After remarkable careers at Park Hill South, six athletes – that includes Grant Dunaway, Isabel Day and Ella Conklin – signed letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers on National Signing Day on Feb. 1.
Park Hill South seniors Ella Conklin, Isabel Day, Jah’Marion Kane, Briggs Bartosh, Grant Dunaway and Darrien Jones pose for a group shot after signing six letters of intent on National Signing Day on Feb. 1.
While it was done in the auditorium in recent years, the ceremony was moved to the gymnasium where the bleachers were packed with the student body and family members of the signees. Park Hill South Athletic Director Samuel Simmons opened the ceremony at the front podium and had each coach and athlete speak about their respective Panther careers before signing in the middle.
Day was the first of two Lady Panthers to sign as she will be playing volleyball at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. While only being the libero for half of the season, Day broke the single season Park Hill South digs record with 636.
Day won countless awards in her time at Park Hill South, including being named to the Prepdig KC All-Metro Team, KC Metro Area Defender of the Year and Class 5 All-State Team. In 92 sets played, she averaged 6.9 digs and 2.29 receptions per set with a 97.8 percent serve percentage.
Ella Conklin was the only other girl to sign, committing to continue her running career at Missouri State University. She is a 5-time state qualifier in cross-country and track and field.
This past fall, Conklin finished in 88th place out of 168 total runners with a time of 20:42.7 after finishing in 78th place in 19:58 in her junior season and 59th place in 20:00.4 her sophomore season. Conklin was a state qualifier in the 800-meter run in each of the last two track and field seasons with one more chance this spring.
Dunaway was an offensive lineman on the Panthers’ football team this past fall and is set to attend Benedictine College. The Kansas City Suburban Conference First Team and Class 6 District 4 Second Team offensive lineman was one of four Park Hill South football players to participate in National Signing Day.
Quarterback Briggs Bartosh, running back Darrien Jones and linebacker Jah’Marion Kane all signed letters of intent as well. Bartosh will be headed to Army, Jones will head to UNLV and Kane will head to Missouri Western State University.