They once represented their high school on the field or court.
They now represent their country in the military.
Today is Independence Day or the Fourth of July, a time for Americans to celebrate the birth of American independence and appreciate the freedoms they have.
The Tribune caught up with some former Jackson County high school athletes who now serve in the military.
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Collyn Claywell
High school and graduation year: Brownstown Central, 2017
Sports: Track and field freshman year, basketball junior year while attending Crothersville High School, AAU basketball for Southern Indiana Shock four years
Activities: German Club, Pep Club
Military: E4 specialist with the Indiana National Guard specializing in cybersecurity and currently lives in Evansville and serves as a National Guard recruiter
How did participating in sports help you?
Sports helped me find other ways to create relationships and make memories. Travel sports from age 6 through high school kept me physically active and engaged in a structured activity. I needed boundaries and a positive outlet. It kept me motivated to do well in school at times so I could play. Also, getting my first job was a motivator for me. It allowed me to learn the value of earning my own money and the importance of saving.
What’s your favorite sports memory?
Playing in the sectional against our biggest rival and against defending state champs.
Why did you decide to join the military?
I decided to join because I want to serve this country. My great-grandfathers are both veterans. One was a huge part of why I joined the National Guard. He is a retired Army colonel and graduate of West Point. He has been my biggest influence. My other great-grandpa attended my high school graduation and died the next month. He served 28 years in the U.S. Air Force.
What does it mean to you to serve your country?
It means a lot to me only because I am a part of something bigger than myself and stand for anything bigger than I’ve ever been.
Brady Cockerham
High school and graduation year: Seymour, 2011
Sports: Football four years, track and field four years
Military: Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and a naval flight officer in Patrol Squadron 45
How did participating in sports help you?
Participating in sports played a huge impact on my life, but I would say it was the coaches that played a bigger part in my life than the sport itself, coach Jeff Richey being the most influential. I’ve never had another coach in my life who cared as much about the players he had and mentoring them throughout their high school years. Through him is where I learned most about discipline and teamwork.
What’s your favorite sports memory?
The bus rides to away track meets. It was just such a relaxed atmosphere and everyone got along, so everyone was joking and laughing and just having a good time.
Why did you decide to join the military?
I’ve always been really interested in the military and the opportunities it affords you in life. Plus, I’ve always loved to fly, so I figured it would be a great way to fly and also serve my country as I do it.
What does it mean to you to serve your country?
It means the world to me to be able to serve my country and follow in the footsteps of so many before me.
What does freedom and independence mean to you?
Freedom to me means everything. After traveling to different countries in the world, I’m proud of all of the freedoms we get to enjoy. As it comes to the Fourth of July, it’s just nice to be able to relax and spend time with our family and friends.
Devan Davis
High school and graduation year: Brownstown Central, 2018
Sport: Football freshman and sophomore years
Activities: Band, National Honor Society, German Club
Military: Serving on active duty orders with the U.S. Army National Guard, private first class in the 232nd Medical Battalion
How did participating in sports help you?
In terms of helping me in my military career and general life, high school sports teach you discipline, fitness physically and mentally and how to evolve to your surroundings in in-game situations. Being adaptive is a big thing in the military, and high school sports help tremendously with that ability.
What’s your favorite sports memory?
When we won sectional my sophomore year.
Why did you decide to join the military?
Deciding to join the military was a culmination of wanting to improve my overall quality of life by becoming something more and doing something more for my community and country. On top of that, the military has incredible benefits that aid you in continuing your education and paying for it, as well.
What does it mean to you to serve your country?
Serving my country means I am doing something bigger. It means I am willing to protect our country, our Constitution and my brothers and sisters in arms. Being in the military means you have the heart and soul to be willing to give up your life for the success and continuance of your country.
What does freedom and independence mean to you?
Freedom to me means that you have a choice. No one person can dictate what you are and are not capable of. If someone wants to be a doctor, lawyer, artist, teacher, etc., they have the right to do that. Freedom is being able to decide what you want to do with your life and when you want to do it. Independence to me means that we are our own entity. We aren’t controlled, and no other country or person dictates how we choose to run our country. Our independence was earned by those of us willing to fight for it, and that’s one thing that is so awesome about being in the military. We fight for the commonwealth of our country and the freedom and independence that we all deserve. Happy Fourth of July to everyone.
