'Berg's Niederkohr earns All-American status on special teams

Carey High School has had steady success in their athletic programs, including their football team winning a state title in 2021.But, there is an alumni that is continuing to write his legacy as a graduate of a tough, physical football program.Austin Niederkohr.A sophomore at Heidelberg University achieved a goal and is only the second in Blue Devils history to earn All-American status.According to the list from d3football.com, Niederkohr was listed as a first-team All-American for special teams. Teammate Drew Miller was a third-team selection at running back."I feel so honored to have achieved such an accolade," Niederkohr said. "An All-American award has been a goal of mine since I came to college and yet alone being named first team, it was a blessing."Niederkohr plays on special teams for the Student Princes (6-4, 5-3), and his stats included blocking four punts and two kicks this past season. He also had 13 tackles in coverage duties."I'm so excited Austin got recognized for his efforts and production," 'Berg coach Scott Donaldson said. "These types of players don't often get recognized in the postseason honors, so it's really special."Adding to his accolades this season: receiving the All-Ohio Athletic Conference Special Teams award and named All-OAC first team special teams, and he received All-Region 4 first-team defense special teams.His journey at HU started off as any new freshman to campus in the Fall of 2024: a little bit nervous and not knowing his place.As for football, he felt that he had something to prove. Niederkohr was named first-team All-Northern 10 Athletic Conference in 2022-23. He was also named All-Ohio first team Division VI in '23."Coming into football, I felt that I had something to prove since I'm from a small school," Niederkohr said. "I felt I had to prove myself coming from Carey and being among athletes from other schools that are bigger, especially ones out of state. Over time, I learned my role on the team and what I could do to help my team in my own way."Donaldson knew that they were getting a great player."He has been on special teams since freshman year," Donaldson said. "He has been a killer for us. Coach (Jonathon) Mershman over at Carey did a great job and had him ready to play college football. He has developed into a more complete player and great leader. We had to bring it into focus a little bit."Niederkohr isn't the first football player to come out of Carey to gain All-American status. According to records, there was one other football player to achieve All-American status from Carey and that was Don Wedge. Wedge was named All-Ohio College and Little All-American Fullback in 1950. He passed away in 2012.Special teams is a role Niederkohr doesn't take lightly. The skills to be a part of Donaldson's special teams units includes blocking, tackling, speed, coachability and the ability to listen to what adjustments are being made for that week."You can ask Coach Donaldson," Niederkohr said. "Being on special teams is a privilege. You have to give full effort and pay attention in order to earn a spot on special teams."One of the biggest challenges of being on special teams: knowing who that person will be up against, because one minute it could be someone small and fast vs. another minute where it could be a bigger athlete, and that can throw off timing or what an athlete has to do.Niederkohr isn't wanting to stop with just one All-American honor. He hopes to get another one on either special teams or on the defensive side of the ball, as well as help the Student Princes compete for a playoff bid or bowl game."If Austin keeps developing the way he has in the 18 months he's been here he could end up being one of the best safeties/football players to graduate from here, and that's saying a hell of a lot," Donaldson said.Donaldson has one goal for all of his guys: to make them into great young men. Off the field, Niederkohr's goal is to make it into HU's Masters of Athletic Training program. Donaldson's goal of Niederkohr is for him to become one of the best football players he can be."Playing college football has been a truly great experience for me," Niederkohr said. "Being on a team builds a ton of discipline. I have made tons of lifelong friends that I would have never met outside of the team, and it truly is like a family."While he is far from the gridiron of Wentling Field, the Blue Devils support and love for their athletes has only grown for Niederkohr in his collegiate career."Being from a small local school, it is truly unbelievable ever after graduating the amount of love and support I have been shown from Carey throughout my collegiate career," Niederkohr said.