Even though the school year has been cut short, that did not keep the Bulldog senior athletes from signing their names to keep pursuing their goals on the fields and courts. There were seven BHS sports signings across the board. With baseball, girls soccer, football and cheer all having at least one athlete sign, everyone in the school had someone to be excited for to sign. Each athlete was excited to sign or announce that they were signing.

“I’ve known for a couple of years that I wanted to play soccer, so I was very excited that I got the opportunity to play at the next level,” said senior Josie Boyle about signing with Washburn University in Topeka to play soccer. 

Boyle was the girls soccer captain for two years and a stand out leader on the team. Unfortunately she did not get to play her senior season. The girls soccer team not only had Boyle sign, but also Anna Burnett. Burnett signed with Emporia State to continue her career in soccer.

“At the beginning of my senior year, I was struggling deciding whether or not I wanted to play soccer at the collegiate level and it was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made,” Burnett said. “When I got the offer from the Emporia State coach, I was shocked and very stressed but in a good way. When I finally made the decision to play, I felt relieved as if I made the right decision, which is a great feeling.”

Burnett recently signed during the quarantine but still managed to get friends and family together for the signing party. Burnett was not the only Bulldog to sign during the quarantine. Senior Trysten Heck signed with Baker University to play football and continue his education.

“It’s an honor to have this opportunity to continue my education and athletic career at a great school,” Heck said. “It is a great feeling and it’s really humbling to be able to sign. I’m definitely excited for the future and glad to still be really close to home and close to the people I’ve grown up with.”

Heck also managed to have a signing party with his friends and family. He has had a magnificent career at Baldwin playing football.

“During the time I’ve known Trysten he has been a pleasure to coach and be around. He comes every day ready to work and get better as an individual and as a team,” football coach David Bowen said. 

Bowen also had two other players sign to play college football, Alex Berg at Baker and Josh Potter at Ottawa. Both players were standout starters on the gridiron for BHS, leading the team on both sides of the ball. Berg played as a lineman and a linebacker, while Potter was a lineman. They also competed as multi-sport athletes at Baldwin, and were regular committed Bulldogs in the off-season weights programs.

“These two both were consistent weightroom workers at our school,” BHS coach Kit Harris said. “Even on off days or holidays and every day all summer long, if I was ever present I would always see them in the room working hard. They were definitely leader athletes for our school in a variety of ways. Good, positive leaders. I think they have successful collegiate careers ahead of them for this reason.”

Also attending Ottawa University will be Allison Taylor for a cheer scholarship. Taylor has been on the cheer squad throughout high school and has shown extreme dedication to the team.

“I am excited next year to attend Ottawa university and have the opportunity to continue my cheer career,” Taylor said. “Cheer has always been a very special part of my life and I am happy that my cheer career will not be coming to an end when I graduate.”

Another senior who signed was Matthew Garber. Garber signed at Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe to continue his education and athletic career on the baseball diamond.

“I’m pretty pumped to be able to say I’m signing with MNU,” Garber said. “They had a really good team last year and should return a lot of good players.”