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Rogalski remains two-sport athlete at Wesleyan

NEW MARTINSVILLE – Magnolia standout wide receiver Stephen Rogalski will continue his student-athlete status this fall at West Virginia Wesleyan.

The three-time first team all-state wideout, who holds a trio of Blue Eagle school career records, has decided to continue his education for the Bobcats, where he will play football and run track.

Set to finish in the top 10 percent of his upcoming graduating class, Rogalski has a cumulative 3.9 GPA and thanks to both academic and athletic scholarships will not have to pay anything for his college education.

“When I was little I definitely dreamed of playing at Alabama or Notre Dame or something like that,” said Rogalski, who was a two-time Class AA first team wide receiver before earning Class A all-state honors this past gridiron season where he was named captain of the offensive unit.

“I was just really hoping to get my college education paid for and go to school for free, big or small school. Education is the main thing. I’m really excited and blessed to have that opportunity at Wesleyan.”

Currently playing for the Blue Eagles on the basketball court, once track season is done this spring Rogalski will have earned 11 varsity athletic letters – four each in football and track and three in basketball.

“I didn’t want to give up football and that was the main thing,” Rogalski said of finally deciding upon Wesleyan. “I had it narrowed down to Wheeling Jesuit, which obviously doesn’t have football, and Wesleyan. It was a hard decision.

“But the offer, it’s a full ride. It’s really hard to pass up going to school for free. Doing track at Wesleyan is just a bonus.”

Rogalski, who owns Magnolia career records in receiving touchdowns, yards and catches, credits his parents Steve and Eva for his success.

“It was God given,” Rogalski said of his athletic talents. “I was very blessed and He blessed me with two great parents and two of the most supportive parents you could have. Whatever event it was they supported me 100 percent.

“Having that support system and the natural God given talent, I don’t want to say it was easy, but they set me up to succeed and I will be thankful forever to them for that.”

Although Rogalski is uncertain of a future major and might spend his freshman year as undecided, he is planning to room at Wesleyan with Bobcat running back recruit Nick Asturi.

“My good friend from across the river, who goes to River, he committed about three hours after I did,” Rogalski added of Asturi. “We are going to go over together and have a lot of fun, but a lot of hard work together.”

Aside from his three career receiving records at Magnolia, Rogalski’s other top moments include a 99-yard kickoff return against Williamstown in the playoffs this year along with a 99-yard touchdown catch against Chapmanville in the state quarterfinals during his 10th-grade year.

“When I get to Wesleyan I’ll play whatever they tell me to,” said Rogalski, who was recruited as a wideout. “I’m not going in with the mindset of being only a receiver.

“(Especially) if I can get early playing time returning kicks or playing defensive back. I like the offensive side of the ball, personally.”

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