Eight Republic athletes signed to continue their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level, representing basketball, softball, baseball, and football programs. Six will play football, one softball, one baseball, and one basketball.
- Awbree Berning — Basketball — Webster University
- Kara Goeke — Softball — Missouri State University–West Plains
- Grayson Hart — Football — Baker
- Gavin Lawhon — Football — Southeast Missouri State
- Braxton Lundberg — Football — Harding
- Elijah Phiri — Football — Southwest Baptist University
- Aiden Schaefer — Football — McKendree University
- Kyler Tate — Baseball — Metropolitan Community College
Awbree Berning — Basketball — Webster University
Q. Why Webster?
I really connected with the coach on my first visit. He really believes in me, and he’s always messaging me — asking how I am or if I have a game. That connection just clicked as soon as I got there, and I just knew.
Q. What are you looking forward to the most about college basketball?
I’m looking forward to the team. They’re having a really good season right now, so I’m excited to see my role on the team and just see what the team is all about.
Q. What do you think you’ll carry with you from your experience here at Republic?
I definitely think I stepped into more of a leadership role this year. I feel like that leadership will carry over to Webster, and I think I can bring a lot to the table with my talking on defense and being an overall leader.
Kara Goeke — Softball — Missouri State University–West Plains
Q. Why Missouri State University–West Plains?
When I visited and met with Coach Brooks, she was super nice to me and the team was really welcoming. I liked the campus — it was a little smaller, which I realized is what I liked more. The visit just really felt like home. When I scrimmaged with the team, I knew this was where I wanted to be for the next two years.
Q. What are you looking forward to the most about college softball?
Meeting new people. At Republic, we play the same teams every year, and I love the rivalries — I love playing Nixa and Ozark — but I’m excited to play with new girls and also play against new teams.
Q. What do you think you’ll take from your experience here at Republic that you’ll carry with you in college?
Definitely the mental toughness side of softball and the competitiveness I’ve been taught through the Republic Way, as we like to call it. Believing in myself, knowing that I have the capability to go out there and pitch my best game, and the competitive spirit that was really ingrained in me over my four years here.
Grayson Hart — Football — Baker
Q. Why Baker?
I chose Baker because it was a really good opportunity. They have a really good degree program, it’s a prestigious college, and most of it was getting paid for, so I wanted to take advantage of that opportunity. I also love the coaching staff there and what they’re all about.
Q. What are you looking forward to the most about playing in college?
I’m looking forward to the friendships I’m going to create there. College friendships are some of the best you’ll have for the rest of your life, so I’m excited for that. I’m also excited about the degree so I can get into a good career and a good field.
Q. What do you think you take with you from your time here at Republic that you’ll carry going forward?
I think my work ethic. I developed that here with Coach C — just working hard every day and seeing results if you do that. That’s definitely what I’m going to take into college, just working as hard as I can.
Gavin Lawhon — Football — Southeast Missouri State
Q. Why Southeast Missouri State?
The coaches showed a lot of love to me, and it’s not too far from home but not too close to home, so it’s kind of the right spot. And it’s the Division I level. I wanted to play at the Division I level, so I think that should be a cool experience.
Q. What are you looking forward to the most about college football?
Probably just meeting new people and getting as good as possible, better every day. They work really hard there, and I’m just excited for that experience.
Q. Is there one thing you take from this experience at Republic that you think will carry over and you’ll take with you?
Winning. We won a lot of games here. SEMO’s been really good the past 10 years, so I’m looking forward to winning there as well.
Braxton Lundberg — Football — Harding
Q. Why Harding?
I went there and it just felt like home. A lot of other places I visited, it was iffy. I walked in there, very welcoming. They’re very successful. It just felt like I belonged.
Q. What are you looking forward to the most about playing in college?
Obviously playing at the next level is a big step up, but improving. It’s a private Christian school, so increasing my faith even more, which is really important to me. Just getting better, too — another four years of getting better. I’m excited.
Q. What do you take from your experience here at Republic that you think you’ll carry with you?
The memories and the friendships. Football ends at some point, but the relationships I built with my friends, coaches, and everything — those will last a while. And the success and the fun I’ve had. It was truly memorable, and I’m very appreciative.
Elijah Phiri — Football — Southwest Baptist University
Q. Why Southwest Baptist?
I went on my visit and really liked the facilities, but I really liked the coaches. They have a new coaching staff, and they were all awesome people — great people. It just seemed like a great atmosphere, and I was ready to go there.
Q. What are you looking forward to the most about kicking in college?
I’m definitely looking forward to getting on the field as a freshman, so that’ll be fun. And Aiden signed in the same conference as me, so I’ll get to play against him. I’m definitely looking forward to that, and just getting out there, playing, and having fun.
Q. What do you think you take from your experience here at Republic that you’ll carry with you?
I think the biggest thing I’ve learned here is accountability, and how much it means to be accountable for the people around you. Especially with football — being accountable for your teammates and your coaches, and always being there for them.
Aiden Schaefer — Football — McKendree University
Q. Why McKendree?
When I went there, it was just a different vibe. I’ve gone on a couple school visits, and the coaches and players there — the hospitality they had — really stood out. They have a really nice weight room, a great workout facility, and they’re getting new turf next year. It was just the team, the whole aspect of everything. It just felt right.
Q. What are you looking forward to the most about playing football in college?
More competition, really. Bigger guys, more skill. I can’t wait to play against better competition so I can get better, too.
Q. What do you think you’ll carry from your experience here at Republic?
Probably just showing up. Coach Cornelsen pushed us a lot on accountability — showing up, assignments, and making sure that if you have that done, you can get your job done. So probably that.
Kyler Tate — Baseball — Metropolitan Community College
Q. Why Metropolitan Community College?
A couple schools reached out to me, but when I toured their campus, it really stood out. It just fits me. It’s nice and quiet. I love the coaches there — they’re super nice. They have a new coach, Coach Meade, and it looks like he’s really turned the program around. He’s a super nice guy, and I can’t wait to play for him.
Q. What are you looking forward to the most about playing in college?
I’m looking forward to just having fun with my teammates. That’s what college ball is all about at the end of the day. I’m excited to further my education, and I’m just ready to play some more baseball.
Q. What do you take from your experience at Republic that you think you’ll carry with you?
Friendships, and learning how to deal with adversity. Friendships — I’ve really learned how to socialize with people and stuff like that. And facing adversity — we don’t always have the easiest schedules. I think that really gets me mentally prepared for playing tougher teams.
Photos by David Brazeal
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