essex committed this week to play for Trine University. Essex was an All-Northern Lakes Conference tight end/defensive end selection his senior season and was picked as an All-Area defensive player as well as a member of the Northern Indiana All-Stars. Essex was also an Honorable Mention All-NLC and All-Area performer as a junior.
Essex has not declared a major, but carries a 3.95 GPA and is a member of the Academic Hall of Fame and National Honor Society.

Bauer Schmeltz committed in April to play quarterback at Wabash College. Schmeltz was an All-NLC quarterback his senior season as well as Offensive Player of the Year for the Wawasee team. Schmeltz was also named Honorable Mention Academic All-State in basketball.
Schmeltz carries a 3.2 GPA and looks to major in chemistry and minor in business.

Dimitri Kaplanis committed this spring to play for the University of St. Francis. An All-NLC and All-Area performer as a senior, St. Francis is looking at adding Kaplanis to their offensive line. Kaplanis was a three-year, two-way starter for Wawasee in football, and also was a state finalist in wrestling his senior season. In wrestling, Kaplanis was All-NLC his junior and senior seasons and also was named Team MVP in both seasons.
Kaplanis has a 3.71 GPA and plans to study sports business.