Four Republic athletes committed to college programs at a National Signing Day ceremony on Wednesday. Cannon Ellison will play football at Evangel University, Ryder Davis will attend Evangel to play baseball, Gavin Collyott will play tennis at Cornell College in Iowa, and Lanney Strong will attend Webster University to play basketball.
Cannon Ellison – Evangel University – Football
RTS: Why Evangel University?
A lot of praying over it and thought, and it’s close to home. My brother (Gunner) just went there, Ryder’s going there. And I like the coaching staff a lot. It’s got a brand new indoor facility… and I just think it’s the one.
RTS: What are you looking forward to most about playing college football?
Well, first off, just being in a passing offense will be fun compared to our offense. Maybe getting to make some more plays and then just playing at the next level.
RTS: What do you take from your time at Republic that you think will carry over to college?
Not being selfish, and just my hard work, because that’s all I had to do in our offense, was go and block and play hard and be unselfish.
Football coach Ryan Cornelsen: The thing about Cannon that really stands out to me is the character and the position he plays is something that’s not easy to do. It’s not easy to play a receiver in an offense that runs the ball 95% of the time. I think the definition of why we’ve been successful as a team, the one underlying characteristic Cannon has, and that’s being unselfish.
Gavin Collyott – Cornell College (Iowa) – Tennis
RTS: Why Cornell?
Well, honestly, I think I picked it over some other places moreso for the fact of their academics. They really like to focus on their science department. And for someone that’s going to be majoring in that area with STEM, I’m really excited to have that sort of academic career there too, not only just for my athletics.
RTS: What are you looking forward to most about playing college tennis?
I’m looking forward to the higher caliber of people. Down in Missouri, you see a bunch of different skill sets. And honestly, I’m excited to be able to compete with them and really make something of myself.
RTS: What do you take from your time at Republic that you think will carry over to college?
My learning capabilities that I was taught through (coaches) Smashey and Romero and Coach Vales as well. The competition and how to take (lessons) from losing, specifically.
Tennis coach David Smashey:
Gavin’s been our leader. He loves to play. He’ll play with anyone, anytime. He’s always looking for something to add to his game. He listens to people carefully. He watches other people carefully. He learns from opponents. He learns from every experience. And it’s really made him a wonderful player.
Lanney Strong – Webster University – Basketball
RTS: Why Webster University?
Well, for a long time I actually questioned if I even wanted to play college basketball. And I still didn’t even know when I went there. But the second I stepped on campus and got to talk to my coach for the first time, it all just made sense. And God told me that’s where I was supposed to go and what I was supposed to do.
RTS: What are you looking forward to most about playing college basketball?
I think I’m excited for a new challenge. I’ve loved playing in high school, but I think going three hours away is really gonna see what I’m made of. And I think getting to play at a whole new level is just really exciting.
RTS: What do you take from your time at Republic that you think will carry over to college?
Especially this year, I’ve learned a lot. I’ve got to learn a lot about being a leader and what that looks like on the basketball court. And especially also this year, I’ve learned really what hard work, is even to a whole new extent. And I feel like I really have that in me and that will help me to the next level.
Basketball coach Tori Mooneyham:
I’ve been a part of this program for a long time, and if you made a list of Lady Tigers that put the most work in, Lanney would be on that list. She’s done more than just play travel ball. She’s put hours and hours into the gym, whether it’s private lessons, just shooting, free throws, anything to work on her game and make her better. And I’m proud of her for that. Along with her work ethic, this kid has a love and passion for the game. And as many hours that she has spent in the gym, she has spent that many more hours watching film and studying the game. And I think every coach would love to have a player like Lanney.
Ryder Davis – Evangel University – Baseball
RTS: Why Evangel University?
I feel like it was just a great spot for me when I visited coach. I just fell in love with campus at first sight. He’s a great guy. He connects with his players really well. And I think that’s very important for me. And I’m just excited to be there. And it’s super close to home, so all my family can come watch me.
RTS: What are you looking forward to most about playing college baseball?
Having fun, living through it. You hear a lot… on movies and stuff about how great it is. And I’m just ready to live that life and see if it’s how it is in the movies.
RTS: What do you take from your time at Republic that you think will carry over to college?
Leadership and culture and being close to all my teammates, because I’ve been around them my whole life, and being a leader… and proving myself and making new friends.
Baseball coach Curt Plotner:
He’s been a three-sport athlete his whole career. And I’m looking forward for him to be able to put all his focus on his baseball in the next couple of years and see how he can develop and grow. Evangel has a new coach and he’s doing a great job… and he’s getting a great player in Ryder.
