Former East Students Currently Play Collegiate Sports

Libby Jandl

Going into college soccer, former East girls’ soccer star and current Duke sophomore Libby Jandl did not have high expectations. She was not a high recruit, and her new coach had a plan for freshman players, which included not playing much in games. But when a starting player was injured, Jandl got her chance. She took this chance and proved everyone, including herself and her coach wrong.

“I kept a positive attitude, had high confidence even in low times and I proved everyone wrong,” Jandl said. “I stepped out and started nine games my freshman year.”

Jandl started every game during her sophomore campaign. She had the most minutes of any player on the team, and at the end of the season, her teammates awarded her the Most Valuable Defensive Player award. For Jandl, this was a dream come true.

“I dreamed about going to Duke my whole life and playing soccer there, that was always my goal,” Jandl said. “The way it’s turned out is like a fairytale for me.”

The main difference Jandl sees in high school and college sports is the intensity of play. According to Jandl, in high school, each team might have one or two key players, but in college, everyone is at that skill level. In college, the whole pace is stepped up another notch.

Andrew Pennington

At East, current University of Arkansas junior Andrew Pennington was a three-time individual state champion, a four-time USA Track and Field Junior Olympic Qualifier and a Kansas City Star first team honoree. At Arkansas, he continues his success as a three-time Southeastern Conference team champion and a NCAA Preliminary qualifier.

According to Pennington, his favorite part of college sports is how the track team has the opportunity to travel around the country.

“This is the crazy part of the season where we move meet to meet every weekend,” Pennington said, “It puts a strain on school, but you just gotta focus on track and enjoy it.”

Besides traveling, Pennington’s favorite part about college is how big schools like Arkansas can purchase team gear for all their athletes, meaning the students don’t have to spend their own money on sports equipment.

Even with these big parts of college sports, Pennington still has trouble choosing between East track and Arkansas track as his favorite team. At both places, Pennington says he has developed close bonds with his fellow players, and how it feels like he has family at both schools.

Hunter Stevenson

After winning a swimming state championship his senior year of high school, current St. Louis University freshman Hunter Stevenson decided to swim in college.  Over the summer, Stevenson met his new teammates, who helped ease his transition into the college lifestyle.

The biggest difference that Stevenson has noticed between college and high school swimming is the responsibility that each athlete must take on individually. This year Stevenson did not undertake this new responsibility, which he believes led to a lackluster freshman season.

“My freshman year, I didn’t do as well as I’d hoped to, but that’s also because with college swimming you have to take a lot more responsibility on yourself rather than relying on your coaches doing it for you,” Stevenson said. “I just personally didn’t do everything I needed to do to get better, the way I should have.”

Despite being disappointed with himself, Stevenson is planning on stepping up his game next season and running for swim team captain.

Even with his own disappointing start to a college sports career, Stevenson supports anyone else looking into participating in sports in college.

“Definitely go for it, because even if you’re not the fastest, even if you’re not looking for something super serious, you’ll be able to find a school that fits your needs.” Stevenson said. “If you’re interested in a sport I’d say go for it; you have nothing to lose.”