Very few athletes in Windsor High School’s history have gone on to compete at the Division I  level.

Senior Taylor Richey is now joining a relatively short list (See below).

Track standout Taylor Richey has officially committed  to the Missouri State University. She signed her letter of intent today to compete in track and field in Springfield. Along with being one of the only D-I athletes in Windsor’s history, Richey now has the chance to become part of an even more exclusive club.

Only one Windsor athlete has signed to a D-I university right out of high school and competed there all four years. Andee Allen, a 2005 Windsor graduate, is the only Windsor athlete that has gone straight to a Division I school out of high school and competed at that same school for four years. Allen, who was voted the team MVP while at Mizzou, helped lead the Tigers to the College World Series in 2009 and 2010.

Richey has good reason to believe that she can become the second to accomplish this feat. However, there are three former Windsor students currently attending Division I schools for athletics–Brandon Fouts in football (SEMO), Madison Harris in softball (SEMO) and Lauryn Kunz in soccer (Morehead State)

“I’m very dedicated and playing club sports that I compete in are similar to D-1 competition,” Richey said.

Big signings like this certainly ignite a spark of pride and hope among the athletes, peers and coaches throughout the Windsor community.

Coach Stephany Dueker said, “Watching athletes get the opportunity to compete in college is one of the very best parts about being a varsity coach.”

Not only is it enjoyable to look back on an athlete’s accomplishments when they move on to compete at the next level, but it is also a source of excitement to look forward to what they’re capable of doing at the collegiate level. According to Coach Dueker, Richey is more than capable of obtaining the same success in her future.

“She’s incredibly talented, extremely hard-working, super competitive, and very self-motivated.  When you add those four together, the sky is the limit for a kid like her,” Dueker said.

Richey considered a number of schools to compete at, including several non-Division I schools, but she ultimately decided Missouri State was the best fit for her.

“I didn’t just want to be the best wherever I signed,” Richey said. “I wanted something that would push me.”

Taylor Richey took home a third place medal (100m) and a seventh place medal (200m) at the state track meet in May. Richey will begin her senior season on February 26.

The Hoot has compiled a list of Windsor athletes who have competed at the Division I level at some point. If anybody is left off of the list, please email newspaper adviser Jeff Stoffey at [email protected]

Name                                Sport                                School

Blane Boss                         Baseball                          Northwestern State (Louisiana)

Mike Kraatz                       Baseball                          SEMO

Corey Lawson                   Baseball                           Missouri State, SLU

Luke Schlechte                 Baseball                           Coastal Carolina University

Kurt Bauer                        Basketball                        University of Mississippi

Andrea Haegele              Basketball                          University of New Orleans

Ashley Haegele               Basketball                           Florida Gulf Coast University

Justin Adams                  Football                              Northern Illinois University

Jamie Critchlow             Football                               Oregon State University

Brandon Fouts                Football                               SEMO*

Damian Smith                 Football                               SEMO

Greg Westermayer         Football                               SEMO

Tess Barnes                      Rowing                               Murray State University

Andee Allen                     Softball                                Mizzou

Madison Harris              Softball                                SEMO*

Lauryn Kunz                   Soccer                                  Morehead State University*

Shon Kyle                        Track                                    SEMO

Lisa Forchee                   Volleyball                            Murray State University

Haley Pouliezos             Volleyball                            University of Louisville

Kaitlin Wagener            Volleyball                            University of Illinois at Chicago

Timmy Waltenberger   Wrestling                            Mizzou

*currently in college