Liberty Christian celebrated its fall college signing day by honoring six athletes who have committed to play at the college level.
Kelsie Brittan will be in the equestrian program at Baylor University next fall.
She said, “I am so excited to ride for the Baylor Equestrian team. I have worked my whole life, hoping this day would come.”
In the future, she would like to go to medical school and later become a dermatologist.
“In this field, I can work in my passion for science and help people, while still finding time to ride and compete.”
Kelsie is a junior ambassador for the Step-by-Step Foundation that helps children in Haiti by giving them school supplies and other essentials to help them in their lives. At Liberty, Kelsie is vice president of Spanish Club, a member of National Honor Society, and was a part of the Leadership Academy.
“Liberty has been so understanding and always helped me keep my grades up,” she said. “I am also so thankful for my teachers for helping me. Liberty has always wanted the best for my riding career and helped me gain all the opportunities I could. I am honored to represent Liberty Christian and its incredible academics in college.”
Kelsie said that riding is her life. She misses almost every weekend of the school year by riding.
“The sport is very challenging since we work with animals that have a mind of their own, which makes them very unpredictable,” she said.
“My love for animals is what drew me to this sport. I enjoy training horses, and every one of them are talented in their own way. When you click with one, you can be unstoppable. My bond with my horse has brought me to where I am now.”
Kelsie wanted to thank her family who has supported her in her riding career.
“My mom always wanted the best for me,” Kelsie said. “She pushed me to be my best and to never doubt myself.”
She also thanked her trainers and her horses “who have brought me this far.”
Tyler Duck will play baseball for Texas Tech University.
“I am living my dream of playing Division 1 baseball,” he said.
Tyler has played the game of baseball since he was four years old.
“Throughout all my years of playing baseball, I have enjoyed studying and learning the game I love.”
Tyler would like to major in business.
He said Liberty has showed him how to be a hard worker.
“Liberty taught me how to compete and how to be a winner,” he said.
Ali Eager will play sand volleyball for Florida State University.
Ali was introduced to indoor volleyball at age 11.
“By age 14, I was introduced to sand volleyball, which I absolutely loved,” she said. “I made up my mind that I would focus on this sport and be the best I could be.”
Ali would like to become a physician’s assistant and continue to play sand volleyball as a pro.
In addition to being on Liberty’s varsity team, select teams, and being named MVP and All-District, Ali made the USA Junior Olympic National Team. She was one of 10 girls chosen out of the United States for this team. She trained in California, and out of that group, she was one of just four girls chosen to represent the United States in Portugal.
In her freshman year, her team won the USA National Championship in sand volleyball. Last summer, her team took second in the USA High Performance Championship.
Ali is also a member of Liberty’s National Honor Society, and she mentors Middle School students in its Impact program. She has also been on a Liberty mission trip overseas.
“Liberty has shown me the importance of putting Christ first in my life,” she said. “I have always felt loved and supported from my teachers. I have learned how important it is to be organized and stay ahead of schoolwork.
“Being in athletics has taught me to be disciplined, to work hard, and to be a team player.”
Jackson Fountain will run cross country and track and field at Louisiana State University next fall.
“I am living the dream,” he said. “In the words of one of my heroes, Billy Mills, ‘Every passion has its destiny.’”
Jackson runs 60 to 65 miles a week, and he would like to run the 10,000-meter in the Olympics.
“Running is my life,” he said. “To be a distance runner is a lifestyle.”
Jackson has won two district championships since being at Liberty, and has made All-District and All-State.
He wants to pursue a degree in marine biology, go to veterinary school, and become “a big animal vet.”
“Liberty has provided me with a foundation and a confidence to know that I can do anything for and through Him,” he said. “Also, my coaches at Liberty will always be in my heart and soul. I wouldn’t be here without the guidance of Brock Simmons and Tyler Curbo.”
He said he is also grateful for the guidance of his club coach and mentor Brad Lutz.
Grant Gardner will play baseball at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif.
“It is an incredible honor to be able to play the sport I love at the college level,” he said. “All the 5 a.m. workouts and four-hour practices have enhanced my love for baseball and opened this opportunity.”
Grant would like to major in business/entrepreneurship.
In addition to baseball, Grant is a member of Key Club and the National Honor Society.
“The college-level academics at Liberty have prepared me not just for college but for life,” he said. “The college-level baseball routine at Liberty has more than prepared me for college baseball.
“I am very excited about this opportunity!”
Haley Muller will play softball at Mississippi College.
“This honor means so much!” she said. “I have worked so hard for many years, and it is great to see that hard work pay off.
“Softball has been a huge part of my life. It is one of my biggest passions, and I couldn’t imagine my life without it.”
Haley would like to pursue a biology/pre-med major.
She is a National Merit Commended Student, AP Scholar, and National Honor Society member. She is a mentor to Middle School students through Liberty’s Impact program, and she traveled to Africa last summer on a mission trip.
Haley has been a starter since seventh grade when she lived in Florida and was honored as a team co-captain and most outstanding player. She was also selected by area coaches for the All-State Team and the All-Academic Team for Florida Class 3 schools for two years in a row.
Tim Covey, who coached Haley last year, said, “Haley shattered the record books in batting average, RBIs, home runs, doubles, on-base percentage, and pretty much every other offensive category you can think of. It truly was an amazing thing to witness one game after another.”
Another coach, Jane Knuth, said, “Haley is a natural-born leader, and God is going to use that gift of leadership in ways I can’t even imagine. Haley is truly an amazing young lady.”
Vivian Nichols handles public relations for Liberty Christian School.
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