Commitment: National signing day Five athletes make decisions about their future

Five Englewood High School seniors make it official signing to be student-athletes at area colleges and universities. They took part in National Signing Day which, according to the NCAA, has traditionally been the first day that a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of Intent for a collegiate sport with a school that is a member of the United States National Collegiate Athletic Association.

Those signing letters of intent include Hunter Johnson-Labbe, Gunner Johnson-Labbe, Shawn Fox, Kadence Webber, and Dillon Hebel.

Gunner Johnson-Labbe

Colorado State University-Pueblo

Gunner Johnson-Labbe has played football for years and as senior quarterback spent the last few years preparing for this eventuality, “I think I prepared pretty heavily going to quarterback training, going to every single summer workout, make sure I knew my teammates, made sure we were ready for the season.”

Johnson's grandfather, Jodi Johnson can't hide his pride in the honor of signing with a college, "It's been a while they deserve everything come into this just proud."

"They" are twins, Gunner and Hunter Johnson. Both earned spots on the CSU-Pueblo team. Grandpa Johnson knows what the future holds for them, "They're the man right there. You can see them in the NFL one day."

Playing for the same school is what the twins always wanted, "That's good. That's what they need. You put those two together. You're getting a two for one. Whoever picks them up. They're gonna find out what they got." said Jodi.

Coach Mike Campbell expressed his pride in the seniors who have led the team this year. Campbell said the young men showed they have what it takes to be real leaders in the classroom and on the field, "They really deserve this. They worked really hard to be here today."

CSU-Pueblo Football

Hunter Johnson-Labbe

Colorado State University-Pueblo

Hunter Johnson-Labbe is the other half of the dynamic duo. He played defensive back and wide receiver and will use those skills at CSU-Pueblo.

His grandfather sees a strong person every time he looks at Hunter, "He can run he could catch he could throw everything. Gunner is the same way. He can run cards and all. You name a tackle. They got eyes, their heads on a swivel. You put them in the backfield on defense. They nobody coming through. They're gonna get them. On offense, put those two to work. They know each other they read each other. They feel each other. That's it. They got it. They got everything it takes all they need is a chance. And you won't be disappointed."

Shawn Fox

Doane University- Nebraska

Shawn Fox was a linebacker for EHS. He says the position is hard because you have to be fast on your feet, "You're the captain of the defense and you make most of the tackles especially in the scheme that we run, you're heavily important. You have to make the plays, you have to make the tackles. You have to read linemen, there's a lot involved in it.”

Doane University Football

Shawn's father, Chris Fox could hardly contain his excitement, "It means that my son is finally going somewhere that he's worked his entire life. Through football through school, he's finally found a place where he's gonna fit in really well, he's gonna succeed and couldn't be more proud of the hard work it takes to get here."

The list of people who helped him get here is long, "You know, myself, his mother, family, his coaches, the entire EHS staff, you know, from preschool to directors to teachers to janitors, everybody. Everybody in the school has made this possible for him."

As every parent of a senior, he is both excited and nervous about this next step, "Mixed reactions. I'm glad that he is going somewhere where he wants to go. It was his choice. He had options. He could have stayed here in the state but he found the right fit for himself. I think he's mature enough and he's going to grow as a young man, very mature for his age, and we just wish him the best."

Kadence Webber

Drury University- Missouri

Kadence Webber signs a letter of intent to cheer for Drury University. This is an opportunity for her to be part of the team at the college level. According to the school's website, the Drury University cheer team is strong and talented and finished as the national runner-up in the Open Small Co-Ed Division at the UCA Cheerleading and Dance National Championship in Orlando, Florida

Drury University Cheer Program

Cheer coach Ginger Rode speaks at the ceremony praising Kadence for the effort she put into the season.

Zachary and Cheryl Webber, the parents of Kadence say this is an amazing time for Kadence, "Nervous and excited. "

They say a lot of hard work got her here, "Everything like emotions and stress, lots of hard work." Cheryl is nervous that Kadence is going so far from home, "Extremely excited for her and her opportunity. At the same time, nervous because she'll be so far away. But yeah, I know it'd be good for her and all her opportunities."

Dillon Hebel

Ottawa University- Kansas

Dillon Hebel will be joining the Braves in Kansas. He transferred from Dakota Ridge to Colorado's Finest High School of Choice in 2020-2021. His coaches say he is a core talent on the team, "He brings good leadership and is a great teammate. He allows himself to be coachable as well as take time to teach the younger players which is an integral part of rebuilding the program after he leaves," said Kyle Brink

Ottawa University Baseball

Hebel will go into the Kansas program as a pitcher.

"He is a great pitcher with good velocity and off-speed pitches and earned second team all conference last year." said Coach Lance Lammers.

The Ottawa Braves have had 133 Conference championships, 163 NAIA scholar teams, 47 NAIA national tournament appearances, 253 All-Americans, and 607 Daktronic scholar-athletes.

Family, friends, and teammates joined in the celebration and signing event on February 3, 2022. Nearly the entire school came out to support the student-athletes and wish them luck on their next adventure.

A letter of intent means the school is committed to a specific amount of money in the form of scholarships for playing for the college. The student-athletes will still need to complete the second semester of their senior year in good standing to finish the process.

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