A pair of California High School athletes -- David "DJ" Schneider and Emma Whitson -- have signed letters of intent to play in college athletics.
First was Schneider, who signed to play football at Westminster College in Fulton. Schneider is involved with California High School football, wrestling, track and field and FFA Club. Schneider also enjoys attending his church youth group, cattle showing, swimming, and spending time with friends and family.
Athletically, Schneider tried out for the baseball team his first two years of high school, but felt that it wasn't a good fit for him. In his junior year, Schneider had initially thought about taking a break from sports for the school year, however, his friends convinced him to try track and field. Schneider had a standout season in the javelin and plans to compete again this spring.
Schneider's wrestling career began when California added the sport in the fall of 2020. Schneider was a member of California's inaugural wrestling team at the heavyweight class. Schneider said he first got into wrestling when he was told it would help him get prepared for football season, much like track and field did.
"In both track and field and wrestling, it's all about having good footwork and handwork. It's great for me because my football is about good footwork and using my strength," Schneider said.
Schneider's favorite football memory was attending the Evangel Football Camp in the summer of 2021. His favorite moment came when California beat North Callaway 35-8 in the 2022 Class 2 District 6 playoffs. It was Schneider's first ever playoff win and California's first in the football postseason since 2014.
Although he was now a triple-sport athlete, football was Schneider's first love and he set a goal for himself to make it to the college level. Schneider said that he originally didn't play to go to Westminster, but Pintos head coach Seth Womack that talked him into it.
"I've been playing tackle football since third grade and working with Coach Womack and his staff have done a lot for me over the past two years. Womack helped through this whole process and he helped me branch out to colleges," Schneider said. "I hadn't planned on going to Westminster, but I mentioned it to coach Womack. He was excited because he used to coach there and he was the one who helped me pick it."
Schneider said he had talked to several of his football friends who have either gone to or played for Westminster and he heard nothing but good things about the program. Later, the Blue Jays' head coach Scott Benzel came and visited the Schneider family and gave him an offer. Schneider said it was this encounter and offer from coach Benzel that made his sold on the Blue Jays.
At his signing, Schneider took a moment to give his thanks to California as he began a new chapter in his football career.
"I just want to say thank you to the town for supporting me since I started. Almost everyone in this town knows who I am and I my parents have always told me, I can't do anything without someone else knowing about it," Schneider said. "The love in this town is just amazing and I'll never forget it."
Last Friday afternoon, it was Whitson's turn to sign her letter of intent. Surrounded by family and friends, Whitson made the decision to play volleyball for the Stephens College Stars next fall.
Whitson started playing volleyball when she was in second grade and she was coached by her parents. When she was old enough, Whitson began playing travel volleyball with the teams of Alliance and the Missouri Juniors. Whitson said it was one of her travel volleyball coaches, Tracy Quinn, who helped her and inspired her to play volleyball at a higher level. That next higher level for Whitson was the high school level and she said the upperclassmen players helped her immensely in her freshman season.
"When I first got to high school, I came in and I was very nervous. Just because I knew that the upperclassmen players where really good and I wanted to be as good as them. So I looked up to them a lot, even though I knew the level I was at and I knew that I could play, they helped me to take criticism and that was such a big thing for me early on," Whitson said.
With the help of California's coaching staff and her upperclassmen teammates, Whitson took a leap of faith of the volleyball court and he game began to fly. In her freshman season, Whitson helped the Lady Pintos upset Blair Oaks and California won their first of three straight district titles. Whitson said that win against Blair Oaks was her favorite match and her favorite moment with the Lady Pintos was when she recorded her 1,000th career assist as a junior.
Whitson wants to major in elementary education and chose to attend Stephens College after learning about the children's school they have on their campus grounds. Whitson plans to go to the children's school to complete her student teaching and work to become a kindergarten teacher.
Whitson will be attending Stephens along with fellow senior and best friend Lauren Friedrich, who will be signing with Stephens basketball later this spring. Whitson and Friedrich had always wanted to go the same college together ever since they were kids and now they will get that chance. The best friends will be joined at Stephens by fellow California alumni KaLynn Irey, who is currently playing basketball for the Stephens Stars. They are currently 15-6 on the season.
Whitson hopes to give back to the community she has called home by becoming a teacher in California when she earns her teaching degree. Whitson will begin her collegiate volleyball career with the Stars in September.
"Having a small town where everyone is very supportive and the community is super close is awesome. Which is why I might want to come back and teach at California once I get my degree," Whitson said. "I just want to say thank to everyone who has supported me here in California and I look forward to coming back here whenever I can."
The Schneider family celebrated the son DJ's signing to Westminster College football on Jan. 31. (Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Schneider is joined by his parents and his high school coaches at his college signing on Jan. 31(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
California senior signed to Stephens College to play volleyball on Friday afternoon. (Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
The Whitson family came to California High School to celebrate Emma's signing to Stephens College on Friday.(Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Emma Whitson (center bottom row) with her parents and the Stephens College volleyball coaches. (Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Whitson (middle) with California volleyball head coach Julie Bailey (left) and Stephens volleyball head coach Mikayla Ell (right). (Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)
Whitson (center bottom row) with her Lady Pintos teammates. (Democrat photo/Evan Holmes)