Jillian Osswald, Hamilton Heights’ senior, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for Taylor University in Upland, Indiana this fall. Taylor University is a member of the Crossroads League and a NAIA athletic institution. She is the daughter of Brad and Amber Osswald.
Osswald, who also played volleyball for Hamilton Heights, began playing AAU travel basketball at age 8 and has played basketball at Heights since the third grade. A four-year varsity letter winner, it has been Osswald’s dedication and hard work that has helped her to earn success in the classroom, on the court, and to improve upon her skills with every practice and every game.
This three-year varsity captain, named Indy Star Player of the Week (2019), voted season MVP, All-County Honorable Mention (2019), All-County First Team, Most Assists (2019), Indiana Class Basketball All-Star Candidate and Indy Star Girls Basketball Top Performer (2019), chose Taylor University for several reasons. The first is the family environment she felt during her visit to the campus. “The entire basketball team was welcoming and helped me feel like family,” recalled Osswald of her visits to Taylor. “I always wanted to play basketball at the collegiate level and on a successful team with a strong coaching staff. Taylor provides that and a lot more. I am also looking forward to taking my game to the next level working with Coach Martinez.”
The other reason for Taylor being a top pick is its strong sports management program that Osswald feels will help her to reach her post-college goal of managing an Indiana sports team or becoming an event coordinator.
Osswald credits her parents as having the biggest impact on her growth and development over the years, especially her dad, who never hesitates to take her to the gym or try to beat her on the court in a game of one on one. She also expressed gratitude to all her past and present coaches in the huge role they played in helping her to develop into the player she is today.
During Jillian’s (aka “Oz”) four years in this program, she has never let the situation define her,” said Keegan Cherry, HHHS Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach. “She has strived to be great individually and as a team. I reflect with enjoyment and satisfaction that she is leaving the program better because of her contributions. Her dedication to our program and commitment to representing herself, school, and community to our standard, has been a shining example. She embodies the type of characteristics that leave me with no doubt that Oz will be successful at Taylor University in the classroom and on the court. And more importantly, Jillian will be successful in the game of life.”
“Jillian has been a pleasure to watch on the basketball court over the course of her high school career,” said Kurt Ogden, Hamilton Heights Athletic Director. “She has been committed to the sport year-round for ten years and through her hard work, it has paid dividends. She is also another outstanding Hamilton Heights athlete that we are proud of for excelling in the classroom as well as on the court. She has been a phenomenal role model for her teammates and an outstanding leader, on and off the court. We wish her well as she continues her basketball career at Taylor University.”
When Osswald is not on the court or in the gym, she is active in a variety of extracurricular activities including National Honor Society and 4-H. In fact, she is a 10-year member of 4-H, a 4-H junior leader, and Pork Ambassador. She also regularly attends ITOWN Church.
“As I approach the end of my senior year,” added Osswald, who recently spearheaded an event hosted by the HHHS Girls Basketball team, Pink Out for Breast Cancer, “I want to be remembered for my dedication to the community and in the basketball program. I hope to grow into an even better person in the future and leave a positive impact on my peers.”