Seven Republic athletes celebrated their commitments to college sports programs Wednesday. Five are baseball players, one will play football, and one will play soccer.
Gavyn Beckner
Gavyn Beckner played football, basketball, and baseball during his high school career, and he will attend St. Charles Community College to play baseball.
Why St. Charles?
Over the summer I had a baseball tournament there and the field was better than most fields that we played at, so that caught my interest. Then their coach reached out to me. I went on a visit there and…their baseball team is on the come up. They’re getting a lot better. And Coach (Jeff) Bolen, who is my coach there, he was really cool. We really connected, and it just felt like home.
What are you looking forward to about college and college baseball?
Probably the main thing I’m looking forward to (not) being focused on any other sport, and I can just stick to baseball. I think that will help my baseball talent
What are you going to take from your time as a student-athlete in Republic?
I think the main thing will be learning how to be a good teammate and just being there for everyone on the team, and not just yourself. It’s a team sport, it’s not a “me” game.
Landon Carter
Landon Carter is a pitcher for the baseball team, and he will play baseball at Missouri Valley College in Marshall.
Why Missouri Valley?
They just got a brand new facility and they got a lot of money and a lot of new stuff there. I’m just excited to get better with all their equipment and everything. They made me the best offer, so we took it and I’m blessed have the opportunity.
What are you looking forward to the most about playing at the college level?
I think it’s seeing how far we can go with baseball and how good we can get. I feel like college is going to allow me to do that, (and to) keep on playing the game I’ve played since I was six.
Gunner Ellison
Gunner Ellison plays football, basketball, and baseball. He has committed to play football at Southwest Baptist University.
Why SBU?
I’ve talked to them for over a year, and I feel like I really built a relationship with the coaches there. Having younger siblings here at Republic playing sports, with SBU only being 45 minutes to an hour away, it gives me an opportunity to see my family and support them. So I feel like when the opportunity presented itself, everything aligned and I really felt like that was the place to call home.
Talk to me about the decision — not only the place, but the sport.
Football’s always really been my favorite. Growing up, it’s just been something that I fell in love with. Also, being able to follow my dad’s footsteps, and play college football like he did at William Jewel and going to SVU just felt like something that was right and I feel like there’s nothing else in this world that I want to do than go play college football. Alright.
What do you take from your time at Republic that you’ll carry with you?
I’ve made a lot of amazing relationships and friendships, and I feel like with all the coaches — football, baseball and basketball — I’ll have a relationship with them for years to come. The support here has been incredible. The atmosphere from Friday night lights to baseball and basketball games, it’s incredible being able to put on the orange and black and it’s something I’ll definitely miss.
Aidan Gregory
Aidan Gregory has played football and baseball, and he will attend North Arkansas College to play baseball.
Why North Ark?
It was my summer ball coach reaching out to them, trying to find me a spot somewhere. Luckily, they had a spot open and I went to a visit and it led to them making me an offer.
What are you looking forward to the most about college baseball?
The atmosphere and getting to know more people, and going further out than just Missouri — seeing what it’s like and seeing other programs and playing other teams.
What are you going to take from your time playing for the baseball program here in Republic?
I’m going to miss my coaches and all my teammates. I’ve enjoyed all the time I had playing here.
Ethan Meyer
Ethan Meyer was a captain of the soccer team. He will attend Rome City Institute in Italy with the goal of playing professional soccer.
How did Rome City Institute come about and why did you choose it?
It was on a recruiting website. (The coach) contacted me and we set up a Zoom call. I chose them to further my athletic ability to hopefully play when I’m older.
What about going to Europe? What do you think about that?
I’m so excited. I can’t wait. I’ve never been out of the country anywhere, so I’m really excited to see what other cultures are like and see what it is like to live over there. Me and my family are going a week before to vacation. So hopefully we can visit all the cool things before then, and then I can play with a club team over there and hopefully sign.
What are you going to take from your time at Republic?
Oh man, so much. Probably the work ethic that they instill in us. Not just the coaches, but the teachers as well. They try to push us and get the best out of everybody.
Collin Myers
Collin Myers is a baseball player and has committed to play at Highland Community College in Highland, Kansas.
Why Highland?
I took a visit there and I had a visit earlier in the year at a college in Springfield, and I figured it was a better fit for me with being a junior college and being actually play. The campus was really nice. I like the coaching staff.
What are you looking forward to about college sports?
I’m looking forward to being able to play baseball, the sport I love, every single day; and go out there and help them win a championship or anything like that. Just playing baseball with people that surround me that have the same interests.
Connor Sandridge
Connor Sandridge is a three-sport athlete in football, wrestling, and baseball. He will attend North Arkansas College to play baseball.
Why North Ark?
I had several offers for football and couple schools are interested in wrestling, but God just led me to believe that baseball is the way to go for me. I think I’ll have the most fun and it’ll be the most beneficial for me and my family. And it’s nearby —only an hour and 20 minutes away. I can come home on the weekends if I wanted to. I just think it’s the best fit for me.
What will you take from your time, not only in baseball, but just as an athlete here at Republic?
The dignity. Republic built me up very much. I played three sports on varsity for three years, and the people I met here pushed me to where I can become a collegiate athlete.