Fiona Flynn and Megan Venturella are two of the nine senior athletes who sat in the gym on Monday morning, April 18, in front of their friends and families while making the biggest decision of their life as a student-athlete: signing on to the next level. Along with Flynn and Venturella, seniors Warren Gann, Ro Razavi, Deion Cunningham, Tyler Timmerman, Patrick O’Day, Geoffrey Hudson, and Collin Fay committed themselves to continue their sport at a college level. 

“I am so grateful that I’m able to run at a college I love with people I love,” Venturella said. Venturella and Fay are attending Rockhurst University next year and will be running for their cross country and track teams. Their former teammate and Liberty alum Molly Morris is currently running on teams at Rockhurst where Venturella looks forward to reuniting with next season. “I truly enjoy being with my teammates everyday, all doing something we love.”

Flynn also signed to a university to run for their cross country and track teams. Flynn plans on attending Indiana University East (IUE) next year. She didn’t plan on running collegiately when she started on the cross country team in eighth grade, but by her junior year of high school she knew it was something she wanted to pursue past high school. 

“I’ve discovered just how many opportunities become available and doors that I can open by participating in college sports,” Flynn said about her commitment to IUE. From relaxing pasta dinners to stressful meet days, Flynn and Venturella appreciate those who are always by their side, encouraging them to become a better runner and a better person. 

“I have found all of my closest friends through my cross country and track seasons, and I can’t wait to make more along the way,” Flynn said about her teammates.

The other spring sport athletes who signed are Timmerman, Gann, and Razavi. Timmerman committed to Saint Charles Community College for baseball. He plans to pitch for the Cougars throughout his baseball career there. Gann also signed to throw, but he’s not throwing a baseball. Gann signed to Missouri Baptist University to throw for their track and field team. 

Razavi, the only senior on the boy’s golf team this year, signed to Chaminade University of Honolulu. Razavi has been golfing for years and has put in a lot of hard work over time. Many early mornings on the course have helped him earn his spot on an out-of-state golf team.

O’Day, Cunningham, and Hudson make up the other three athletes who committed on signing day. These athletes participated in winter and fall sports, but waited to make sure they made the right decision before committing. O’Day signed on to be a goalie at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Ill. O’Day has led the varsity soccer team at Liberty to many wins throughout his years on the roster, and even led them to a District title this past season.

Cunningham committed for swim and Hudson committed to wrestling. Cunningham committed to Hartwick College in New York, which is a liberal arts college. He plans on majoring in graphic design while he is there. Hudson decided to stay in state and committed to Westminster, which is based out of Fulton to wrestle while studying exercise science. 

These athletes who signed look forward to competing on the next level against new athletes in their upcoming season.