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Football: SWR lineman Ethan Wiederkehr bound for Northwestern

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The process began in earnest after his sophomore season, when as a two-way force for Shoreham-Wading River he helped lead the football team to its first Long Island title. Since then, Ethan Wiederkehr has been one of the most sought after players on Long Island for the Class of 2017.

Wiederkehr received offers from 18 colleges, he said, and after sorting through the myriad of options, he officially announced his choice Monday.

Surrounded by family at his Wading River home, Wiederkehr formally committed to attend Northwestern University to play football.

“What separated Northwestern was definitely the people there,” Wiederkehr said. “I loved the coaches and players. Talking to the players it was almost like looking in a mirror.”

At Northwestern, the 6-foot-5 Wiederkehr will join a program on the rise. Northwestern, who are also the Wildcats, posted a 10-3 record last year with wins over Wisconsin, Penn State and Stanford. The Wildcats lost to Tennessee in the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day. It was the team’s second 10-win season in the last four years.

Wiederkehr would most likely start off as an offensive tackle in college.

“There’s definitely a load off my shoulder,” he said of selecting a college, “but it was a fun experience. I was honored to be a part of it.”

The initial signing date for football players is Feb. 1, 2017.

College athletics run in the family for the Wiederkehr’s. Ethan’s father, Hans, played football at Syracuse. His sisters both played lacrosse in college. Rachel played at Ohio State (’10-’13) and Corinne played at Mary Washington (’12-’15).

“My sisters won the lacrosse state championship four times in a row,” he said. “I’ve been around them always winning and that’s what I wanted to do. Also academically they did really well in school and that’s what I try to live up to.”

Ethan has had plenty of success now in high school himself. The football team will ride a 24-game win streak into next year. And this past spring Ethan played on the Long Island champion boys lacrosse team.

Photo Caption: Ethan Wiederkehr (40) chases down John Glenn quarterback Wayne White in last fall’s county championship game. (Credit: Daniel De Mato, file)

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