MORGANTOWN — Trinity Christian seniors Kaylie Laskody and Mark Spruill will undergo a drastic change — as do many high school graduates — as they head to college this fall to continue their athletic careers. They won’t be completely alone in their new environment, however, as they both signed their letters of intent Tuesday to attend Alderson Broaddus in Philippi.
“I think it’ll be really cool. I’ll have someone at all times I can text and say, ‘This is what’s going on, do you want to meet up,’ ” Spruill said. “It’ll be a good thing to fall back on, having someone you know.”
For Laskody and Spruill, their opportunities at ABU won’t mark just the next chapter of their athletic careers, but their friendship, as well. Spruill was one of the students that helped Laskody adjust to the change of her transferring to Trinity and they have remained close ever since. Now, they get to tackle a new environment together.
“When I transferred to Trinity my sophomore year, Mark was one of my first friends I made, and we’ve gotten closer over the past few years. Being able to go to college with a close friend will be a good experience,” she said.
The Philippi-Spruill connection
If you’ve spent a considerable amount of time on the ABU campus in the last few decades, you may recognize the last name Spruill — the family is quite familiar with the school.
Michelle Spruill, Mark’s mother, graduated from ABU in 1992, with his cousins Jaclyn Smith and Jessica Spruill also earning degrees at the school; the latter also served as an English professor in recent years.
“I think it’s really cool and it adds to the experience. I get a chance to continue the Spruill legacy in Philippi, and it’s special to me — I’ve never had a chance to continue the family’s name like that,” he said.
Spruill, who will join the Battlers’ golf program under coach Sam Stark, spent much time growing up on campus and being exposed to the community at the university, which made the choice a no-brainer in the end.
“It’s a dream come true to sign, and I can’t think of a better place. I’ve had AB hats and towels and shirts around the house as long as I can remember, and there’s not another place I’d want to continue my athletic career,” he said.
A function of education
School has always played an important role in Kaylie Laskody’s life. In recent years, so has track and field.
Luckily for Laskody, who wanted to continue her career on the track after high school, she found a collegiate program that values performance in the classroom as much as she does at ABU.
“They just know how to connect with their athletes and to make sure they will do well in the classroom. They’re committed to making sure their athlete’s are good students,” she said.
