Howell will be playing tennis at the University of the Cumberlands

Aaron Howell has recently signed a letter-of-intent to continue his education and tennis careers at the University of the Cumberlands (formerly Cumberland College), in Williamsburg, Ky.

The Batavia High School senior, the son of Dale and Betty Howell, will be playing his third varsity season on the Bulldog courts. He began his prep career at McNicholas High School where he also lettered in the sport.

Howell played in the first singles position much of the time in his first three seasons of varsity competition and has earned a berth on the Southern Buckeye Conference National Division all-star team.

He has found the time to be very active in non-athletic school activities including the various types of instrumental bands, prom committee, a senior mentor, vice-president of the senior class, and he has also served as an announcer at home girls basketball games and a statistician for both the girls and boys basketball teams and the volleyball team.

"Cumberland seems like a perfect fit for me. Everyone was nice that I met," said Howell who plans to major in elementary education.

His parents are happy with his decision.

"It's just such a good fit for him. Everyone was so nice and helpful down there," said his mom.

"It is a beautiful campus and the faculty and coaches we met there seem real interested in the kids," said his dad.

Howell singled out a few individuals who have been of major importance to him.

"My parents have supported me in all of my activities...(Xavier University head tennis coach) Jim Brockhoff and (Xavier University assistant tennis coaches) Eric Toth and Joe Wilkerson all helped me and pushed me in tennis."

The highlight of his tennis career thus far he said was "the sectional tournament last year. I made it to the third round and lost to Andrew McCarthy of Indian Hill. He is a very good player. It was a good experience for me," said Howell.

"Aaron will be hard to replace. In the athletic department he is known as 'Mr. Reliable' for all the work he does," said Terry Sheehan, athletic director at Batavia High School.

"He has a lot of good background in tennis and has a lot of potential and he's bright and enthusiastic," said Chin Tan, Cumberland's head tennis coach.