Last week, four Lincoln Christian athletes officially signed to play at the next level, as they wrap up stellar high school careers and will represent the Bulldogs in college.
Seniors Wylie Bales (volleyball), Trevor Hacker (cross country and track), Chandler Cozbey (baseball) and Carter Ricke (football) all made if official on Thursday afternoon at Lincoln Christian School, as a gym full of teammates, family members, coaches, classmates, teachers and school administrators watched on.
Each has excelled on the court, field, track or course in their own way, representing the Bulldogs at an elite level.
Now, they will do the same on the big stage at the next level.
BALES FINDS FUTURE HOME AT SIMILAR PROGRAM, SIGNS WITH STERLING
Senior volleyball standout Wylie Bales played a big role for another state tournament team at Lincoln this fall.
And while she wasn't sure what her future held at one point, she sure is now.
Bales signed last week with Sterling College in Sterling, KS, where she will continue her volleyball career at the next level.
"I've gone back and forth for a while now on what my next steps would look like," Bales said.
"Choosing to play at the next level was a big decision for me because it's a big commitment, but it's nice to know that after years of hard work, I've been able to reach a place where I even get to make this choice."
Bales had a big senior season for Lincoln, finishing the year second on the team with 232 kills, while also totaling 62 digs and 35 aces.
She helped the Bulldogs to a 19-18 record, a regional championship and the program's 17th straight state tournament appearance.
"As a captain of our varsity team this year, she set the tone with her dedication, work ethic, and heart," said Lincoln head coach Deidra Rader. "She showed leadership, resilience and helped lift up the entire team. We are so proud of her for pursuing her goals and representing our program at the collegiate level."
Bales was also named to the Catoosa Port-City All-Tournament team in her senior season.
But now, Bales will go from a Bulldog to a Warrior, which is something she is certainly looking forward to.
"When I first got to Sterling and played with the team, I instantly knew it was something I wanted for my future," Bales said.
Bales feels fortunate to have been a part of such a special program at Lincoln, where she learned about mental toughness and leadership, something she believes will fit in well at Sterling.
"Being at LCS, we focused a lot on our mental game and how important it is to be a good teammate," she said. "I learned that a good leader doesn't pick and choose when they want to lead. This is something that I immediately noticed in every girl at Sterling, and I felt like it was the reassurance that I needed to make my choice."
"Knowing that Sterling had all of the similar aspects of Lincoln volleyball provided a lot of comfort because it felt like it was helping everything I'd worked for at Lincoln come full circle.
HACKER CAPS OFF STELLAR LINCOLN CAREER BY SIGNING WITH ROGERS STATE
Lincoln senior Trevor Hacker made as big of an improvement as you'll find from the start of his career until the end.
And in the end, Hacker was a six-time state champion and two-time all-state runner for the Bulldogs.
Now, he will look to write a similar story at Rogers State, where he will begin his collegiate career in the fall after signing with the Hillcats last week.
"For me, continuing my running career at the next level is a testament to my hard work and the goodness of God," said Hacker.
Hacker went from outside of the top 15 on the roster as a freshman and outside of the top 700 in the state, to being the No. 2 runner on the team and rated in the top 50 in his final season for Lincoln.
Hacker helped the Bulldogs to a another state title this fall, his 6th in his four year career at LCS.
The senior shaved almost three minutes off his 5k time during his career, finishing in the top eight at state in two straight seasons.
"Being part of such a successful program makes me all the more glad that I got to have the special experience of being on this team these past four years," said Hacker.
He also was top eight twice in the 3200 in track and ran 4:43 in the mile, making the podium twice in the spring during his career with one more chance coming in the next few months.
"He was the spiritual leader of our team," said Lincoln head coach Stephen Lewelling. "He knew what he wanted and knew the work it would take to get him there."
Hacker gives credit to his teammates for pushing him over the years, as well as providing a special culture that resulted in numerous state titles.
"What has helped me grow most over the years are the great teammates I've had," Hacker said.
After track this spring, Hacker is looking forward to finding a similar group of guys at RSU, as well as discovering similar success to what he's become used to.
"I'm looking forward to being a part of and contributing to a close knit group of guys," Hacker said. "At the next level I would like to make varsity by my second year and help the RSU Hillcats finish top three in our conference and make nationals."
COZBEY TURNS BIG IMPACT ON LINCOLN BASEBALL INTO NEXT OPPORTUNITY AT NSU
Lincoln senior Chandler Cozbey has done it all for Lincoln.
Pitching, hitting, base running, leadership - you name it.
Now, Cozbey will hope to save the best for last in his Bulldog career this spring, before heading east to nearby Northeastern State, where he signed to continue his baseball career last week.
"It's a mix of excitement and thankfulness," Cozbey said when asked about reflecting on making his college plans official. "I'm excited for the chance to compete at the next level and keep playing the game I love. It's something I've dreamed about since I was little, so it's really cool to see it become a reality."
"I'm grateful to God for giving me this opportunity. I know none of this would be possible without Him. I'm also thankful for my family, coaches, and teammates who have believed in me and pushed me. I've had a lot of great people in my corner and I wouldn't be the player or person I am without them."
Cozbey was a key starter for Lincoln as a junior, taking the ball in eight starts to the tune of a 4-0 record. He had a 2.94 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP with 32 strikeouts across 35.2 innings.
At the plate, Cozbey, hit .260 for Lincoln and had a .415 on-base percentage. He had four doubles and three triples, as well as a homer and 15 RBIs from his leadoff spot.
He was named an all-district outfielder as a junior.
