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Three Bayfield High School seniors ink National Letters of Intent

Three Bayfield High School seniors sign with colleges

BAYFIELD

Colter McMenimen must think he looks good in purple.

The Bayfield High School senior will continue his football career at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, after signing a National Letter of Intent on Thursday at BHS.

He’ll trade the Wolverines’ purple for the Division III Rams’ next year and try to find a place in their defensive backfield.

“It could be corner, safety, wherever I fit in,” said McMenimen, son of Missy and Todd McMenimen.

Either way, he found a school and a town that fits him.

Mount Vernon has a population of just over 4,500, which is almost twice as big as Bayfield, and located 25 minutes away from Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The small school, small town vibe works perfectly for McMenimen.

“I’d be alright going to a real big school, but I like the small school, and I really liked talking to the coaches,” he said.

McMenimen actually first came into contact with the Rams because of his wrestling prowess.

Cornell’s wrestling coaches sent McMenimen a letter after he placed third at the state tournament in his sophomore year.

Then BHS head football coach Gary Heide stepped in and made a pitch for McMenimen the football player over McMenimen the wrestler.

He made a compelling case.

McMenimen twice was named All-Intermountain League for the Wolverines and intercepted four passes in his senior season.

He could have wrestled at Divsion-II CSU-Pueblo if he wanted to but decided on Cornell instead.

Choosing football meant moving on from a wrestling career that twice saw him place at the state tournament.

At least for now.

“Football’s my No. 1 focus, but if I decide during my sophomore year that I miss wrestling too much and want to get back in it, I can,” McMenimen said. “A lot of guys on my team do both.”

Suzie Rhodes – Laramie County Community College

Suzie Rhodes found opportunity’s door and knocked on it, instead.

The Bayfield High School senior volleyball setter signed a National Letter of Intent on Thursday to play for Laramie County Community College in Wyoming after showing some initiative.

“I emailed them in October. The head coach watched me play my sophomore year, so, small world,” said Rhodes, daughter of Carl and Karin Rhodes.

Rhodes also considered Sterling College in Kansas and Colorado Northwestern Community College but liked Laramie the best.

She won’t walk into a guaranteed spot, either.

There are two other setters competing at the two-year institution.

That’s fine with Rhodes.

“I’m going to have to fight for a spot. I’m going to have to train all summer,” she said. “Competition drives me. So having someone to compete against actually motivated me more to choose that school.”

She’ll head to Laramie as an all-conference performer and the 2013 IML Player of the Year.

“Suzie Rhodes caps a stellar prep career, having commanded a high octane offense for Bayfield for the past three years. She’s a very intelligent athlete, unafraid of competition,” BHS head coach Terene Foutz said in an email to The Durango Herald. “She’s ready to quarterback at the next level, and we are all incredibly proud of her.”

Jessie Roukema – Neosho County Community College

Jessie Roukema first heard of Neosho County Community College from former teammate Gabby Rifilato.

She initially brushed it off then started to like Neosho more the more she looked into playing for the Panthers.

“I heard the volleyball there is good. The work seems good,” said Roukema, daughter of Jerrin and Shane Roukema. “Everything fits in.”

Roukema had a breakout year in her senior season last year with 149 kills and 141 service aces.

She made the All-IML second team last year.

“Jessie Roukema performed beautifully her senior season,” Foutz said. “She worked very hard at learning and dominating our right side pin.”

Another aspect that drew Roukema to Neosho was the opportunity to compete in both volleyball and track and field.

She currently is the No. 10 high jumper in Colorado in Class 3A at 5 feet, just four inches behind leader McKayla Bauer from University.

Neosho will let her continue in both sports.

“I was really hoping I could do both,” Roukema said. “They sent me over to the track coach, I told him my (personal records), and he said he’d love to have me.”

kgrabowski@durangoherald.com

Apr 16, 2015
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