MSHS Athletes Commit to College Sports

Photo courtesy of Mahlia Glass

Sports are a well loved and valued aspect of many students’ lives at Manitou Springs High School. Like other activities, sports have a common goal of teamwork, competition, and support. The games and competitions signify more than just that, however. Playing a sport, whether it be volleyball, basketball, soccer, swimming, or track events, requires a high level of passion, consideration, and desire for more. Playing a collegiate sport accomplishes all of these aspects. The senior class of 2021 has seven athletes who have committed to participate at the collegiate level: Joah Armour and Isaiah Thomas (basketball), Mahlia Glass (volleyball), Lindsey Dwinell and Bella Kuzbek (swimming), Spencer McCumber (soccer), and Heido Martin (cycling).

Joah Armour and Isaiah Thomas will both play basketball for Nebraska Wesleyan University in Omaha, Nebraska next year. Armour is a talented basketball player at MSHS who wants to continue to play in college because he “just likes playing [basketball].” Although he is not sure what he is majoring in yet, Armour is looking forward to his experiences playing basketball for Nebraska Wesleyan. Isaiah Thomas has also committed to playing basketball and attending Nebraska Wesleyan. Thomas is interested in studying sports medicine because of his experiences with playing sports throughout high school. Thomas is so excited for his time playing for Wesleyan and hopes to achieve his goals doing so. Mahlia Glass has signed to play volleyball at Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas. Glass has been a star athlete throughout middle school and high school in Manitou Springs, and she is very proud of all her hard work and determination. Friends, family and coaches have made a lasting impact on her. Glass states that being confident has supported her when reaching her goals, and has from a young age. Congratulations to Mahlia Glass and her signing to play volleyball for Butler Community College!

Spencer McCumber is also a high performing athlete. McCumber plays soccer as a goalkeeper and will be attending Marion University in Indianapolis, Indiana. After many years of playing for the Manitou boys’ team, as well as playing for PRIDE Soccer Club, McCumber says his biggest motivators are his parents and coaches. McCumber is looking forward to meeting new teammates and making lasting friendships during his time at Marion University.

Lindsey Dwinell has signed to participate in swimming for Ottawa University in Surprise, Arizona. She has been working so hard to meet her goal of swimming in college. Dwinell has been so positively impacted by improving herself and other teammates. These have helped her persevere through some of her struggles and made the best memories. She has been on the Swimming and Diving team for Manitou throughout high school and has had an amazing experience with that. Dwinell is looking forward to new challenges and improving herself in college, both learning academically and in the water. Like Dwinell, Bella Kuzbek will be swimming for a college team. Kuzbek is a current record holder for Manitou’s Swimming and Diving team, and has been swimming most of her life. Kuzbek has been motivated mostly by her amazing coaches and how they have helped her love swimming. Her goals moving forward are to improve herself and be a stronger athlete and new experiences. Congratulations to Bella Kuzbek for an amazing season and good luck in future swimming at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island!

Finally, world class cyclist, Heidi Martin. Martin has signed to cycle for Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina. She has been training hard on her road bike, but she also has participated on the Manitou Mountain Monsters team for a few years. Being a well thought of student and being involved in many extracurricular activities, Martin is most inspired by her friends and coaches she has gained along the way. She is so excited for cycling in the next few years.

Manitou Springs High School is so proud of these student athletes and all their hard work. Congratulations to Joah, Isaiah, Mahlia, Spencer, Lindsey, Bella, and Heidi. Good luck and we can’t wait to see your successes!