Countryside's Ryan Halter commits with Ave Maria

Countryside kicker Ryan Halter made his college decision this past weekend by committing to Ave Maria University, Cougars coach Jared Davis said.

Halter, a second-team all-county selection, is the seventh Countryside kicker to play in college since 2002. The others are Jon Peattie (Miami),  Chase Hobby (Navy), Zach Hobby (Delaware), Josh Martinez (Memphis), Pete Kontodiakos (Colorado State) and William Griswold (Southern).

Halter also is the fifth Countryside player from the 2011 class who has either committed or signed to play in college and the second to go to Ave Maria, joining receiver Joey Lombardi. Ave Maria, which will make its football debut in the fall, has done well recruiting the county. Besides Halter and Lombardi, the school also has signed Clearwater Central Catholic's Dan Higinbotham and has gotten former Tarpon Springs standout Danny Reyes (Grambling) and former Countryside star Richard Shockley (Quincy) to come via transfer.

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