With fall sports over and winter winding down, many athletes have already made plans for their future.

Seniors Emily Schellhase, Alexis Williams, and Calynn Gicante have all committed and plan to continue their athletic career.

Schellhase will attend Dominican University in Illinois, where she plans to play volleyball. Although not on an athletic scholarship, she did receive scholarships for her academics.

Schellhase says even though she is nervous, she can’t wait to continue playing in college. 

“I just fell in love (with the school) ,” says Schellhase. “ I knew it was it because my mom asked me if I wanted to go on any more (college) visits and I didn’t. I really think I made the right choice.”

Williams plans on attending University of South Florida, a Division 1 school. She will be attending on a three-year athletic scholarship for volleyball. Knowing she is going to have to take her skills to the next level, Williams is still excited for her future.

“It is going to be a lot harder because I will have at least two practices a day. Traveling and playing the top teams in the country, balancing academics and living on my own, is going to be hard, ” said Williams. “But it’s going to be worth it; I’m ready to go and take on the next level.”

Gicante will be attending Illinois College, where she plans to continue her softball career. Illinois college is Division 3, and offered Gicante four academic scholarships. Gicante was the starting pitcher for the Tigers this year. She averaged 4.8 strikeouts a game and had a batting average of .371. 

“I’m really excited,” said Gicante. “I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Even though they have not signed, seniors Matt Rouse, Jake Cracchiolo and Dylan Mollett have committed to schools. 

Mollett was accepted into Missouri S&T, a Division 2 school. He plans to pitch for their baseball team and was offered an academic scholarship. Mollett committed early last November and is  excited to face the new opportunities that lay ahead.

“I’m nervous but excited,” said Mollett. “It’s a new beginning.”

Cracchiolo and Rouse plan to attend Southwest Baptist University,  a division two school, both on an athletic scholarship. Rouse and Cracchiolo have been playing football together since seventh grade, and got to commit together.

Rouse said, “we’ve both started playing football in seventh grade, so we’ve only played football together.” Cracchiolo added, “It feels good. We’ll be rooming together so it’s nice to know somebody. We’re not going into this alone.”