Three Smith-Cotton Athletes Sign to Play College Ball

Smith-Cotton High School senior Darby Christian has accepted an athletic scholarship to play softball at Central Methodist University in Fayette.

Christian, the daughter of Susan and Darrin Christian, of Sedalia, was a four-year letter winner and starter for the Lady Tigers softball team. She was named to the All-District and All-West Central Conference teams in 2014 and 2017.

S-C Softball Head Coach Hilliary Owens said: “I have watched Darby grow in the Smith-Cotton softball program over the past four years. I am excited for her to pursue this avenue to continue her softball career."

SIGNING: Smith-Cotton senior Darby Christian on Wednesday, Nov. 15, signed to play softball at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Mo. Seated with her are her parents, Darrin and Susan Christian; back row, from left, S-C Softball Head Coach Hilliary Owens, Central Methodist Softball Assistant Coach Gene Reardon, and S-C Principal Wade Norton.

SIGNING2: Darby Christian signs her documents to compete in softball at Central Methodist University.

Smith-Cotton High School senior Monique Grant has accepted a full athletic scholarship to compete in track and field at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo.
Grant, the daughter of Laquesha Jamerson, of Sedalia, has lettered all three years on varsity for the Lady Tigers.

She holds or shares seven Smith-Cotton track and field records and is a seven-time All-State and 12-time All-West Central Conference honoree. She was a member of the Lady Tigers 4x100 meter relay team that won the state title in 2016.

S-C Track and Field Head Coach Brad Hagedorn said: “Monique has been one of the most talented and successful athletes to come through the SC track program. She will be a success as a collegian."

SIGNING: Smith-Cotton senior Monique Grant on Wednesday, Nov. 15, signed to participate in track and field at Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. Seated with her are her mother, Laquesha Jamerson, and brother, La’Korion Grant; back row, from left, S-C social worker Renae Belt, S-C Track and Field Head Coach Brad Hagedorn, S-C Track and Field Assistant Coaches Jad Mulgrew and Matt Clark, and S-C Principal Wade Norton.

Smith-Cotton High School senior McKenna Woolery has accepted an athletic scholarship to play softball at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
Woolery, the daughter of Kendra and Jason Woolery, of Sedalia, was a four-year letter winner in softball.

She was named to the All-District second team in 2016 and 2017, was an All-West Central Conference Honorable Mention pick in 2016 and a first team member in 2017. She was the Lady Tigers’ Best Overall Hitter Award recipient in 2017 and finished her high school career with seven home runs.

S-C Softball Head Coach Hilliary Owens said: “McKenna has stepped up in the past two years as a true leader for our team. She moved from playing center field to first base and handled the transition well. She is a great student athlete who performs well on the field and in the classroom."

SIGNING: Smith-Cotton senior McKenna Woolery on Wednesday, Nov. 15, signed to play softball at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Seated with her are her parents, Kendra and Jason Woolery; back row, from left, S-C Softball Head Coach Hilliary Owens, sisters Ally and Kayley Woolery; and S-C Principal Wade Norton.

SIGNING2: McKenna Woolery signs her documents to compete in softball at Iowa Wesleyan University.