For Cassville senior Jolie Evans, the reward for running is the result at the end, and the standout is will start a new chapter of rewards next year as a runner for Washburn University.
Evans signed recently to the school, running cross country in the fall, indoor track in the winter and outdoor track in the spring.
For the Lady Wildcats, Evans was part of the 4×800 relay team that took 9th in the state in 2021. This past spring, the relay team took 8th in state, and Evans also contributed to a 4×400 relay team that took 10th.
In cross country, Evans was the top finisher for the Lady Wildcats at state in 2021, taking 51st place, and this fall, she took 19th in 20:14.30, earning the only medal for the girls team.
Evans said she looked at three colleges, Washburn, Maryville and William Jewel, and she found the Topeka, Kan., college was her best fit.
“I chose Washburn because of what the academics and athletics programs have to offer,” she said. “I liked the coaches and met some of the team members, and I have been talking to other girls going there next year, one from Hermann and another from Kansas. They also just built a $20 million indoor track facility that is really nice.”
Looking back at her time at Cassville, Evans said the memories made with her teammates will last the longest.
“Definitely getting a state medal for both sports was memorable, but I will never forget the bond I had with my teammates,” she said. “We know how to hype one another up to meet our goals and win.”
Already competing in cross country and outdoor track, Evans is excited for next winter.
“I’m excited to compete in a more competitive level, and to focus on it year-round,” she said. “I like to compete, and the fun in running is the result of the work you’ve put in during the season.”
Evans said for up-and-coming runners, hard work is a necessity.
“It gets hard when you’re putting in work in the offseason, but it pays off,” she said. “You just have to have faith in yourself and everything you are doing.”
Evans is the daughter of Daron and Jennifer Evans, of Cassville. She plans to major in Kinesiology and minor in pre-physical therapy.
