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Fort Frye football standout enlists in USAF

BEVERLY – Anthony Winters has had a change of heart.

The former Fort Frye football and wrestling standout was planning to continue his education and play football at Wilmington College, an NCAA Division III school and a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference, in the fall.

But at the end of last month, Winters changed his mind.

“I went to college orientation at Wilmington in late June,” Winters said, “and realized then that this was not going to work out. This was not for me.

“On the way home, my mom (Amanda Anderson) knew something was troubling me, so I told her that I had decided not to go to Wilmington, and that I wanted to join the Air Force. I was pretty confident about my decision.”

Winters paused.

“I think my mom understood,” he continued. “I mean, she wants what’s best for me.”

Winters’ father (Adam Winters) incidentally is an ex-U.S. Marine.

Anyways, after returning from Wilmington College, Winters hooked up with the U.S. Air Force recruiter in Vienna, W.Va., a day or so later, and enlisted. Just like that.

In essence, Wilmington College’s loss is the USAF’s gain.

“I’m so excited to be serving my country, and being a part of something great,” Winters said. “I can’t wait to get started.”

Winters’ enlistment is for six years, but….

“I think I might serve the full 20, so that I’ll be able to retire when I’m 38,” he said, laughing.

Winters said that he would “love to fly” but as it looked right now, he would probably be in “security” or “the military police.”

Interestingly, Winters had been thinking about being in the military for some time, going back to the eighth grade. Then, this year, he considered enlisting in the U.S Air Force with Fort Frye football line teammate Zach Hupp. He and Hupp were members of last fall’s undefeated regular-season Cadet team (10-0). FFHS then bowed out in the playoffs to finish 10-1.

“Zach and I talked about going in on the buddy system,” Winters said. “But then I decided to go attend college. Zach, though, is in there right now. I just got a letter from him the other day.”

Winters’ enlistment surprised Fort Frye head football coach Eric Huck a little bit.

“I haven’t talked or seen Anthony this summer,” said Huck of his first-team All-Ohioan. “I was hoping he would go there (Wilmington) and do well on the football team. But the Air Force is a good decision.”

Winters said that after getting a physical this week, he’s scheduled to be sent to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Tx., near the end of the summer.

“I’ll be shipping out to Lackland Air Foce Base at the end of August or the beginning of September,” he said. “That means, I’ll have about six more weeks before I go. Until then, I’ll be working hard to get in the best shape that I can get in. I’ll be running, lifting, doing a lot of push-ups and pull-ups.”

As a Fort Frye football player, the 5-foot-11 Winters’ playing weight was around 226 pounds. On the wrestling mat, he competed in the 195-pound weight class, and was a state alternate last winter.

Another perk about being in the military is that it’s a good opportunity to perhaps see some of the world.

“On my wish list are Italy, Germany, and Japan,” Winters said.

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