Nine Republic athletes committed to college programs Wednesday. Jazzy Kirby, Drew McMillin, and Savana Powell-Goodman will play college basketball. Tyra Campbell and Sarah Hicks will play soccer. Kaitlyn Ragsdale and Avery Romans will play softball. Landon Porter will play football, and Jasmyn Douglas will run track. We have a Q&A with each of them below (listed alphabetically).
Tyra Campbell – Evangel University (Soccer)
What are you looking forward to the most about college athletics?
I’m really looking forward to the more competitive atmosphere and the environment that Evangel has to offer. I love that it’s a Christian school, so I will be able to grow my faith and grow a relationship with the girls on the team, along with my coaches.
What do you think you’ll take from your time at Republic as a player that carries over?
I think I will take that teammate aspect here at Republic. I’ve learned a lot about my team and how to be a better friend and person off of the field, so I’m excited to take that with me into Evangel.
Jasmyn Douglas – Drury University (Track & Field)
Tell me why you chose Drury.
I chose Drury because I really felt wanted there. I felt really special going there. At MSU, they weren’t really offering me anything, and I was kind of in the background, and Drury really made me feel like I was important, and that was a big asset to them.
What are you looking forward to the most about competing there?
I’m looking forward to having some competition because in high school, it’s not like a lot of people want to run the 800. It’s a tough race. So I’m looking forward to being able to have a lot of people that are going to push me, and hopefully gt a really good time and keep bettering myself.
Sarah Hicks – Evangel University (Soccer)
Why Evangel?
I was really blessed with the opportunity to go there because it’s so close to home and I definitely don’t want to leave my parents. Also, I really appreciate the fact that it’s centered around Christianity, because that’s been such a huge part of my life. So I can stay close to home, I get to have a college that is centered on God, and it’s just a win-win. I’m really excited to go.
Tell me what you’re looking forward to the most about playing in college.
I’m just looking forward to meeting the people that are going to be there. I’ve already met a few through camps and I love them, because they’re so sweet. So I’m really excited to make new friends.
Jazzy Kirby – Evangel University (Basketball)
What will you take from your time as a Lady Tiger to Evangel?
I think one of the most important things that I’m going to take is just the importance of community. Coming from Nixa to Republic… I’m really glad this is where I ended up, and I’m really thankful for not only Republic and the community inside the school with academics and athletics, but the coaches and teammates were phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for better.
What are you looking forward to about Evangel?
I’m super excited that it’s a Christian school, so that’s going to make me feel at home. Not only that, but being able to play basketball with Jade again, so having our sibling – the same thing that we did our first couple years here. I’m excited to play with her again.
Drew McMillin – Southwest Baptist University (Basketball)
Tell me what you’ll take from your time as a Republic Tiger to SBU.
I think I’ll take the relationships that I’ve made with all the coaches here and my friends. I think that we’ll always have that bond. Our coach has done a really good job of keeping our group tight together, especially through COVID … He ate lunch with us every day. We’re just always a part of his life and he’d bring his kids, and we knew them. So it’s going to be hard for me, obviously, to leave that, but I don’t think that’s something I’ll miss out on in the future.
What are you looking forward to the most about playing at SBU?
I’m just really happy I get to play four more years and that it’s not my last time playing basketball ever again. And I really liked the guys they have. It’s a Bible school, so all the guys on their team are really good people and fun to be around.
Landon Porter – Westminster College (Football)
What do you take from your football experience her at Republic?
I’m going to try to be a leader. I want to convert into that over there, too. I don’t want to be a follower – I want to be a leader on the team and help out everybody.
What was it about Westminster?
I went on a visit and I just loved the way the school was. I liked the feeling of being there, and I felt welcome.
What are you looking forward to the most about college sports?
I want to go and be the best on the field. That’s what I’m looking forward to. I’m a very competitive person, so I like…the best competition I can. I’m looking forward to that.
Savana Powell-Goodman – Lincoln Christian University (Basketball)
What do you think you’ll take from your experience as a Lady Tiger that you’ll carry with you now?
My teammates. They showed me how to be a teammate, and I think I’ll carry that on to Lincoln. I’m excited to continue to do big things and help others to do big things.
What was it about Lincoln Christian that appealed to you?
Definitely the coach. He seemed really intrigued with how I played and he was always reaching out. He reached out to me first, actually.
What are you looking forward to the most about college sports?
Definitely the higher level of competition.
Kaitlyn Ragsdale – Three Rivers College (Softball)
What do you take away from your experience in Republic that you think you’ll carry with you?
Definitely my hard work. I tried to push myself to be a better person … and tried to encourage others, especially when they were down.
What do you look forward to about college softball?
I look forward to playing at the next level – playing with new people and new coaches and getting more knowledge.
What was it about Three Rivers?
I love the campus, I love the coaches. They’re amazing. And I just really like the atmosphere.
Avery Romans – Mineral Area Community College (Softball)
What do you think you’ll take from your time at Republic?
The competitiveness. Dishman was always competitive, and my dad has always been, too. So it just kind of runs through me and my family, so I’m excited for that, as well.
Why Mineral Area?
It was funny, because when I was younger, I met the coach up at the lake one day, and he’s like, “If you … don’t have a place to go to, then call me and we’ll hook you up.” I went to some other schools, but I just really felt at home there.