Fulton County Ohio Media

Identical twins Aricka and Averie Lutz, star student-athletes on the soccer field and the basketball court, have signed Letters of Intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at Tiffin University (TU) and will join the school’s soccer program.  In acquiring these players, the Lady Dragons are getting a packaged deal of two players that bring with them their own individual package of grit, determination, work ethic, focus and effort as well as athletic talent.

Their commitment to any sport they play starts at 100% and seems to rise from there.  “They definitely put their whole heart into everything they do, especially when it comes to sports.  Sports drives everything for them,” commented Swanton Girls Assistant Soccer Coach Kersten Davis.  “They are the prime example of leadership when it comes to sports or academics.  They lift up the team so much and they are definitely going to be missed next year but they have left enough of a good example that our girls will be able to take after them.”

The selection of TU will be somewhat of a homecoming for Averie and Aricka as their mother, Angie Belcher, hails from Tiffin and has immediate family, including her parents, still living in the area.  “They’re such homebodies.  They’re excited that they will be near family,” said Ms. Belcher.  “They will have relatives that haven’t seen them a lot will get to see them play and they get to go watch cousins play that go to Calvert (High School).”

As dynamic and successful as this Lutz duo is on soccer pitch, they bring an equally energetic and effective skill set to the basketball court.  “Their effort is second to none,” said Swanton Girls Head Basketball Coach Eric Oakes, describing Aricka and Averie’s work ethic.  “If you have a day off, they text you about shooting or getting extra lifting.  It’s

all season long.  “Their effort on the court, if you’ve ever watched them, they’ve made plays over their career that you don’t see girls make such as diving and taking charges.  At 5’2” they play much bigger.  They’re two girls that just get after it and love to compete in whatever sport they play.”

That effort has not gone unnoticed by opposing coaches who vote on post-season recognition awards.  Both Averie and Aricka have been honored multiple times in both sports.

Averie has been named First Team All-NWOAL in soccer twice and Second Team once and First Team All-District twice and Honorable mention once.  In basketball she was named First Team All-NWOAL once, Second Team once, Second Team All-District once and Honorable Mention All-District once.

Aricka has been named First Team All-NWOAL twice and Second Team once, First Team All-District twice and Honorable Mention once and Second Team All-Ohio twice.  In basketball she was named First Team All-NWOAL once, Second Team once, First Team All-District once and Honorable Mention once and Special Mention All-Ohio once.  In her junior season Aricka also won the NWOAL scoring title.

Team success has also followed the Tiffin University commits. The Lady Bulldogs won the NWOAL Soccer Championship this past fall and advanced to the District Finals before their season ended.  The Lady Basketball Bulldogs recently won an OHSAA Sectional Tournament Championship and have moved into the District Tournament. 

Pictured:  Aricka and Averie Lutz with mother, Angie Belcher and father, David Lutz