Sports
Hellinghausen and Villamaria sign soccer scholarships
Sunday, 29 April 2012 by Chuck Kelly
It was an important day as BHS soccer standouts Luke Villamaria and Logan Hellinghausen (seated left and right) signed their letters of intent to attend the United States Air Force Academy and John Brown University. Standing (l-r) are Frank and Maureen Villamaria, soccer coach Tarcisio Mosnia, Shelli and Carl Hellinghausen.Two senior Tiger soccer players who have contributed greatly to head coach Tarcisio Mosnia's program for several years are taking their skills to the next level in the fall.
District 12-5A Most Valuable Player Luke Villamaria and 1st team All District teammate Logan Hellinghausen, the Tiger soccer team captain this year, signed national letters of intent last Friday before a huge crowd in Tiger gym. Both also earned Academic All-District and All-State honors.
Luke, son of Frank and Maureen Villamaria, accepted an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he will play for the Falcons.
Logan, son of Carl and Shelli Hellinghausen, chose to attend John Brown University in Arkansas and play for the Golden Eagles.
The pair was instrumental in the success of the Belton Tiger soccer program --- Villamaria on offense as a forward and Hellinghausen, a fullback, as a defender.
"Luke had to sit out his first year at Belton after moving in from another school district. He started both his junior and senior years after being injured in his sophomore season," Mosnia remembered."Logan played in about 20 games in his first year in 2009, then started almost every game since then except when he was out awhile due to Mononucleosis."
How did the two make their decisions on college?
U.S. Congressman John Carter made Villamaria's decision easier when he nominated Luke for appointment to the USAF Academy.
"I received the official confirmation of my appointment in late March when Congressman Carter called my house with the news. I'm looking forward to the challenge. It's kinda different from other universities. I'm looking forward to being pushed to be my best....that's what they want, for everyone to be their very best. And, it's the 'brotherhood', too. You build strong relationships with everyone and they last forever," he commented."I don't know anyone there right now. I went up there for a visit in October and got to know a few guys, so I have a few acquaintances. My parents wanted me to choose....not 'go here or go there'....They supported whatever decision I made. Hopefully, I'll get to play soon. They have a varsity and junior varsity teams. I think most freshmen go onto the JV and then develop for the varsity."
As for Logan --- "I wasn't looking for a huge school but I was looking for a Christian school and that's basically what John Brown is....a small Christian school up in Arkansas. The reason I picked it is, first, they have a great engineering school and I'm going to major in mechanical engineering. Secondly, I like the coaches. They are all Godly men and they are going to help me grow in my faith. That's one of the biggest reasons I chose John Brown. I don't know anyone there but one of my friends is going to go there, too. I'm sure that my parents wish it was closer to home but they're with me, whatever I do. They are excited I'm going there," Hellinghausen said. "And I'm looking forward to it. The coaches are expecting me to come in and play right away...so hopefully, that'll happen." (He was Honorable Mention All-District his freshman year and 1st team All-District since his sophomore season)
Mosnia has some big shoes to fill next season. "I've known them both for quite awhile....since they were little kids....and they have brought a lot of good things into our program....respect, and everything else. I'm going to miss them!"
