Its Graduation Day at Reeds Spring. For the last couple of years, on this day, I wrote about one of the folks graduating. Coincidentally, each of those times the Graduate that I wrote about went on to win the “Heart of the Wolf” award given by the Reeds Spring School Foundation.
That will not happen this year. Although there is a chance I have already written about the individual that will win that award tonight; I have decided to use this space to write about the Class of 2018 as a group. They are such a tight unit anyway, it only makes since.
I know that every year we say that “this group will go on to make an impact”. Well, I have every confidence that this special group will.
Austin Bradfield is a two time All-State Center on the football field but he is far more that that. He is a leader. Perhaps the only thing that will keep him from running our community or even our state in the future, will be his love for making films, which is what he will be studying at the University of Missouri.
Cole Nordin is a guy that probably did not get talked about nearly enough in the athletic arena this year. All he did, is do whatever was asked of him. Week One in the football season he was asked to step into a tough situation. He was the starting QB that night against the team that would end up playing for the State Championship in November. He shared time at DB, and still made a run at the school interception record. On the basketball court he ran the Wolves offense, along the way picking up the single game assist record. Those leadership abilities make him a special dude.
Logan Plumb is another on of those special guys. He is a team guy. And, someone I think about when I think of being unselfish. On the football field he switched positions in the offseason and switched right back a couple of weeks into the year. He did so without complaint, in order to do what was best for the team. Basketball Coach Barry Yocom talks about the unselfishness it takes for players to draw charges on the court. No one at Reeds Spring has ever done that more that Plumb. He is a guy that will be missed to no end.
Collin Cross has been as steady as a big guy as Wolves fans could ever ask for. A three year starter in football and a four year starter on the baseball field, he has been someone that you could always count on. And, he is same person off the field. He will always be that guy that you can count on.
Lane Carrol… Mr 1000. Lane hit his 1000th point this basketball season and did it on senior night. It has been such a joy to see him play. There is another area coach that talks fondly of Lane’s game. He talks about how much he enjoys seeing him play. That is a huge complement. Anyone that has talked to him off the court knows his is about as nice as they come.
As big as a Wolves Football guy as I am, I could not write about this group of seniors without mentioning Kelly Newton. The dude was incredible on the football field becoming the most prolific single season rusher and TD maker in Wolves football history. Now, he has added his name to the track record books as well.
One name that does not get nearly the publicity that it probably deserves is Noah Briley. His work on the mound for Coach Chris Funk has been nothing short of amazing. He is the all-time wins leader in school history. His conference accolades rival pitchers from other COC schools that are headed to or are already making impacts at D1 colleges. He also served as an announcer for the student production of football and basketball games.
Its not just the guys…. Rachel Bagg will make an impact on the world. She will be taking her Cross-Country skills to the same place that allowed me to display mine, College of the Ozarks. Bagg does the work in the classroom as well. She is the Valedictorian for the Class of 2018.
I have touched on a few names here, but there are many more: like, Conner Wiest, Asa Baker, Kyle Modlin and Mackenzie Duvall. Dakota Romesburg is going to make an impact. I could go on and on…name after name…The point is Reeds Spring High School will be saying “good bye” to a special group tonight. Young men and women that may be leaving the halls of RSHS but will be heard from for years to come.
But, no matter what they do or where they go, they will always remember… ONCE A WOLF…. ALWAYS A WOLF.
Good Luck Class of 2018, Thanks for the Memories.
Thank you Perry for all the memories, support, kind words and coverage you have given for all the years. 2018 WOLF PACK loves you and appreciates all you have done .