Four Republic High School athletes committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Nevaeh Ghan will play volleyball at Lyon College, Lilli Richerson will play softball at Ottawa University, and baseball players Isaac White and Jackson Overstreet signed with Dodge City Community College and Three Rivers College respectively.
Nevaeh Ghan – Volleyball – Lyon College
Q: Why Lyon College?
A: It was a very, very good option because of the academics. What I want to do is biology stuff – they’re number one in Arkansas for that degree. I didn’t want to play at too high of a level because I felt that would be a lot of pressure. I really like what I chose, and it’s kind of foresty, there’s trails on the campus and stuff, so it’s kind of just my vibe.
Q: What are you looking forward to the most about playing college volleyball?
A: I’m really looking forward to all the trips because I know they play a lot of games, a lot of weekend stuff. Just always being on the road and being able to meet new people.
Q: What do you take with you from your time at Republic?
A: I’ve learned a lot at Republic. My competitive spirit grew so much just playing for Republic – so much I couldn’t even start. Everything I know is from here.
Lilli Richerson – Softball – Ottawa University
Q: Why Ottawa?
A: I just really loved the campus, and when I went on a visit, I was able to practice on their field and with the coaches… and I think it’s a really good choice for me.
Q: What are you looking forward to the most about playing college softball?
A: I’m looking forward to playing against different players. When we would play in high school, we would play, of course, local, and so we played them several times, so I’m excited to see new players, see new pitches and hitting, see new pitchers catching, so just playing against different people.
Q: What do you take from your time here at Republic that you’ll carry with you?
A: I’ll definitely carry all the memories that I’ve had with my teammates on and off the field. They have made me laugh all the time. I will carry probably my coach’s voice in my head. When I hit, if I’m struggling to get my foot down, he always yells at me for that. But yeah, I’ll probably carry my coach’s voice with me.
Isaac White – Baseball – Dodge City Community College
Q: Why Dodge City?
A: Well, I was committed somewhere else, and then my coach moved there, and he was a huge part in where I wanted to go. He sold me on the way he taught and the way he coached, and I just wanted to follow him. It’s a really good school, it’s a really good conference, it’s a lot of good competition, and so that’s the main reason.
Q: What are you looking forward to the most about playing college baseball?
A: JUCO baseball is not like anything else. It’s a grind, it’s real, it’s every day, it’s non-stop, it’s not for the weak-minded, and I’m all about that. I’m really excited for that.
Q: What do you take with you from your time here at Republic?
A: I’ve been through a lot of struggle here at Republic, and it’s really taught me a lot on how to work hard and how to get down and dirty and just keep my head down at work. I’m going to take a lot of that to college and really put it to work.
Jackson Overstreet – Baseball – Three Rivers College
Q: Why Three Rivers?
A: I went to a camp there in July. I’d heard from other people I should go check it out. I went to that camp and performed well, and (the coach said “I want you to come back.” I went back…about a month ago, and he…gave me an offer, and the next day, I was telling my family, this feels right. And I committed that day.
Q: What are you looking forward to the most about playing college baseball?
A: Definitely the hard work. I’m going the JUCO route, and I think that if I put in work and actually take it as serious as I do right now, I think I can transfer to a good four-year and do good things there. Like honestly, my plan is just to go play at a good four-year and finish it out somewhere. That’s what I’m looking forward to the most. And just meeting new teammates, having fun, obviously, and playing four more years of the game I love.
Q: What are you going to take with you from your time here at Republic?
A: Definitely the community. I love Republic… I’m definitely going to miss the community and definitely all my teammates, friends, coaches, they’ve helped me get here to this point and not having them around next year is going to feel different. That’s probably what I’ll take away the most here in my four years at Republic.