Jacob Foist
High school and graduation year: Trinity Lutheran, 2009
Sports: Baseball two years, summer baseball one year
Activities: Monthly servant leadership, including cleaning and organizing the pantry and refrigerators at Anchor House Family Assistance Center and Pantry and repairing Bibles at Camp Lakeview
Military: Graduated from Fort Jackson boot camp in April 2020, then sent to Fort Huachuca for advanced individual training and moved up a phase from private first class to private second class in the U.S. Army and elected squad leader by peers
How did participating in sports help you?
Sharpen my skills regarding teamwork, responsibility, camaraderie and respect for the individual.
What’s your favorite sports memory?
Defeating Brownstown. I was awarded the game ball by coach Schneider and my teammates.
Why did you decide to join the military?
I had several good jobs; however, I felt I wasn’t challenged. My wife and I spoke with Army and Navy recruiters. The Army was the best choice for myself and my family.
What does it mean to you to serve your country?
To protect America, the freedoms and liberties of our great country, to uphold our Constitution and values and to make America safe and our best hope for all.
What does freedom and independence mean to you?
The Fourth of July is a day set aside for the celebration of our great country by all Americans celebrating the freedom of man, our independence, the hope for continued happiness and peace throughout.
Chad Moore
High school and graduating year: Seymour, 2009
Sports: Football four years, basketball four years, baseball four years
Military: First lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and currently the future operations officer at 3D Radio Battalion at Marine Corps Base Hawaii
How did participating in sports help you?
I would not be the man I am today if it were not for the examples my coaches provided. I learned the value of hard work and the importance of deriving motivation and discipline from within. I learned that no one owes me anything in life. Up until recently, I never realized how much losing and defeat at that age is probably more valuable than anything else when you put your heart and soul into the team as much as I did. Life isn’t fair and it’s challenging and it’s hard and it doesn’t always go as planned no matter how hard you work, but a purpose-driven life and individual responsibility can guide you through all of that difficulty.
What’s your favorite sports memory?
At my core, what I truly wanted at that age was to make my parents and grandparents proud. Competing honorably in high school sports was my way of doing that. Now that I’m older, I can honestly say that my favorite memory was seeing how proud they were after every game. I grew up in a two-parent household where they made me stay in school and provided me with moral guidance and logical reasoning. That used to be expected out of parents, but sadly now, it is considered a privilege for a kid to have that. I owe everything to them.
Why did you decide to join the military?
I worked at the Columbus Police Department for five years and decided to join after that. I always wanted to be a Marine and knew I wasn’t getting any younger, so my wife, Madeleine, and I decided to go for it. I decided to join the military out of regret. I looked around and saw all of the benefits and opportunities this country provides its citizens, and I felt guilty that I wasn’t doing anything to give back. I was in great shape and more than willing to fight for our freedoms and liberties. I hit the lottery by being born in the greatest country in the world, so the least I could do is pay it back by serving in the military. Will I try to make this a career? I have no idea at this point. I’m just fortunate to be where I am, and I’m taking it day by day.
What does it mean to you to serve your country?
Besides marrying my wife, Madeleine, it has been the greatest honor of my life. I will forever stand in the footsteps of heroes, and I’ll never forget that everything we have in this country is due to their sacrifice.
What does freedom and independence mean to you?
There are many countries that have freedoms, but no country is as free as the United States. The opportunities I had are open to every citizen of this country, regardless of race, gender or religion. They are not for everyone, but they are available to everyone. Everything I have today draws its origins from those opportunities, but having opportunities is not a guarantee anywhere else except for this country. And that to me is extraordinary.
Abbie Reynolds
High school and graduating year: Brownstown Central, 2020
Sports: Cross country four years, tennis four years
Activities: FFA, National Honor Society, Booster Club
Military: Private Second Class with the U.S. Army Reserve
How did participating in sports help you?
Working as a team and being independent.
What’s your favorite sports memory?
I would say I love all of my memories and lifelong friendships.
Why did you decide to join the military?
First, I love President Donald Trump and his love for the military, and I love our country and it has always been in the back of my mind. I had received the GI Bill, and I am an E-2 right now, and I only need two credits to be an E-3. I am also doing the ROTC program at Purdue University when I start in the spring of 2021.
What does it mean to you to serve your country?
It makes me feel proud.
What does freedom and independence mean to you?
Everything. With out our freedom and independence, there is no America.
Dylan Riggs
High school and graduating year: Seymour, 2007
Sports: Football three years, wrestling two years, track and field four years, cross country one year
Activities: Chess Club, Paintball Club (I’ve played chess since I was roughly 8 years old and played paintball since middle school. I still actively play both.)
Military: Staff sergeant (E-5) and noncommissioned officer in charge of the radiology imaging informatics department at the largest Air Force medical center
How did participating in sports help you?
