Fair Grove has multiple athletes continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Football players Evan Fullerton (Missouri Southern State University), Daniel Terry (William Penn University), Austin Fodge (Benedictine College), Dalton Cloyd (Evangel University), and Brayden Lumley (Southwestern College), have signed National Letters of Intent. Softball player Cailey Barnes (Evangel University), soccer player Autumn Wilson (Neosho County Community College), and volleyball player Victoria Fishback (Evangel University) have also signed their Letter of Intent to play at the collegiate level.
Evan Fullerton started playing football his junior year of high school but he had a successful senior campaign at wide receiver and was a big red zone target bringing in 20 receptions for 396 yards and eight touchdowns that drew interest from multiple universities, but there was one in particular that he liked. Fullerton explained his decision to attend Missouri Southern, “I liked the school, their facilities were nice. I believe I can succeed academically there.”
Daniel Terry has been playing football for Fair Grove since junior high and has been a two year starter and three year letter winner. His senior year he was the leader of the offensive line and one of four captains for the Eagles along with fellow seniors Fodge and Cloyd. He also received 1st team all conference honors at offensive line. Terry will be traveling North to Oskaloosa, Iowa to play for the Statesmen of William Penn. Terry addressed the changes he will be going through, “On the field, it will be a whole new level of strength, speed, and expectations.”
Austin Fodge had his best year yet at running back for the Eagles, carrying the ball 106 times for 971 yards and 14 touchdowns and receiving 1st team all conference honors. He was second on the team in yards per carry with an average of 9.2. Fodge said he’s excited about moving onto Benedictine but said he will miss the Fair Grove coaches and players he’s played with for the last four years.
Dalton Cloyd chose to become a Crusader and play for Evangel University. “It was my best financial option and I wanted to stay close to home,” stated Cloyd. Cloyd received 1st team all conference honors for his senior campaign that saw him find the endzone a total of 24 times. Cloyd racked up 1,061 rushing yards on 93 carries and had 42 catches for 533 yards.
Brayden Lumley has been a three year starting quarterback for the Eagles. He enjoyed his best season in 2016, breaking the school single game, single season, and career passing yards records. He finished the year with 1,346 passing yards and 16 touchdowns and received 1st team all conference honors his senior season. He finished his career at Fair Grove with 3,109 total passing yards. He’ll be going on to Winfield, Kansas to play for the Moundbuilders of Southwestern College.
Cailey Barnes has been one of the leaders on the Fair Grove softball team for several years and will go on to play for the Lady Crusaders at Evangel University. Barnes will leave behind quite the legacy as she is the career leader in batting average (.500) and RBI’s (66), and still has another season to play. Barnes also set several single season records during her junior season in batting average (.551), on base percentage (.628), slugging percentage (1.03), RBI’s (38), and Runs (39).
Autumn Wilson has only played soccer for three years, but has stepped in and quickly contributed to the varsity soccer team at the goalkeeper position. Her sophomore year she had nine shutouts and her junior year she achieved 12 shutouts. She’ll be joining Fair Grove Alumnist, Emilie Armstrong, at Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kansas.
Victoria Fishback has been a three year letter winner for the Eagles and was an all conference player. Starting at outside and setter she received 1st team all conference honors her senior year. Her last year she led the team in aces and assists with 62 and 343, respectively, she was also second on the team in kills with 175. She’ll be staying close to home as she’ll attend Evangel University along with former teammate and Fair Grove Alumnist Jordan Stacey.
Athletic Director Christian Overstreet commented, “We’re proud of them. It’s nice to see kids go through our system and see how hard they work and see them go through college continuing to play.”