Senior Athletes Committed to Colleges

By Claire Wieland

Sports have always played a big role in our society. From watching Little League games in the summer heat to gathering around the TV to cheer on your favorite team, they bring people together for a common goal. Unfortunately, many seniors have to say goodbye to their competitive sports career at the end of the school year, but a few are lucky enough to continue into their collegiate careers. I got the chance to interview a few fellow students going off to college to play sports.

Justin Janssen is committed to Illinois Central College (ICC) for baseball on a scholarship. He plans to go to ICC for two years and then transfer to a four year university while studying a sports-related major. While a high school student at Princeville, he has excelled in basketball, baseball, and football.

And with Princeville’s phenomenal football program, it’s no surprise that a few players foster a love for the game and want to continue on in college. Both Jack Arnett and Landon Rice are playing football for their prospective colleges. Rice is planning on attending Knox College for Computer Science, while Arnett will be attending Eureka College to study nursing.

“Sports have been something I’ve been a part of my life since I was born. Ever since I could walk I had been watching and playing them with my older brother […] My best friends for the rest of my life are going to be the friends that I grew up with and played sports with. Playing sports together has brought us closer,” said Janssen.

Rice and Arnett agreed that the senior athletes have built a strong bond through sports. Congratulations to these student-athletes continuing both their sport and academic careers after graduation!