Ten Republic athletes have affirmed their commitments to play college sports. Nine of them play MSHSAA-sanctioned sports: Brooklyn Claxton and Rilynn Finley will play college volleyball; Molly Mason will play college basketball; Caide White, Trace Harrington, Devon Hughes, and Garrett Lester will all play college baseball; Jenna Belcher will compete in track and field; and Kristin Probst will run track and cross country. In addition, Mari Davidson became the first girl lacrosse player from Republic to sign to an NCAA school, committing to William Jewell.
Molly Mason – Basketball – Lyon College
Why Lyon?
It’s kind of a funny story. I didn’t know really at all about Lyon until Maggie (Molly’s sister) and I had a college list that we were kind of narrowing down, because neither of us wanted to go more than five hours away from home. And she sent me the link to go to Lyon’s website and was like, you should reach out. They’ve got a basketball program. So I just sent out an email and Coach Fowler responded so fast, so kind, and I was kind of in shock compared to communicating with other college coaches. He was just so quick to want to know about who I was as a person, not just as a player. And that immediately caught my attention because I was like, ‘This seems like a really close-knit community.’ I love how it’s a small college. And that’s really what caught my attention.
What are you looking forward to the most about college basketball?
I’m looking forward to playing at the college level. I’m excited to step into new responsibilities. I didn’t know I was really going to ever be granted this opportunity. So to even have it, I’m beyond grateful. And I’m just excited for everything, honestly.
And what do you think you’ll take with you from your time at Republic?
I have definitely had to learn to kind of fight back against adversity here at Republic. I started on the B team all middle school. But I worked my butt off. I had to learn how valuable the time is in the gym when nobody else is there beside you. The hours I spent, the thousands of shots, I’m going to carry that into college because it doesn’t stop when you commit. It doesn’t stop when you go to college. You’ve got to keep working. You’ve got to keep proving yourself. And I think that’s something I’m going to carry with me.
Brooklyn Claxton – Volleyball – Southwest Baptist
Why SBU?
Staying close to home was really important, but another thing that stuck out was their physical therapy program, because that’s what I’m wanting to do. And I know that they have one of the best programs in the state, so that was a really big thing for me, too. And it’s Christian, so I really wanted that aspect, as well.
What are you looking forward to the most about college volleyball?
I think just that I get to keep playing and meeting new people and playing with new people, new experiences. I’m excited to grow as a player and person more.
What will you carry with you from Republic?
I think realizing how important relationships are and knowing that it’s important to have a relationship with every single person on the court, and having that positive influence on everyone.
Rilynn Finley – Volleyball – Missouri State
Why Missouri State?
My family is a big part of my life, and so I wanted to make sure that they could always be there for all my games and still support me throughout the next four years. And I fell in love with the coaches and the team there, so that was just an easy decision for me.
What are you looking forward to the most about college volleyball?
It’s definitely more competitive, and that’s something that I like, like in club, playing more competitive, so I think I’ll fit in pretty easy with that.
And what will you take from your time playing volleyball at Republic?
I would say that friendships are very important, because the friendships I built through volleyball, I’m going to hold onto the rest of my life, and so I hope to do the same in college.
Kristin Probst – Track and Cross Country – Southwest Baptist
Why SBU?
From the start, SBU has definitely stood out in so many aspects. The team, the coaches there, and just the way that they incorporate their faith into learning has been something that really stood out to me. I definitely wanted to go to a Christian university, and it being so close to home just made it very easy for me. And they have a great team, and they’re really competitive, so it was just a great option for me.
What are you looking forward to the most about running in college?
Something that I’m looking forward to the most is just how big the team is and being able to run with more people. In the last few years, our cross country team has grown. However, we still just have a few girls, and I’m so excited for having like 20 girls around me that all love running as much as I do.
What do you think you’ll take from your experience competing at Republic that you’ll carry with you?
Just learning to put the hard work in. I’ve learned to love running. Freshman year, I really didn’t enjoy running as much as I do now, and so that’s been really cool just to watch me grow so much. But also just like over the years, I’ve just really grown in a sense that I love the sport and I’m ready to do it for another four, so yeah.”
