The 2017-18 school year is coming to a close, and three MacArthur athletes signed letters of intent during their final week as Highlanders to cap off successful prep careers.
Chao, Webb sign track letters
Alexis Chao has been one of the top pole vaulters in the state in recent years, even finishing second in the event at this year’s state meet in Yukon. That success landed her a scholarship offer from Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), an opportunity she is ecstatic about.
“I just really wanted to go to SWOSU,” Chao said. “I didn’t really pay attention to any offers, but I did get other offers. I wanted to go to SWOSU because it’s not a big school — it’s not too big and it’s not too small. They said they can go around my school schedule for my workouts, so that sounds great. People said it’s a good school for me to go to, and it’s a safe school.”
Chao doesn’t have to report to Weatherford early for training, but she plans to continue perfecting her craft so she’ll be ready come the beginning of practices later this fall.
“During the fall, we’re going to run twice a week and lift twice a week, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to do my own workouts, too, to get more in shape for track season,” Chao said. “I’m still going to practice during the summer so I don’t lose my technique.”
Chao, who will major in physical therapy, will be only the second pole vaulter on the Bulldogs roster, joining redshirt freshman Catherine Kippenberger.
Chao will not be the only Lawton native, though, for redshirt freshman Monica Gonzalez and sophomores Alexis and Aliah Jefferson hail from Lawton High, and freshmen Mariah Leonard and Brianna Simmons attended Eisenhower. Eliza Cummins from Elgin also competes on the team as a distance runner.
Derrick Webb also secured his future in the sport, signing with Dodge City Community College in Kansas.
Webb, who took third in the 300-meter hurdles at the state meet on May 12, plans to run the 400-meter hurdles, as well as the 110-meter hurdles and the 4x100 relay.
“I visited other universities, Division II and Division III, and Dodge City was the last choice,” Webb said. “I went to go see it, got to know the track team, and they’re like a family — they’re really close. And you get one-on-one time with the professors, and the dorms are nice.”
Webb has already started his training with solo workouts sent to him by Conquistadors coach Cole Ballard. School starts on Aug. 12, but practices aren’t set to begin until September.
Depending on how he performs in Dodge City, Webb wants to transfer to a Division I or Division II school after two years. In the meantime, he will pursue a career in athletic training.
Hoskins heading to OKC metro
Brad Hoskins is taking his baseball talents to Moore.
The Mac senior signed with Randall University at First Baptist Lawton on Wednesday afternoon, guaranteeing a continuation of his baseball career for at least another four years.
Hoskins helped the Highlanders to a combined record of 53-21 the past two seasons, which included consecutive state tournament appearances. He finished with a .320 batting average this season.
Hoskins said he had other offers from schools in the Dallas area, but Randall's proximity to Lawton played a major role in his decision to pick the Saints.
“I went to Randall a few months ago and just fell in love with the place,” Hoskins said. “It’s small, so I knew where all the classes were, and I like all the coaches. The coaches were really nice to me, and I just went out there and showed them what I got. They loved it, so that’s pretty much when I knew it’d be my place. I wanted to stay close to home and my family so they could come up and watch me.”
Hoskins was also a member of the Mac football team, but he said he knew his true calling was baseball.
“I loved football, but it was pretty much just weight training so I could get bigger and better for baseball,” Hoskins said. “When I was little, I knew I was a baseball player all the way. I was a little small to play football.”
Despite Randall, known as Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College until July 2016, having a rich history on the diamond with five National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national titles since 1999 — the latest coming in 2011 — and four runner-up finishes since 2004, it has undergone a rebuilding process in recent years. The Saints went 11-39 this season.
However, Hoskins said he hopes to help bring Randall back to prominence.
“They’re a little down right now — they’re really young,” Hoskins said. “It’ll get better as the years go on, and I’m hoping I can make an impact on the recruiting game by coming to Lawton and finding kids who can make a difference up there.”
Hoskins will major in Christian ministry and plans to become a student minister upon graduating.