For the past four years, many current seniors have participated in sports at Parkway North. They have excelled in various activities from swimming to basketball to track. While not all seniors are planning on continuing to play sports in college, some will play for their school and some will continue to play for fun.

Senior Chanel Davis, who will be attending Briar Cliff University’ in Sioux City, Iowa, is one student who will continue to play sports for her school. She will be playing basketball at the collegiate level.

“I played Power Forward for North. I enjoy playing because of the competitive nature. It also is a confidence booster for me. It just helps me become a better person on and off the court for myself and team,” said Davis.

Keashon Petty, who will be attending Culver Stockton, will also be playing basketball for his school at the collegiate level. 

“It will most definitely be challenging, but I’ll get used to it eventually,” said Petty.

Playing sports at the collegiate level is different than playing at the high school level, and athletes may need to adjust to the new requirements and atmosphere. College practices are more intense and require more time, traveling to games takes longer as many are out-of-state, and a student athlete has to do all of this while maintaining good grades in college classes that are more challenging than high school classes.

According to the NCSA (Next College Student Athlete), “being a college athlete is like having two full-time jobs.”

“I think at first it will be challenging compared to high school sports, but I’ll get used to it, especially with the support of my coaches. I think the transition will be better. I really look forward to playing at the next level. I’m ready to turn some heads,” said Davis.

These student athletes, along with others from North are prepared to take on this challenge since they have been physically and mentally training for this opportunity for the past several years.

Chanel Davis averaged 13.4 points and 12.5 rebounds on 51.8% shooting, and Keashon Petty averaged 16.2 points and 80 rebounds with a field goal percentage of 57.2%.

“I play point guard, and I guess [I am most excited about] being able to show my abilities and showcasing what I can do,” said Petty.

While Petty and Davis, along with other student athletes from North, will be representing their schools on the court or the field, other students will continue to play on a recreation level in college and long afterward for the love of the sport.