Covenant College

Niko returns to the Covenant this year as a junior pitcher for the Scots. Prior to Covenant, Niko played baseball for Capistrano Valley Christian School where he was the 2009 Pitcher of the Year and 2009 Orange County Athlete of the Year. He also played travel ball for the California Knights Baseball Association.

His parents are Sandy and Chris Knechtel. He has a younger brother, Riley. When he is not playing baseball for the Scots, Niko enjoys playing the guitar, playing basketball and football, writing, surfing, and snowboarding. Some of his favorite Bible passages are Deuteronomy 31:6, Romans 5:3-5, Proverbs 3:5, and Romans 15:13.

Niko is majoring in Philosophy and minoring in Youth Ministry and Psychology. After graduating from Covenant, he would like to be involved in ministry as a youth pastor or missionary, or use his God-given talents to work in network marketing.