LCHS hosts College Sports Signing Day with Alex Downing, Kaelyn Froebe and Blake Jones

[November 14, 2017] 

Lincoln Community High School hosted a College Sports Signing Day on Friday afternoon at the LCHS Auditorium. Three seniors announced their plans to pursue an academic and athletic career beyond high school.

Alex Downing, Kaelyn Froebe and Blake Jones signed letters of intent with family, friends and teammates present.

The newest addition to the Lincoln College Swim Team is Alex Downing. Downing is surrounded by his parents, Bambi and Terry Downing.

Alex Downing is the son of Terry and Bambi Downing and he plans to attend Lincoln College to pursue a swimming career. Downing plans to major in Criminal Justice and he chose Lincoln College because of the “smaller, tight-knit community.” Downing also said, “Lincoln College has a well-developed swim program and I am excited that they are entering the NAIA for swimming as I enter as a freshman.”

Downing is a four-year member of the LCHS Swim Team and he was the MVP of the team his Sophomore year.

In addition to swimming, Downing participated in Writing Club and he is on the Student Leadership Team at Jefferson Street Christian Church.

McKendree University's newest member of the Women's Basketball Team, Kaelyn Froebe, is surrounded by family. Siblings Kruz and Kloe are seated by mom and dad, Kari and Kent Froebe. Brother Kaden was unable to attend the signing.

Kaelyn Froebe is the daughter of Kent and Kari Froebe. Kaelyn plans to attend McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill. and play women’s basketball.

Froebe plans to major in Special Education with a minor in Psychology.

Froebe chose McKendree University because, “The coaches are incredible and the players are very nice with Lebanon being in the perfect location. At McKendree University, I felt as if I were at home.”

Froebe is a four-year member of the LCHS Lady Railers Basketball Team and she was voted the MVP of the team her Sophomore and Junior years.

Left to right are: Alex Downing, Kaelyn Froebe and Blake Jones.

Froebe's other athletic accolades include: Special-Mention All-State, 4th Team All-State, Most points scored in a season (551) her Sophomore year and Central State Eight All-Conference. Froebe has also played volleyball, participated in track and is involved in Student Government at LCHS.

Blake Jones is the newest member of the UIS Cross Country & Track & Field Team. In the front row Jones is surrounded by parents Chris and Kelly Jones. In the back row are Jones’ coaches Matt Silkowski (Track & Field) and Kaitlin Mason and Carissa O’Donoghue (Cross Country). 

Blake Jones is the son of Christopher and Kelly Jones and he plans to attend the University of Illinois at Springfield to pursue a career in Cross Country and Track and Field.

Jones plans to major in Criminal Justice and he chose UIS citing that, “This was the best option to further my education and to develop my running career due to their more personal approach to coaching.”

Jones was a four-year member of the Cross Country and Track and Field Team at LCHS and he has achieved much success as a Railer. His accolades include: Sophomore year - Track and Field All-Conference and State Qualifier 1600m Junior Year - Cross Country and Track and Field All-Conference, MVP, Capital Region All-Star Preps First Team in Cross Country and Track and Field. State Qualifier in Cross Country plus 800m in Track and Field. Senior Year - State Qualifier in Cross Country, 17th place finish at State and All-State Medalist.

Jones also played soccer at LCHS and he was a Three-Sport Athlete his Sophomore and Junior years.

Congratulations to all three of these student-athletes and Lincoln Daily News wishes them well in their collegiate careers.

[Teena Lowery]