Marty Allison
Dickson Sports Media
*This story has been updated since originally published.
In the WHERE ARE THEY NOW series, the goal was to list every player and coach that fit into a category. Several coaches and athletic departments at each school were contacted to get all the names possible. Unfortunately, some coaches and players were omitted from the series. If you recognize that someone has been left out of the series, please contact Dickson Sports Media on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and names will be added as needed.
This week, the final week of the series Where Are They Now, could easily be changed to Where Are They Going, with the focus being on the class of 2020 and where they are taking their talents as they move on to the collegiate level.
For several months, and through various means, these athletes have been recognized for signing with colleges, but I thought a wrap up was a fitting way to send them out into the world of college sports.
When a high school athlete is being recruited to play at the next level, they are often treated like royalty. Recruiters are nothing more than salespeople. They are trying to sell a college to a recruit. High school athletes then must wade through various sales pitches and decide which college to attend. Recruits choose a college for a variety of reasons: location, relationship with the coaching staff, available academic programs, etc. The list of reasons is extensive. I recently spoke with a few class of 2020 recruits to inquire as to why they signed on the dotted line.
Ty Beasley (Milligan College, Golf)
“The college I chose has many great features, but my favorite would have to be the partnership with golf AMPLIFIED. It is by far one of the coolest and most helpful golf buildings in the world.”
Elizabeth Kilpatrick (Christian Brothers University, Golf)
“My favorite thing about Christian Brothers is that it is a small school in the middle of Memphis.”
Gavin Meadows (Cumberland University, Football)
“Cumberland University is in my hometown of Lebanon, Tennessee. I love the atmosphere and people of that city and my family. It’s a beautiful place.”
Lennon Spicer (Morehead State University, Softball)
“My favorite thing about Morehead State is the feeling of home. The campus is so homey and small. The softball program is very close and it reminds me of family.”
Tyler Neely (Bethel University, Basketball)
“My favorite thing about Bethel is how close-knit the campus is. I honestly like the size of the campus because it becomes a community.”
Nearly 40 local graduates from Creek Wood and Dickson County’s class of 2020 have signed to play at the next level, but preparation doesn’t begin once they step on campus. It’s already underway. Let’s take a quick look at what some of these athletes are doing now.
Ty Beasley (Milligan College, Golf)
“This year I have been able to play a lot more than normal because of the COVID-19 outbreak. I’m not playing in as many tournaments. I’m just trying to practice a lot more than I have in past years.”
Elizabeth Kilpatrick (Christian Brothers University, Golf)
“I have played in some tournaments and I will play in more. I continue to work on my strengths and weaknesses on the course.”
Gavin Meadows (Cumberland University, Football)
“I have been studying playbooks and the coaching staff has assigned weekly workout routines, Monday through Friday. I’m beyond excited to be a Phoenix and to play ball at the next level!”
Lennon Spicer (Morehead State University, Softball)
“Coach Jones has given us workouts for everything. I’ve been focusing on pitching more than anything. Lots of running and working out!”
Tyler Neely (Bethel University, Basketball)
“I have been training and working out everyday. I’m working on speed changes and becoming as explosive as possible before my freshman year.”
Here’s to the Class of 2020. We’ll be watching!
Sam Batey (Southwest Tennessee, Baseball), Stone Collins (Wilmington College, Football), Jaden Davis (Bethel University, Basketball), Trevonn Rybka (University of Kentucky, Football), Ashlan Sensing (Trevecca Nazarene University, Softball), Chase Hoover (Jackson State, Baseball), Olivia Rinehart (Bethel University, Basketball), Kylea Heath (Christian Brothers University, Soccer), Elizabeth Kilpatrick (Christian Brothers University, Golf), Lennon Spicer (Morehead State University, Softball), Maddie Perez (Cumberland University, Volleyball), Ty Beasley (Milligan College, Golf), Mitch Duke (Southwest Tennessee, Baseball), McKenna Thompson (Union University, Cheerleading), Gavin Meadows (Cumberland University, Football), MaKayla Choate (Martin Methodist University, Volleyball), K.K. Curtis (Sewanee University, Basketball), Andre Darden (Bethel University, Football), Zach Bone (Morehead State University, Football), Danny Stansberry (Bethel University, Football), Meghan Hodi (Freed Hardeman, Soccer), Will Secker (Bethel University, Football), Sierra Morgan (Freed Hardeman, Basketball), Tyler Neely (Bethel University, Basketball), Tyler Guthrie (University of Tennessee, Marching Band), Cade Purvine (Lee University, Basketball), Jett Carter (Milligan College, Soccer), Drake Tidwell (Morehead State University, Bowling), Allie Potter (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Track), D.J. Stacy (Columbia State, Basketball), Caty Roberts (Trevecca Nazarene University, Basketball), Nick Peters (Bethel University, Soccer), Zach Waller (Tusculum University, Bowling), Marco Salas (Bethel University, Soccer), Dusty Malone (Morehead State University, Bowling), Jase Jackson (Austin Peay State University, Softball), Bethany Lott (UT Martin, Cheerleading), Anna Lee Sesler (Bethel University, Bowling).
