Joplin honored four student-athlete who signed national letters of intent to continue their careers athletically and academically at the college legvel with Early Signing Day ceremonies on Wednesday inside Kaminsky Gymnasium.
HOBBS CAMPBELL, KANSAS CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK
Hobbs Campbell will be continuing his long-distance running career with the University of Kansas as a member of the cross country and track and field programs. While weighing out his options, Campbell took official visits to Missouri, Tulsa, Oklahoma State and was also recruited by Iowa State, Illinois, Purdue, Nebraska and Bradley. Campbell already has a really close friend who runs for KU and after his official visit with the Jayhawks, he was certain Lawrence, Kansas, was where he wanted to be.
“KU is a school that I have always known was great,” Campbell said. “Their track program has an amazing history, including three different athletes who held the mile world record at some point (Jim Ryun, Wes Santee and Glenn Cunningham). They also have amazing coaches who have coached (and still coach) many olympic athletes. It is so cool to be part of such a historically great program with unbelievable athletic facilities.”
BYLER REITHER, MISSOURI SOUTHERN STATE BASEBALL
Byler Reither is continuing his baseball career as a pitcher for Missouri Southern. Reither, who is deciding between majoring in kinesiology and physical therapy, told SoMo Sports that playing baseball at the collegiate level was a lifelong dream of his. On top of being able to play the sport he has loved since his earliest memories, he gets to do it close to home so his support staff can watch him in action.
“MSSU has an amazing baseball program with amazing coaches and facilities,” Reither said. “As soon as I started talking to them, I felt like I was already a part of something, and that’s huge. I’ve only heard good things from them and I felt like I fit in well with them.”
JILL MCDANIEL, HIGHLAND CC SOFTBALL
Jill McDanield is continuing her softball career as a pitcher and outfielder at Highland Community College. McDaniel grew attached to Highland CC the moment she saw what they had to offer. The campus and program made her feel at home.
“What really attracted me to Highland was the atmosphere there, especially the small-town feeling,” McDaniel said. “Also, the softball program is really competitive … Not only do I get to continue my softball career, I get to do it with a really great softball program.”
LAYTON COPHER, HIGHLAND CC BASEBALL
Layton Copher is continuing his baseball career as an outfielder at Highland Community College. Copher, a business major, is excited for the opportunity to play baseball at the collegiate level, and it means a lot that he will be sharing his experiences in college with fellow Eagle and friend Jill McDaniel.
“I really enjoyed the camp I went to,” Copher added about what attracted him to Highland. The guys were very friendly and the coaching staff is set on having me go to the next level. … It is breathtaking and has always been a dream of mine to play baseball in college.”
