River Lakey makes a choice for college

BY STEVE SMITH FOR COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

e axiom “better late than never” certainly applies to Frederick High School football player River Lakey.

“I heard of coach (Jed) Stutgart and Lindenwood (Lindenwood University) from my recruiter and coaches,” Lakey said. “When I heard about how coach was trying to get me there – even with some recruiting issues because it was so late in the process – I already felt like this was my family.”

Lakey is due to sign his letter of

Previous research has found that Native American women in Colorado are almost ve times more likely than other women to die in pregnancy or in the year following a intent for the St. Charles, Mo. school next month.

“Once I took a visit to the school, the family and brotherhood environment from the team was huge,” Lakey said. “And to be honest, that’s what sealed the deal.”

Frederick’s Golden Eagles went 8-4 in the fall and advanced to the second round of the state 3A playo s. In 11 games, Lakey caught seven passes for 43 yards and ran the ball 108 times for 855 yards. He scored 13 rushing touchdowns. Lakey drew some interest from schools as both a running back and birth. a defensive back.

Pia Long, with the reproductive justice organization Elephant Circle, said that eliminating racial inequity in maternal health care will require a system in which people can choose how and where to give birth.

“ at’s what equity looks like, is birth choice and reproductive choice,” she said.

Distance from home was not a factor.

“Not really,” he said. “I was just looking for a spot to ball out at and make a di erence – didn’t really matter what state I was In.” e pandemic, which interrupted a lot of football players’ seasons and recruiting chances, wasn’t as big a factor for Lakey.

“What I would say, though, is the transfer portal (student-athletes can place their name in an online database to show their desire to transfer) my recruiting,” he said. “Bo colleges

Colorado’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee has not yet released data from 2020, but health o cials suspect that the maternal death rate worsened during the early days of the COVID pandemic the same way it did nationwide. e increase was due to COVID infection, as well as delays in seeking health care, and mental health and substance abuse wanted to pick up a kid out of high school, especially because running backs are a dime a dozen.”

Lakey wants to study sports science. His future goals include a stint in the NFL or furthering his education in medical science.

“Nothing has me scared, really,” Lakey said. “I know that this was a blessing, so all I feel right now is ambition and ready to work. To all of my high-school ballers coming out of Colorado, never give up on your dream to play college ball. Keep advocating for yourself, and stay coachable.” issues brought on by social isolation. is story is from e Colorado Sun, a journalist-owned news outlet based in Denver and covering the state. For more, and to support e Colorado Sun, visit coloradosun. com. e Colorado Sun is a partner in the Colorado News Conservancy, owner of Colorado Community Media.