Five Lincoln Community High School athletes sign to colleges

[November 16, 2019] 

Five Lincoln Community High School athletes announced their intention to play collegiate sports on Wednesday, November 13, 2019. Emcee Cameron Kurtz called each athlete up to the stage for the “signing” of his or her letter of intent. Family, friends, teachers, coaches, and teammates attended the signing ceremony in support of the athletes.

Kaden Froebe, son of Kent & Kari Froebe, is headed to Missouri S & T in Rolla, Missouri to play basketball.

Froebe played basketball all four years at LCHS. He was Apollo First Team All-Conference his junior year and All-State Honors for basketball.
 

Froebe was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Government.

When asked why he chose this college Froebe wrote in his biography, “I saw the best chance for me to be successful in both my academic and basketball careers. Coach Walker has shown the most faith in me throughout my entire recruiting process.”

Kaden plans to study Business while at Missouri S & T.

Bayleigh Gillum, daughter of Jeremy Gillum, intends to play softball at Lincoln College. During her four years of softball at LCHS, Gillum won the Railer of the Week Award for April 29th, 2019, and the Most Improved Player Award. Her other activities at LCHS included Library Club, Land of Lincoln CEO, Football Dance Squad, Basketball Dance Squad, Competition Dance Team, and Fast Pitch Traveling Team.

Gillum wrote in her biography that she chose Lincoln College because, “The coaches are great. I will be close to all my family and friends. I can stay in my community.”

Gillum will be studying Business Management, and Community & Human Services.

Brooke Kitner, daughter of Jake and Kenda Kitner, will play volleyball at Indiana University Kokomo. Kitner played volleyball all four years of high school. While there, she earned the Saints Fall Classic All-Tournament Team, Central Illinois High School Volleyball All-Star, and Apollo Second Team All-Conference.

Other interests during her high school career included Club Volleyball at Illini Elite, Fitness Court Teen Ambassador, D.A.R.E. Volunteer, and United Way Volunteer.

Kitner is pursuing a degree in Nursing. She chose IUK because, “I get to play high level volleyball while going to one of the top nursing schools in Indiana. The coaches and team are amazing, and I get to live in a town four times the size of Lincoln.”

Payton Lanning, son of Gordon & Dawn Lanning, played soccer for four years at LCHS. He has decided to continue his soccer career at Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL. Lanning received many awards during his time at LCHS: carried four school records as a goalie, All-Sectional, Apollo Second Team All-Conference for three years, Junior Varsity MVP, Varsity Letter winner for four years, East Peoria All-Tournament Team, Varsity Defensive Player of the Year, Team Captain for two years, Boys Soccer Co-MVP Award.

Lanning's other activities included Illinois Fire Soccer Club Team, President of Senior Class, and National Honor Society.

Lanning chose Illinois College because, “Illinois College has a great education program and the soccer facilities are top of the line. I have good chemistry with the team and Coach Philpott is very personable and invested in his players.” Lanning will major in Secondary Education concentrating in History.

Faith Turley, daughter of Brian & Audra Turley will play soccer while attending Lakeland University in Sheboygan, WI. While playing soccer for four years in High School, Turley was awarded Central State Eight All-Conference, Apollo Second Team All-Conference, Apollo First Team All-Conference, and Academic All-Conference.

Turley's other activities included Football Dance Team for four years, Basketball Dance Team for three years, Competition Dance Team for three years and National Honor Society for two years. Turley’s decision to attend Lakeland University was because, “The college offers many opportunities for me as both an athlete and a student. I will be able to pursue my soccer career while also obtaining my bachelor’s degree to teach.” Turley wants to engage in a History Major.

Congratulations to these athletes, who achieved the goals set when they began at Lincoln Community High School. Best wishes to them as they prepare to move on in their athletic and academic visions. May each college experience be successful.

[Lisa Ramlow]