Chrisman Athletes Participate in Winter Signing Ceremony
It was a special day for four Chrisman athletes on February 4 as they committed to continue playing sports in college as part of the winter signing ceremony after school in the atrium.
D’Vontae Brown, Kelsey Newland, Maggie Beem, and David Flores each realized their dreams of competing at the next level as they signed letters of intent in front of friends, family and fellow Bears.
Jon Sartin and Elizabeth Straub signed earlier in the winter.
D’Vontae Brown
D’vontae Brown is achieving one of his many goals by signing to play football at Pitt State.
“I am looking forward to graduating college,” Brown said, saying that it isn’t all about playing football. “I feel comfortable at Pitt, and it wasn’t bad being away from home.”
When it comes to football though, Brown, an All-Conference and All-District athlete, is “excited for night games.”
He also has big team goals.
“I’m hoping to get a national title.” he said.
Kelsey Newland
Kelsey Newland is excited to continue her academic and cross country career at Westminster College.
“I’m excited to start the journey of law school,” Newland said. “Moving out of Independence is exciting and I’m ready to get out of here.”
It’s an honor for Newland to have gotten this far, running cross country in college has always been a dream and she said she’s excited that she has gotten the opportunity to.
Newland was a part of the first Lady Bears team to win the City Champs team title since 1989.
David Flores
David Flores is achieving one of his many goals by signing to Coffeyville Community College, allowing his football career to continue into college.
“Coffeyville has a good football program,” Flores stated. “The environment is nice and it felt like everyone has good school spirit.”
College isn’t all about football for Flores he wants to earn a college education and strides to graduate in 4 years.
“It means a lot to me because I’m the first generation in my family to play sports in college,” said Flores. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”
He looks forward to the new and fun experiences, allowing him to start the journey of life, and meeting new people along the way.
Maggie Beem
Maggie Beem gets to continue her soccer career in college as she signed to play at Truman State.
Everything Beem has done over the past 15 years was for a reason, and it has paid off. She gets to do what she loves as she experiences college and all the new exciting moments life will bring
her.
“I fit in well with the soccer team, Beem stated. “I am very glad to be playing soccer and am looking forward to having fun.”
Beem is excited for Truman State for many reasons, one of these being that, “They have a major exercise science program and it is a very
strong academic school.”
Being further away from home was also a strong point for Beem signing to Truman.She was a three-sport varsity letterwinner and was a key part of the success of both the girls’ basketball and cross country teams.
Elizabeth Straub
Elizabeth Straub will see her dream of running in college come true after her commitment to Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa during a signing ceremony after school on Wednesday, January 27, in the atrium.
“Signing was exciting and also very nerve racking,” Straub stated. “I see big things for my future in running both cross country and track, with nationals just one of the my many hoped for accomplishments.”
Straub was a two-time Sectional qualifier, a two-time individual winner of the Independence City Championships, a two-time All-Conference selection, has been All-Area Honors, and also part of the girls’ team this year that won the team City Champs title for the first time since 1989.
“The past four years running cross country and track have been very exciting, crazy, and interesting. I have had the opportunity to be a part of a team that became a very close family,” stated Straub. “The accomplishments are something anyone can achieve but, having the family, not just at home to support you, is probably my favorite accomplishment over the last years I have ran.”
Jon Sartin
Jon Sartin saw his goal of playing college soccer come true after signing to play at Blue River next year.
“It means a lot because it is something I have worked for,” the senior goalkeeper said.
Sartin signed during a ceremony after school in the atrium on December 16 in front of friends, families, Chrisman coaches as well as his coaches to be.
He said he picked Blue River because it is close to home, a good way to work on required classes, and a chance to play for a solid junior
college team.
It has been a year of honors for Sartin and the Bears. Chrisman came up just one win short of the school’s first District title and playoff berth and Sartin earned All-State, All-Area, All-District, and All-Conference honors.
Related, from the Examiner:
Chrisman Athletes are Like Family
Chrisman Sends Class of Four on to College