NATIONAL SIGNING DAY: Area kids ink letters of intent

Published by Lucas Davis

National Signing Day arrived once again on Wednesday with several area student-athletes inking their names to National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic career at the collegiate level.

Below are the Missouri high school student-athletes from the Joplin area who signed letters of intent, for which sport and what school.

Joplin High School

Aiyana Kroll, basketball, Midland University

Avarus Kuhn-Wofford, track, Missouri Southern

“I signed officially in private several months ago so I wasn’t going to participate in signing

day, but all my close friends are signing today as well. So, I decided I want to be a

part of their journey as well as have them be a part of mine.”

Dominic Leesman, football, Emporia State

Phia Vogel, track & field, William Jewell College

“It means everything to be able to continue my sport at the collegiate level because I get to do what I love for another four years.” — Vogel

Kutler Schwarting, baseball, Highland Community College

Davin Thomas, football, William Jewell College

Brock Waghorn, baseball, Missouri State University-West Plains

“The thing I love about baseball the most is the grind it takes. I've never been one where it just comes easy to me. I've had to work for it. I love all the practices and games. I also love how Baseball is about being mentally tough, what other sports have a higher failure rate than success... Baseball is a hard sport but I love every little thing about it.” — Waghorn

Brennen Washington, football, Iowa Western Community College

“I am beyond excited. This is just one more step on my journey and I;m excited to develop and learn and become a better person and a better football player.” — Washington

Alex Whitten, football, Westminster College

Gwen Zamanzadeh, golf, Crowder College

Webb City High School

Addison Brown, softball, Labette Community College

Brody Eggleston, football, Missouri Southern 

“It means a lot to be able to play a sport that I fell in love with in the 3rd grade. Not many people get this opportunity, and I am blessed, and thank God that I can.” — Eggleston 

Eric Lathan, football, Highland Community College

Brady Belcher, football, Peru State College

Joseph DeGraffenreid, football, Emporia State

Carl Junction High School

Isaac Willoughby, cross country, Crowder College

Carthage High School

Karson Murray, football, Pittsburg State

Trevor Meadows, football, Pittsburg State

McDonald County High School

Hayden Lett, baseball, University of the Ozarks

Aidrian Short, football, Bethany College

Jace Thomas, football, Bethany College

Lamar High School

Alex Wilkerson, football, Emporia State