Webb City High School held a college signing ceremony for eight seniors on Monday afternoon inside the Cardinal Dome.
Two members of Webb City’s state championship gridiron squad signed to play football at the next level—Dupree Jackson and Christian Kinney.
Baseball players Cooper Crouch, Jeremiah Leaming and Gavin Stowell made their college decisions official, while soccer player Delaney Duke and track and field and cross country standouts Dustin Brockmiller and Alanna Bundy also signed.
DUPREE JACKSON
A running back who rushed for 1,028 yards and 19 touchdowns during his senior season, Jackson inked with William Penn University in Iowa.
“It means a lot to me to meet this milestone that I’ve worked for all of high school,” Jackson said. “I couldn’t have asked for better people to be around. My friends, family and the coaching staff all helped me to develop in some way.”
Jackson, who plans on majoring in business administration, said William Penn seemed like a great fit.
“At the visit, everyone was very genuine and it seemed like a place I’d like to be at,” he said.
CHRISTIAN KINNEY
A 6-foot-2, 250-pound offensive lineman, Kinney signed with Harding University in Arkansas.
“This means I get to play the sport I love for four or five more years,” Kinney said. “I wanted to join a winning program and somewhere that I felt the coaches really cared about me. I found that place with Harding. And I couldn’t imagine going to college and not playing football.”
Kinney, an all-state performer who plans to major in business management, thanked his coaches.
“I wouldn’t have had this opportunity or any others if it wasn’t for my time at Webb City,” he said. “It made me the player I am today.”
COOPER CROUCH
A hard-throwing right-handed pitcher, Crouch signed with Crowder College.
“It feels great,” Crouch said of signing with the Roughriders. “It has been my dream since my brother (Theran) played there. It’s not far from home and they have a great program with great coaches. It makes it even better knowing there are people that didn’t think this would happen.”
Also an all-state linebacker for Webb City’s football team, Crouch noted he plans to major in kinesiology when he lands at a school following his time at Crowder.
“It’s a dream come true, but I want to go further with baseball,” Crouch said, noting playing at Webb City and with the Marucci Midwest programs helped him get to this point.
JEREMIAH LEAMING
An outfielder and right-handed pitcher, Leaming put pen to paper to play at Evangel.
“Getting to go to Evangel to learn and play baseball is an awesome opportunity,” Leaming said. “It means a lot. Evangel’s coaches and professors were so welcoming. It’s a faith-based school, which is important to me. Getting the chance to play at the next level is a blessing.”
Leaming, who plans to major in either kinesiology and pre-physical therapy, thanked his past and present coaches.
“I also want to give thanks to God,” Leaming said. “I felt he led me to sign with Evangel. And I have to thank my family who sacrificed a lot to let me play the game I love.”
GAVIN STOWELL
A left-handed pitcher and outfielder, Stowell inked with Highland Community College in Kansas.
“This is an opportunity to do what I love at the next level,” Stowell said. “I think Coach (Landon) Hay really wants to build something special at Highland, and I trust him to do so. Playing college baseball has been a dream of mine since the fifth grade, so achieving that goal feels pretty good.”
Stowell, a defensive back on Webb City’s football team, plans to major in exercise science.
“I’m just thankful for everyone who has helped me get here,” Stowell said. “Playing at Webb City really helped me understand the value of hard work.”
DELANEY DUKE
An all-conference goalkeeper, Duke signed to join the women’s soccer team at Park University.
“Park University is a soccer school,” Duke said. “I’m excited to become a part of a program that continually strives to succeed. Park is in a small town next to a big city, so it’s the best of both worlds. I have always loved soccer. To be able to continue to play as I pursue a degree means everything to me.”
Duke, who plans to major in political science, thanked her family, coaches and teammates for helping her get to this point.
“I only started playing goalkeeper the summer before my freshman year,” she said. “The time I’ve spent with coaches and teammates has made me so much better. Without it, playing in college wouldn’t even be a possibility.”
DUSTIN BROCKMILLER
Brockmiller signed to join the track and cross country programs at Pittsburg State.
Among his accomplishments as a distance runner, Brockmiller finished 17th at last fall’s state cross country meet, earning all-state recognition.
“This means the world to me because I used to be horrible at running,” he said, noting a nearly 10-minute improvement in the 5K. “I just kept working and got better. All of the high school coaches have helped. I’ve truly been blessed. Nobody expected me to get to this point. It’s kind of special because it really proves you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.”
Brockmiller, who said he plans on majoring in military science or criminal justice, said Pittsburg State was an obvious choice.
“My mom and grandpa graduated from Pitt State, so getting to be the third generation is exciting,” he said. “To get to be a part of this program is going to be exciting.”
ALANNA BUNDY
A distance runner, Bundy will join the always-solid cross country and track and field programs at Missouri Southern.
“This means I get to develop athletically and academically with a great program,” Bundy said. “To be able to perform at this level is a great opportunity. The team at MSSU seems very welcoming and Coach (Jamie) Burnham has been so nice. MSSU feels like the right fit.”
Bundy, who finished 40th at last fall’s Class 4 state cross country meet, said she’s undecided on a major and thanked her coaches.
“Running in high school significantly improved my athletic ability,” she said. “Coach (Dustin) Miller and (Shanda) Stepp helped me develop a strong mindset and helped me learn how to be consistent.”