"Chandler is an incredible kid and leader for our program," said Lincoln head coach Greg Harmon. "Not only is he a force for us on the mound and a table setter for us in the lineup, but he is the type of player that makes everyone better with his play, effort and consistency."
"He's had an outstanding career thus far and we are expecting big things from him this fall," said Harmon. "He will be a crucial part of our team in all parts of the game. I'm so excited for his future at the next level. He has a very bright future."
Cozbey has grown into a leader in his own way, leading by action and showing his teammates how to work.
"As a leader, I've learned that I don't have to be the loudest person to lead. I'm naturally a quieter person, so I try to lead by my actions and how I show up every day. I've had great leaders before me in both baseball and basketball and I learned a lot from the way that they carried themselves. I hope I can pass that on to the younger guys as well," the senior said.
And speaking of his play, while Cozbey has always been a consistent force on the mound, his focus on improvement at the plate has shown up big time and progressed each year.
"I feel like one of my biggest improvements has been offensively. I've always spent a lot of time focusing on pitching in the offseason because it takes a lot of time to make sure your arm is ready, but the last couple years I've also focused on hitting year round so I can do my part to contribute on the offensive side as well," he said.
Cozbey is ready to help his team finally break through to the state tournament this spring in his final season. And he plans to do so by being himself and showing up with his best every day.
"We have some big goals this year and the right guys in place to accomplish them. I see us winning a lot of games this season and making a run at a state championship in May," said Cozbey. "Personally, I want to be someone my team can rely on in any situation and finish out my high school career playing my best baseball."
But after his time is done at Lincoln, Cozbey will head to Tahlequah, where he hopes to continue developing and growing under a coach that has big plans for the incoming recruiting class.
"As a player, I want to keep developing and contribute however the team needs me to," said Cozbey. "I want to grow under their pitching staff, continue to improve my strength and velocity, and become a reliable arm that the team can count on."
"I know Coach Williams has big goals for the program and I want to help accomplish those goals by competing every day and doing my part to help us win games and move the program forward."
Ultimately, Cozbey feels he found the perfect fit at NSU for many reasons, and he is more than excited to start his next chapter after finishing strong in his current one at Lincoln.
"I'm really looking forward to playing for Coach Williams and his staff. The pitching staff has a great vision for me and sees a lot of potential in my development. It'll also be the first time in my life that I'll just be playing one sport, so I'm looking forward to seeing what I can accomplish being fully focused on baseball," Cozbey said.
"There are a lot of great things happening at NSU right now, and I'm excited to be a part of it."
RICKE WILL CONTINUE FAMILY LEGACY AT EMPORIA STATE
Lincoln senior quarterback Carter Ricke has been around Emporia State a time or two in his life.
It's a place he feels comfortable, just like the last 12 years at Lincoln Christian, where Ricke leaves a legacy that is unmatched over his two years as starting quarterback and three years as a starter.
And now, he will carry over that familiarly to Emporia State, as Ricke follows older brothers Chase and Caden to east central Kansas, officially signing with the Hornets last week.
"It helped a lot with the decision, just knowing that it is a great program and they truly care for all there players is something special," said Ricke. "The coaches are true to what they say and want the best out of all of us."
Ricke was 28-0 as a starter and led the Bulldogs to back-to-back state titles, finishing as an all-stater and the Class 3A-3 MVP.
He completed 74% of passes for 2,798 yards and 41 touchdowns in his senior season.
Ricke also was a threat as a runner, totaling 547 yards and seven scores on the ground — averaging 10.9 yards per attempt.
"He was the natural leader of our team," said his dad and head coach Jerry Ricke.
Ricke sits near the top of many passing categories in school history after his two years at quarterback.
The senior totaled 5,972 yards (4th all-time) and 86 touchdowns (3rd), while finishing a clear best all time in career completion percentage at 75%. Ricke's 17.1 yards per completion is also the second-best in Lincoln history.
Ricke, who was also named as the team MVP,, ran for 831 yards and 10 touchdowns in his career, averaging 9.4 yards per attempt.
"I have really enjoyed watching him come through our system, all the way from 1st grade through 12th grade," said his dad. "The fact that he gets to continue this for four or five more years is just icing on the cake."
"The thing I'm most proud of as a dad is the man that he has grown into. He has matured into a great young man and follower of Christ, something I hope he continues in his next journey."
Now, Ricke will head to Emporia State as a quarterback, hoping to accomplish similar things on and off the field.
"I'm looking forward most to just developing as a player and a man," said the senior. "I know it's going to be hard but I'm up for the challenge."
Ricke believes adapting to the environment at the next level will be key for him, but attainable after being prepared as the leader of one of the top program's in Oklahoma.
"I think one of the first things I will try to improve on is just getting use the college level in the weight room and the speed on the field," said Ricke. "It's a lot different from high school and is challenging. I think if I can study film and really learn the basics of the offense, it will help me get on the field."
Ricke hopes to achieve similar success as a team and player as a Hornet, aiming to bring the winning culture he's used to into longtime coach Garin Higgins' program.
"As a team at Emporia, I think to win a conference championship and make a deep run in the playoffs would be really cool," said Ricke. "Individually, I think being a big role in the team is important and just playing good while I'm doing it is what I hope to accomplish."
And of course, he will join older brother Caden, a sophomore at Emporia State, when he arrives on campus in the fall. He will also continue the Ricke family lineage at quarterback, following now LCS assistant coach Chase, who played for the Hornets from 2021-2024.
"Being the third to go to Emporia State in my family is important to me because it is a place I know my whole family can call home," said Ricke. "It definitely made my decision easier and made the commitment a whole lot better."
"Being welcomed in by the players and coaching staff and them knowing my family is a really cool thing to have."
Photos by Lee Talley
