Wednesday, February 7, was a day that five North Royalton seniors will remember for a very long time. The five signed their National Letters of Intent to continue playing their high school sports at the collegiate level.
The five join four other North Royalton High School Seniors who signed National Letters of Intent in the fall.
Of the five who signed earlier this month, four were members of the North Royalton girls’ soccer team. The other played on the Bears football team.
The five are: Claire Novak – Cleveland State University; Krista Harbart – Lake Erie College; Jordi Markovic – Notre Dame College; Juliet Tyma – Lake Erie College and Jacob Franczak – football – Tiffin University.
Cleveland State women’s soccer coach Dallas Boyer is pleased that Clare is becoming a Viking.
“Claire’s versatility is a big asset for her because she can do everything well. She can be used out wide as an attacking player, she’s technical enough to play in traffic as a central midfielder and she has done well lately in transitioning into an outside defender that can get up and down the line.”
Plus, Coach Boyer says he could see Claire’s role being adjusted depending upon who they are playing.
“As we move from season to season or even game to game with different formations, Claire’s ability to do several things well provides us with a lot of options. She has a very high ‘soccer IQ’ and has the ability to adapt to the speed of play and different styles.”
Claire was a four-year letter winner for the Lady Bears.
Krista Harbart is a member of the girls’ soccer team and of the girls’ basketball team. Krista played on the back line for the NR Girls’ Soccer team. She has been an All-Suburban League second team selection.
Jordi Markovic is a four-year letter-winner for the North Royalton girls’ soccer team. She also has been an All-Suburban League First team selection.
Juliet Tyma also is a four-year letter winner for the North Royalton girls’ soccer team. Juliet played as a forward and a midfielder for the Lady Bears and was a Suburban League Honorable Mention choice.
North Royalton Head Football Coach Nick Ciulli is glad to see Jake Franczak get the chance to play at the next level.
“Jake has been a leader for us the last two years. His play on the field and his work ethic off the field has opened the door for him to play at the next level. He will be an impact player in college and Tiffin is lucky to get him. We will miss him. The entire North Royalton football family wishes him the best of luck.”
Jake was a two-way for the Bears as a running back and a linebacker. At Tiffin, Jake will be a linebacker. Jake tipped the scales this past season at 6-feet-2 inches tall and 210 pounds.
While Jake says he has adapted to the defensive side of the ball, it will be hard for fans to forget his time as a running back for the Bears and his ‘leap’ over the pile in the Brecksville game this past season to score a touchdown.
Congratulations to the latest five North Royalton High School Seniors for receiving an athletic scholarship to play at the college level!

By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer