Planning the Future: Pirate Athletes Sign to Future College

Emma Artlet has signed with Illinois College to continue to play tennis. Artlet decided on this division III school for the life-to-school balance. “The school focuses on the student before they focus on you as an athlete. I am mostly going to school for academics and I still wanted free time," she said....

Ian Bailey has signed with Lindenwood University to continue cheerleading. “I’m most excited to meet new people and explore new places and live the college dream," Bailey said.

Britini Benedict has signed with St. Charles Community College to play soccer.  “It was difficult trying to choose a college and trying to decide where it would best fit me but I had a lot of people who helped me through it,” Benedict said.

Charlie Burns has signed with William Woods University to continue playing baseball. He also hopes to join the bowling team. Burns is excited to be at a school that allows him to do both sports and make his own schedule and priorities, “to be more independent in life,” Burns said. ...

J'nylah Curtis has signed with Harris-Stowe University to continue playing basketball. “I really like the coach and the energy they have on their team," Curtis said. She decided to stay close to home for a few years because "I’m still so young and I wanted to just get a feel of the HBCU vibe." Curtis is most nervous about “going against grown women because I’m just so used to going aga...

Karmen Daniels has signed with Fontbonne University to play softball and continue her education. Daniels said she was nervous leading up to the signing. "I'm nervous about going to school and being a student-athlete while going to college," she said. Daniels didn't want to go to a school with a huge campus, and Fontbonne is a smaller school. "I met the team and coaches and they're all ver...

Jasmine Gray has signed with Washburn University to continue playing basketball. PattonvilleTODAY Staff were unable to include an interview from Gray.

Camryn Hubbard has signed with Iowa State to continue to run for track. “I'm excited and anxious to start competing at the college,” Hubbard said.

Megan Hughes has signed with William Woods University to play soccer. “I visited a bunch of schools and really clicked with William Woods and I felt very relieved," Hughes said.

Kyle Kaemmerer has signed with William Woods University to play soccer.  “I’m most excited for being in a new environment, meeting new people, and making new friends," Kaemmerer said. "It’s going to be an exciting experience.”

Austin Kirton has signed on with Culver-Stockton to play Baseball. Kirton decided to sign with Culver-Stockton because “I like how it fits all my needs for a school. It was small, small class sizes, and I got to meet the coach firsthand and just talked to him, learned his philosophies, and learned how he runs stuff and it was really cool. "They are really good in elementary education, whi...

Madison Leckrone has signed with William Woods University to play softball. “I decided on William Woods mostly for softball, I was observed at a tournament and was later emailed about it,” Leckrone said. “Then, I decided to visit and I really loved the feel of the town and the campus.”...

Jordyn Maryas has signed with Missouri Baptist University to play soccer. “I’m most nervous for the 5 a.m. practices, but I’m really excited to play,” Maryas said.

Mattie Ohlsen has signed with Lindenwood University to play soccer.  “I was definitely anxious throughout the recruiting process, but once I talked to the coaches, I knew right away this is where I want to go before I officially committed to them,” Ohlsen said.

Jackson Podmore has signed with St. Louis Community College to play baseball.  “I’m most nervous to see how the other people in my position [catcher] are like and how I’ll compete against them for a starting spot," Podmore said.

Allison Schrumpf has signed with Lindenwood University to play soccer.  “I am most excited to get to know my new coach and new team, to play soccer at a new level and I'm excited for my suite mate Mattie,” Schrumpf said.

Rebecca Simpkins has signed with Roosevelt University to continue playing soccer. “I decided to go to Roosevelt because of the location and the program for my major which is journalism and political science," Simpkins said. ...