Spotlight on students and parents at Lincoln Community High School sports signing day

[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.
 

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]