News Summary
Matt Ponatoski, a talented athlete from Moeller High School, has announced his verbal commitment to play football and baseball at the University of Kentucky. This marks a historic achievement as he is the first athlete in Ohio to receive Gatorade Player of the Year honors for both sports in the same academic year. With impressive stats in both football and baseball, Ponatoski has drawn attention from numerous college programs, ultimately choosing Kentucky to pursue his dual-sport collegiate career.
Cincinnati, Ohio — Matt Ponatoski, a standout dual-sport athlete from Moeller High School, has made headlines by announcing his verbal commitment to play both football and baseball at the University of Kentucky. This decision marks a historic moment, as he is the only athlete in Ohio to receive Gatorade Player of the Year honors for both sports in the same academic year.
Ponatoski’s impressive performance as a quarterback earned him the title of Ohio Mr. Football and Gatorade Ohio High School Football Player of the Year. He threw for an astounding 4,217 yards and 57 touchdowns during the 2024 football season, contributing significantly to Moeller’s successful run to the Division I state finals, finishing with a 14-2 record.
In addition to his football accolades, Ponatoski was recognized as the Gatorade Ohio High School Baseball Player of the Year as a shortstop and pitcher during the past season. He posted a remarkable .440 batting average, along with four home runs and 38 runs batted in, helping lead his baseball team to a 25-4 record and a spot as a Division I regional finalist.
Prior to choosing Kentucky, Ponatoski considered several other prestigious football and baseball programs, including Alabama, Arkansas, and Oregon. His desire to pursue a dual-sport collegiate career reflects his ambition to “never want to be normal,” and he eagerly anticipates the rare challenge this presents.
Throughout the NCAA’s recruiting contact period in January, over 30 college football programs visited Moeller High School to evaluate Ponatoski’s talents. This recruitment process provided him with opportunities to showcase his skills directly to college coaches, which played a pivotal role in solidifying his decision to commit to Kentucky.
Ponatoski celebrated his 17th birthday in March and enjoyed strong support from his coaches and family during the recruitment process. His football coach, Bert Bathiany, commended his calm demeanor and regarded him as the best player in Ohio according to local talent evaluators. Additionally, Ponatoski participated in the Elite 11 Finals, a prestigious event for aspiring quarterbacks, further highlighting his skill and exposure.
Throughout his high school career, Ponatoski established numerous records at Moeller, including career passing yards, season passing yards, and career passing touchdowns, with many of his statistics placing him prominently on the Ohio High School Athletic Association state record lists. His accomplishments were recognized with a Buddy LaRosa’s High School Sports MVP award for the 2024-25 school year.
Looking ahead, Ponatoski will open the 2024 football season on August 23 against Princeton, which is followed by a game scheduled in West Clermont. His commitment to the University of Kentucky not only enhances his academic and athletic prospects but also sets a benchmark for future dual-sport athletes within Ohio and beyond.
Ponatoski’s commitment to excel in both football and baseball at the collegiate level has drawn attention from sports enthusiasts and athletes alike, showcasing the exceptional talent emerging from Moeller High School.
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Additional Resources
- WCPO: Matt Ponatoski Verbally Commits to University of Kentucky
- WCPO: Ponatoski Named Gatorade Ohio Baseball Player of the Year
- WCPO: Matt Ponatoski Named Ohio’s Mr. Football
- Wikipedia: Matt Ponatoski
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Matt Ponatoski
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