St. Dominic is renowned for having a stellar athletics program, full of dedicated coaches and players. Some of these athletes are going above and beyond, committing to play their sport in college.

Riley Luetkenhaus and Audrey Hermann are names synonymous with St. Dominic softball. They put in tons of hard work the past four years of high school, and it is definitely paying off. Luetkenhaus committed to play softball at Lindenwood University and Hermann committed to play softball at Quincy University.

“It’s what I’ve wanted to do my whole life. I started playing softball when I was five and I’ve loved it ever since, so it’s amazing to know that I can continue with it into college and keep playing the game I love. I am most excited to play with a new group of girls and get better, while also getting to play people I’ve grown up playing with in college, like Audrey who committed to Quincy,” said Luetkenhaus.

Volleyball has made some noise this season, and it is no surprise thanks to their power-house players. Senior Lexi Burkemper has committed to play at the University of Central Missouri, and junior Allie Otten has committed to play at Illinois State.

“It means everything to play a college sport. I feel completely blessed and lucky to be playing a sport I’ve worked so hard at my whole life! Committing as a junior is everything I’d hoped it’d be. I now feel relaxed and feel like that heavy weight of picking a college is off my shoulders! I am most excited about meeting the other 2019 commits, decorating my dorm room and of course playing volleyball at college level,” said Otten.

Senior Reece Gentry will be representing St. Dominic golf at Culver-Stockton College next year. She worked her way up the ranks on the St. Dominic golf team this year, and her hard work has paid off tremendously.

“To get the opportunity to play golf in college means so much to me, because it allows me to compete in a sport I love for another four years. I’m most excited to see how I can better my game and to have an instant golf family in college to help make the adjustment easier,” said Gentry.

St. Dominic fans are already getting geared up for a party in the park this fall. The soccer guys are a dedicated group, and it is no surprise that senior Eric Bauche has committed to play division one for SIUe.

“I’ve played soccer since I was about fours year old [and] it’s been a dream of mine since I was seven. I’m excited and can’t wait for it to start… and to travel with the SIUe team,” said Bauche.

The St. Dominic girl’s soccer team is packed with talent. Seniors Madeline Weston, Maddie Ballard and Brianna Morrow have all committed to play college soccer. However, Madeline Stewart and Caroline Staebell have raised the bar and committed to play in college as juniors.

“Playing a college sport means a faster and more physical game. It has always been my goal to be able to play in college so this means a lot to me and I can’t wait to play soccer on the next level. I am most excited to meet my new teammates for our 2019 roster, for us to gel as a team and maybe even compete in the final four,” said Staebell.

These students earned every bit of their success. The St. Dominic community wishes all of these athletes the best as they live out their childhood dreams playing their sport in college!