Spotlight on students and parents at Lincoln Community High School
sports signing day
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[April 30, 2022]
Lincoln Community High School hosted a College Sports Signing Day on
Thursday, April 21 at the LCHS Auditorium. This year, fourteen
seniors announced their plans to pursue an academic and athletic
career beyond high school.
Emcee Cameron Kurtz shared information about each student. Kurtz
wished them the best and said they would always have a place here at
Lincoln Community High School.
As Kurtz talked about each student, they went to the stage for
photographs with their family and coaches.
The following students signed on to play a sport in college:
Scotty Battin III, son of Scotty Battin Jr. and Tiffany Battin.
Battin will play football for The University of St. Francis and
plans to major in nursing. From the moment Battin stepped on campus,
he said “I knew it was a perfect fit. I felt welcomed by the staff,
coaches and players. The University of St. Francis has my major as
well as a very talented team.” At LCHS, Battin played football for
two years. Awards include 2021 week eight Scholarly Athlete of the
week and two-time team captain. His other activities were track,
announcing baseball, Student Government, National Honor Society and
Student Body Vice-President.
Drew Bowman, son of Donnie and Amanda Bowman. Bowman will play
soccer at Ozark Christian College and plans to major to business.
Finding Ozark to be a very good Christian College Bowman said it
“will help me grow. It will also allow me the chance to play soccer
and go to school with my sister again. Finally, Ozark is a good
school for a good education. At LCHS, Bowman played soccer all four
years. Awards include the 2021-2022 Varsity Sports defense award,
2021 Apollo All-Conference 2nd team, 2021 East Peoria All-Tournament
team and three-time LCHS Athletic Honor Roll. His other activities
include the National Honor Society.
Emma Boyd, daughter of Rod and Donna Boyd. Boyd will join the dance
team at Illinois College and plans to major in Elementary Education.
In choosing Illinois College, Boyd said, “This college allows me to
be close to home, but also get the college experience. Illinois
College also gave me the perfect opportunity to further my athletic
and academic career.” At LCHS, Boyd has been part of the dance team
all four years. Awards include multiple technique awards for leaps,
turns and flexibility plus academic recognition all four years.
Other activities include National Honor Society, Future Business
Leaders of America, Student Government, Girls Gold, Lady Railer
Soccer and Studio/Competitive Dance.
Tony Gandolfi, son of William and Samantha Gandolfi. Gandolfi will
play football at Eureka College and plans to major in Criminal
Justice. When choosing Eureka College, Gandolfi said, “they have a
good program for the major I am interested in. I really enjoyed the
campus visit I took, and I really liked Coach Barth and what the
football program has to offer. At LCHS, Gandolfi has played football
all four years. Awards include 1st Team Apollo All Conference,
outside linebacker and Friday Night Rivals Week 8 MVP.
Abbie Glenn, daughter of Ronnie and Tiffanie Glenn. Glenn will play
softball at Mount Mercy University and plans to major in Nursing. In
choosing Mount Mercy, Glenn said, “MMU is a good school for nursing
and the softball team will not only make me a better player, but a
better person. At LCHS, Glenn has played softball all four years.
Awards include the 2019 Defense Award. Other activities include the
National Honor Society.
Ava Gorens, daughter of Liz Hays and Julian Gorens. Gorens will play
volleyball at Heartland Community College and plans to major in
Radiology. In choosing Heartland Gorens said, “I feel this is the
right college for me because they have a successful team and good
academic programs.” At LCHS, Gorens has played volleyball all four
years. Awards include most blocks and MVP. Other activities include
coaching for Fusion Volleyball.
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Evan Maynard, son of Josh and Erica Maynard. Maynard will play
football at Eureka College and plans to major in Sports Management.
When choosing Eureka, Maynard said, “Coaches and students have been
very welcoming, and it feels like home away from home.” At LCHS,
Maynard has played football all four years. Awards include 2nd Team
Apollo All-Conference, WC Handlin Award and outstanding senior
lineman. Other activities include Future Business Leaders of America
and Track and Field.
Bailee Pineda, daughter of Tricia and Brian Pineda. Pineda will play
tennis at Webster University and plans to major in Political Science
and Pre-Law. In choosing Webster, Pineda said, “I wanted to be part
of a successful tennis team and Webster is first in their
conference. Webster has great connections in the community of St.
Louis as it relates to my field of study, Pre-Law. At LCHS, Pineda
has played volleyball all four years. Awards include Apollo
All-Conference, MVP and four-year letter winner. Other activities
include the National Honor Society.
Elijah Pollice, son of Sal and Amanda Pollice. Pollice will play
football at Illinois College and plans to major in Business. When
choosing Illinois College, Pollice said it “has offered me a lot
while visiting. I instantly knew Illinois College was going to be my
future home for the next four years. I plan to succeed further in
football and my academic career. At LCHS, Pollice has player
football all four years. Awards MVP, Leadership Award for football,
1st Team Apollo All-Conference and All-State Basketball Team. Other
activities include basketball and baseball.
Drake Rutledge, son of Gabe and Lori Rutledge. Rutledge will be on
the Track & Field and Cross-Country teams at Greenville University
and plans to major in Secondary Math Education. In choosing
Greenville, Rutledge said it “is a small college that will allow me
to continue my academic career as well as athletic career.” At LCHS,
Rutledge has been part of the track and field and cross-country
teams for two years and part of these teams at another school the
other two years. Awards include Academic All-Conference,
All-Conference in Track and two state medals. Other activities
include National Honor Society and volunteering at Jefferson Street
Christian Church.
Garrett Slack, son of Diane VanDorn and Corey Slack. Slack will
participate in track at Illinois State University and plans to major
in Engineering. In choosing ISU, Slack said, “It is close to home
and offers many different programs for whatever I decide to pursue.
The track team will also challenge me to be the best I can be.”
At LCHS, Slack has been on the track team all four years. Awards
include 1st place in the 800 at the Indoor top times meet, 8th place
in the 400 at outdoor state junior year, the 2021 All-State Soccer
Team, 20-21 track MVP and 21-22 soccer MVP. Other activities include
soccer and cross country.
Allison Woolard, daughter of Janell and Tim Woolard. Woolard will
play golf for Blackburn College and plans to major in Criminal
Justice and Pre-Law/Psychology. In choosing Blackburn, Woolard said,
“when I visited the campus, I fell in love with it. I’m ready to
build the golf program back up.” At LCHS, Woolard has played golf
all four years. Awards include Apollo All-Conference, two-time MVP
and four-year varsity letter. Other activities include softball
freshman years, baseball manager and Future Business Leaders of
America.
Those who have signed with colleges but were unable to attend were
Jacob Baker and Trent Koehler. Baker will play baseball at Knox
College. Koehler will play baseball at Lincoln Land Community
College.
Gage Konnor Browne, who was also unable to attend, has signed up to
join the United States Air Force Air National Guard.
In closing, Kurtz asked the audience to give these students a round
of applause. Their accomplishments do not go unnoticed, and Kurtz
said we a thankful to have the opportunity to recognize them. The
future is bright for these young people because of the decisions
they have made as well as the support family and friends have shown
them over the years. Kurtz wished them all the best in their future
endeavors.
[Angela Reiners]
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