For several months, and through various means, these athletes have been recognized for signing with colleges, but I thought a wrap up was a fitting way to send them out into the world of college sports.
When a high school athlete is being recruited to play at the next level, they are often treated like royalty. Recruiters are nothing more than salespeople. They are trying to sell a college to a recruit. High school athletes then must wade through various sales pitches and decide which college to attend. Recruits choose a college for a variety of reasons: location, relationship with the coaching staff, available academic programs, etc. The list of reasons is extensive. I recently spoke with a few class of 2020 recruits to inquire as to why they signed on the dotted line.
Ty Beasley (Milligan College, Golf)
“The college I chose has many great features, but my favorite would have to be the partnership with golf AMPLIFIED. It is by far one of the coolest and most helpful golf buildings in the world.”
Elizabeth Kilpatrick (Christian Brothers University, Golf)
“My favorite thing about Christian Brothers is that it is a small school in the middle of Memphis.”
Gavin Meadows (Cumberland University, Football)
“Cumberland University is in my hometown of Lebanon, Tennessee. I love the atmosphere and people of that city and my family. It’s a beautiful place.”
Lennon Spicer (Morehead State University, Softball)
“My favorite thing about Morehead State is the feeling of home. The campus is so homey and small. The softball program is very close and it reminds me of family.”
Tyler Neely (Bethel University, Basketball)
“My favorite thing about Bethel is how close-knit the campus is. I honestly like the size of the campus because it becomes a community.”
Nearly 40 local graduates from Creek Wood and Dickson County’s class of 2020 have signed to play at the next level, but preparation doesn’t begin once they step on campus. It’s already underway. Let’s take a quick look at what some of these athletes are doing now.
Ty Beasley (Milligan College, Golf)
“This year I have been able to play a lot more than normal because of the COVID-19 outbreak. I’m not playing in as many tournaments. I’m just trying to practice a lot more than I have in past years.”
Elizabeth Kilpatrick (Christian Brothers University, Golf)
“I have played in some tournaments and I will play in more. I continue to work on my strengths and weaknesses on the course.”
Gavin Meadows (Cumberland University, Football)
“I have been studying playbooks and the coaching staff has assigned weekly workout routines, Monday through Friday. I’m beyond excited to be a Phoenix and to play ball at the next level!”
Lennon Spicer (Morehead State University, Softball)
“Coach Jones has given us workouts for everything. I’ve been focusing on pitching more than anything. Lots of running and working out!”
Tyler Neely (Bethel University, Basketball)
“I have been training and working out everyday. I’m working on speed changes and becoming as explosive as possible before my freshman year.”
Here’s to the Class of 2020. We’ll be watching!
Sam Batey (Southwest Tennessee, Baseball), Stone Collins (Wilmington College, Football), Jaden Davis (Bethel University, Basketball), Trevonn Rybka (University of Kentucky, Football), Ashlan Sensing (Trevecca Nazarene University, Softball), Chase Hoover (Jackson State, Baseball), Olivia Rinehart (Bethel University, Basketball), Kylea Heath (Christian Brothers University, Soccer), Elizabeth Kilpatrick (Christian Brothers University, Golf), Lennon Spicer (Morehead State University, Softball), Maddie Perez (Cumberland University, Volleyball), Ty Beasley (Milligan College, Golf), Mitch Duke (Southwest Tennessee, Baseball), McKenna Thompson (Union University, Cheerleading), Gavin Meadows (Cumberland University, Football), MaKayla Choate (Martin Methodist University, Volleyball), K.K. Curtis (Sewanee University, Basketball), Andre Darden (Bethel University, Football), Zach Bone (Morehead State University, Football), Danny Stansberry (Bethel University, Football), Meghan Hodi (Freed Hardeman, Soccer), Will Secker (Bethel University, Football), Sierra Morgan (Freed Hardeman, Basketball), Tyler Neely (Bethel University, Basketball), Tyler Guthrie (University of Tennessee, Marching Band), Cade Purvine (Lee University, Basketball), Jett Carter (Milligan College, Soccer), Drake Tidwell (Morehead State University, Bowling), Allie Potter (University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Track), D.J. Stacy (Columbia State, Basketball), Caty Roberts (Trevecca Nazarene University, Basketball), Nick Peters (Bethel University, Soccer), Zach Waller (Tusculum University, Bowling), Marco Salas (Bethel University, Soccer), Dusty Malone (Morehead State University, Bowling), Jase Jackson (Austin Peay State University, Softball), Bethany Lott (UT Martin, Cheerleading), Anna Lee Sesler (Bethel University, Bowling).