Playing sports definitely prepared me for teamwork and taught discipline and a big sense of urgency, especially football. Football was definitely the sport you could pass off to being closest to a boot camp you would find in the military, especially our Owls. Football taught me a solid foundation that I took into training with me and made my transition into the military much easier.
What’s your favorite sports memory?
I would not say I have a favorite memory, as each sport offered something that I’ll always take with joy, but I would say the most memorable of high school sports would also be in football where the seniors at the end of the season would burn something of their belongings, such as cleats, gloves, etc. They would talk about the season, their time playing football and the growth and setbacks as an individual. I’m pretty sure each one of us would cry, and it was a very passionate experience I will always remember.
Why did you decide to join the military?
I wanted to join the military since I was very little but wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I did the college thing, but since I was young, I had trouble focusing in school and not doing my best. I didn’t return to school for a second year and started a full-time job and wanted to attend night class. Fast forward about a year and one day, I just randomly called up the recruiter in Clarksville for the Air Force and was like, “I want to join.”
What does it mean to you to serve your country?
Honestly, a higher/greater sense of purpose for more than myself, my family or my town. Everything I do plays a bigger role for our country that can’t be scratched on the surface. In the military, I feel like I’m doing something that benefits missions in some capacity.
What does freedom and independence mean to you?
The Fourth of July is always a big reminder to me that our history has given us the ability to have a world of opportunities, options waiting to be explored and dreams to be actualized. Today, after all, was built on yesterday.
Jacob Stout
High school and graduating year: Trinity Lutheran, 2014
Sports: Baseball four years, football two years
Activities: Choir, theater, Chess Club, National Honor Society
Military: E-4 specialist and signals intelligence analyst with the U.S. Army
How did participating in sports help you?
I learned three main things from sports: Accountability, how to work with a team and how to utilize constructive criticism. These learned skills have greatly increased my success in life after sports and have given me a tremendous amount of confidence when approaching or attempting new things.
What’s your favorite sports memory?
Winning the baseball sectional championship game in 2012. It was a close and intense battle the entire game. Personally, it was a great game for me. If I remember correctly, we won 3-0. I scored two of those three runs and had the first hit of the game. It was without a doubt a defining moment for me in high school.
Why did you decide to join the military?
I joined the military for several reasons. First and foremost, I have always had great respect for the military. The type of work we do along with the values the service instills in you is unparalleled in anything else I have done before. After researching the opportunities, benefits and seeing the strong character of the soldiers at my recruiting station, I knew I wanted to be a part of it all.
What does it mean to you to serve your country?
Serving my country means protecting the people and home I care about. It is a great responsibility being put in the position I am currently in, and I feel as though I have a purpose here. It also means being a part of something bigger than myself. I am proud of the work I do every day. Serving in the Army has given me a greater appreciation for my own life, the lives of those around me and for the privileges we have here in America.
What does freedom and independence mean to you?
Freedom and independence are the freewill to make choices for yourself. It is important we strive for happiness in our own ways.
Lauren Townsend
High school and graduating year: Seymour, 2006
Sports: Soccer two years, diving two years, cross country one year
Activities: Band, Key Club
Military: Sergeant and noncommissioned officer in charge with the California Army National Guard after spending four years active duty with the U.S. Army
How did participating in sports help you?
I’d say it definitely helped prepare me physically for the challenges that the Army has given me. Basic training is rough for anyone who hasn’t done any major fitness until that point. It also prepared me for working as a team. The team-building exercises some coaches had us do may seem like they won’t help you during sports, but some of those exercises directly related to my military training.
What’s your favorite sports memory?
My senior year, I ended up going to semistate for diving. There wasn’t regional, and it was just by a fluke on someone else’s part at sectional that I ended up filling the last spot to regional. Me and my coach had quite a laugh about how I snuck through by 0.65 of a point.
Why did you decide to join the military?
I tried college for a year after high school. It wasn’t for me at the time. During the spring semester, I started looking at my options, and someone suggested the military, so I was talking with recruiters and ended up enlisting and going to basic training in June.
What does it mean to you to serve your country?
I am the type of person that just wants to help everyone, so the fact that I can help millions by filling a position in the Army means the world. Plus, I love the work that I do for the Army.
What does freedom and independence mean to you?
Being able to allow people to make choices. If we didn’t have the military we have today, the amount of choices we are afforded would be extremely limited. The fact that 200-plus years ago people had the courage to say, "That’s not right" and fight for what they believe in, I do my best to make sure no one comes and tries to tell us we can’t have that.