Jenna Belcher – Track and Field – Missouri State
Why Missouri State?
When we started deciding on colleges, I really decided that I just don’t want to go away from home. And once Missouri State reached out and I went on my official tour, I just fell in love with the campus, and I really love the coaches and the atmosphere there.
What are you looking forward to the most about college track?
I am looking forward to just competing at the next level, and being around crazy-good athletes, and being pushed to be better every single day.
And what do you think you’ll take from your time competing at Republic?
I will take a lot of memories with me, a lot of memories. And I am looking forward to this next year and what our girls team as a whole can do. And last year was very successful, so I’ll definitely take that with me. But I know that we can do it again and hopefully even farther.
Garrett Lester – Baseball – Mid-America Nazarene
Why Mid-America Nazarene?
I just think it’s gonna be a great place for me to go. The population there isn’t that big. It’s about the same as this high school, and I feel like that’s just great for me. I kind of thrive in that school environment. I feel like their baseball program is also good enough for me to go there and be able to compete with everyone else that’s there, too, for a spot.
What are you looking forward to the most about college baseball?
I’m just looking forward to being able to go out and improve on my talent and meet new people there and make new friends, and have a good time overall.
What do you think you’ll take from your time competing at Republic that you’ll carry with you?
I feel like a lot of the lessons I’ve been taught by my coaches here—they teach me a lot. They tell me how to get through life and how to get through some struggles and challenges, and I feel like that’ll carry over and help me compete there, as well.
Devon Hughes – Baseball – Jefferson Community College
Why Jefferson?
Because my brother went there, and he’s loving it, and the coaches are super nice. I’ve talked to him multiple times, and they’re just super nice guys, and they’ve encouraged me to go there, and they’ve given me a scholarship, so it was a pretty easy choice.
What are you looking forward to the most about college baseball?
Mainly making new friends, making new memories, and playing a higher level of baseball.
And what are you going to take with you from your experience at Republic?
Mainly just having fun with the game and not making it a job. If you just have fun with it, it’ll be something you can do for a lifetime, but as soon as you make it a job, it’s going to be difficult to play every day.
Trace Harrington – Baseball – SIU Edwardsville
Caide White – Baseball – Central Arkansas
Why UCA?
I just kind of got a feeling first time I stepped on campus. I know it sounds crazy, but the color purple just kind of felt cool, something different. I played in a tournament there, and I was just thinking, ‘Man, this feels really cool.’ And then the more I started thinking, I was like, ‘Why don’t I pursue this school?’ So I reached out, and everything fell into place, and there it is.
What are you looking forward to the most about college baseball?
The thing I’m looking forward to the most is growing that connection with all the guys. I’ve heard playing a sport in college is kind of like a full-time job, but a full-time brotherhood. So you get a lot of fun experiences, traveling the nation, playing baseball. I’m ready for the grind, I’m ready for the hard work, and I’m ready to see where it propels me to the next level.
What do you think you’ll take from your time at Republic that you’ll carry with you?
My time at Republic’s been great. I think I’ll take most of my mechanics, honestly. I think I’ve really dialed it in for the most part. Coach Neufeld and Coach Plotner have done a great job teaching me and giving me a lot of mental tips and physical tips, and it’s been a great time at Republic.
Mari Davidson – Lacrosse – William Jewell
why William Jewell?
I love the campus and I love the coaches, they’re really nice. And the first time I came to campus two years ago, I loved it immediately. And it just felt like it was the right place for me.
What are you looking forward to the most about college lacrosse?
I’m looking forward to being on campus and getting to know my teammates. I’m also really excited to be a part of a competitive team and improve my skills every day. The college game is so much faster and better and I’m excited to get my skills to meet that level of play.
What do you think you’ll take from your experience playing lacrosse down here at Republic?
My experience with Republic Lacrosse was great. I have learned may valuable life lessons. I’ve made countless friendships that I will remember for the rest of my life. And I’m truly grateful for everything my coaches and teammates did for me. I look forward to seeing this program grow in the near future.