In front of family, friends, teammates, and coaches Charlestown’s successful running duo, Jackie and Jessie McCoy, recently signed their letter of intent to continue their education and cross country and track at Taylor University.

Most know that the McCoy sisters were very decorated athletes at Charlestown. Both are members of sectional and conference championship teams. They have earned Mid Southern Conference honors, All-Area honors, and many invitational championships. Jackie was a 2-time semi-state qualifier and Jessie was a state finalist and a 2-time All State honorable mention recipient.

Located in Upland, Indiana, Taylor’s influence spans the globe. With 99% of students employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation, the Christian liberal arts approach inspires student-leaders to minister Christ’s redemptive love, grace, and truth to a world in need. A longstanding legacy of excellence inside and outside the classroom has earned Taylor University rankings in the top three Midwest Colleges by U.S. News & World Report for nearly three decades. Taylor Athletics now has 16 intercollegiate athletic teams—including baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, track & field, softball, and volleyball. The Taylor University Women’s Cross Country team is currently ranked #1 in NAIA as the reigning 2022 National Champions.

When asked about the decision to attend Taylor University, Jackie said, “Taylor University is a private Christian college and has one of the best science programs in Indiana. I chose Taylor because I love to learn about God and to become a better discipline, and I can do this at Taylor while I study the field I feel led in. I will be going to Taylor to obtain my Bachelor Degree in Biology Health Sciences and along the way be on the Maddawg cross country and track team. I love running, God, and science and Taylor can and will perfectly fulfill all of my aspirations for these things. I cannot wait to join them this coming fall and to see where God might lead me on this new journey.”

Jessie added, “I love running with an emissive passion, but it does not compare to my love for God. I chose Taylor University because of the spiritual foundation and God’s handiwork that is ever present there. The opportunity I have been given to run there was just a gift from God, and I want to use it to hopefully bring glory to him. I am forever thankful to the coaches and administrators at Taylor University, they have been a blessing and another wonderful gift from God.”

Taylor University head coach, Quinn White said, “We are so excited to have Jackie and Jessie at Taylor. Their work ethic, talent, and demeanor fit our culture so well. They will have a wonderful impact on our team the next four years. We wish them the best as they finish off their careers at Charlestown HS. ”  In his 12 seasons leading the Taylor women’s cross country program, White has helped the Trojans to a record-setting nine-straight Crossroads League Championships and nine top-20 finishes at the NAIA National Championships. In the last nine seasons, the program has also racked up 55 All-Crossroads League awards and 11 NAIA All-American honors.

Charlestown High School cross country and track coach had this to say: “Jessie and Jackie have been the heart of Pirate Cross Country and Track & Field for the last four years! I will tell any athlete that if they want to be their best, look to Jess and Jackie as an example. Their hard work and dedication to their sport is unparalleled! Together, they have led our cross country program to heights that I never could have imagined! I am not sure that we will ever duplicate the four year stretch that we have had while they have been in our program, leading us to two sectional titles and a conference title, plus numerous meet championships. They will be sorely missed, but I am excited to watch them flourish at the next level!”

The Charlestown High School athletic department and WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulate Jackie & Jessie and wish them a healthy and prosperous future at Taylor.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network’s Aiden Stewart.

 

Yesterday, Charlestown senior Raelynn Rufer was surrounded by family, friends, and coaches as she signed a celebratory letter of intent to attend school and run cross country and track at Hanover College next year.

Nestled in 650 acres of a wooded campus and located on the banks of the scenic Ohio River, Hanover College is a private, liberal arts institution where brains and beauty truly intersect. Their rigorous interdisciplinary academic program with 34 majors attracts the best and the brightest from across the region and beyond.

Hanover College competes at the NCAA Division III level in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, including Anderson University, Bluffton University (Ohio), Defiance College (Ohio), Earlham College, Franklin College, Hanover College, Manchester University, Mount St. Joseph University (Ohio), Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology & Transylvania University (Ky.) Hanover is home to twenty varsity sports including men’s and women’s basketball,  cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track and field, men’s baseball, football and swimming, and women’s softball and volleyball.

When asked about her choice to attend school, double major business and art history,

and participate in athletics at Hanover College with the Panthers, Rufer replied, “Thinking about college is not something I like to do often. However, when I think about going to college at Hanover a smile comes to my face. I appreciate all my coaches and the teachers that have gotten me here. I look forward to my athletic and academic endeavors at Hanover College”

Charlestown cross country and track coach Jerry Doyle had this to say: “Raelynn has been a joy to coach! She is a natural leader, oftentimes leading the team in drills and stretching. She is a gifted athlete, who puts in a lot of extra work outside of track and cross-country conditioning. She is always striving to improve her overall fitness, so that she can be competitive in the events that she competes in! She is also a top notch student, putting in the work necessary to succeed academically. She will be missed next year, but I look forward to watching her grow in her next chapter at Hanover!”

WPMQ, The Pirate Network congratulates Raelynn and wishes her a healthy and prosperous future as a Hanover College Panther.

Article contributed by WPMQ, The Pirate Network staff member Aiden Stewart.