On Feb. 1, seven Dripping Springs High School seniors announced their commitments to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. Peyton Hall and Kaylen Morrison will continue their basketball careers at Hendrix College (Conway, Ark.) and the University of Texas at Dallas, respectively, while volleyball player Maya Clausen is headed to Southwestern University in Georgetown.
Tiger senior Alyssa Schroeder will compete in track and cross country at Abilene Christian University.
In football, offensive linemen Seth Crumley and Carson Ikels are both headed to Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene and defensive lineman McKenley O’Neal will play at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Combined with the student-athletes who announced their commitments in November, this brings the total number of Dripping Springs High seniors continuing their athletic careers in college to 14.
Maya Clausen – Volleyball – Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX
A co-captain in 2016, Maya was named to the All-District 26-5A First Team and the Hays Free Press First Team. As a right-side hitter, she helped lead the Tigers to a district title and undefeated district record in 2016, as well as the 2015 state 5A title. She was named to the Academic All-State Team and earned academic all-district honors as both a junior and senior. She was chosen as a National Hispanic Scholar this year, is historian of the National Honor Society, and last year was co-president of the Spanish Honor Society. Maya also has played club volleyball for six years, has made three trips to the National Junior Championships. The daughter of Frances and Mark Clausen, she plans to major in psychology at Southwestern. Coach: Michael Kane.
Seth Crumley – Football – Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX
Offensive lineman Seth Crumley has started for the Tigers each of the past two years, including the 2016 season that saw DSHS advance further in the playoffs than any year in school history. He has played at both right and left tackle, lettering three years for the Tigers. As a senior, Seth was a unanimous selection to the District 26-5A First Team. He is active in his church youth group and volunteers to work with Functional Academic students during their physical education time. The son of Marsha and Ronald Crumley, he was chosen as the team’s Offensive Lineman of the Week six times last fall. Seth plans to major in nursing at Hardin-Simmons. Coach: Galen Zimmerman.
Peyton Hall – Basketball – Hendrix College, Conway, AK
A two-sport athlete at DSHS, Peyton has lettered in both basketball (as a forward) and track. She excels both athletically and academically, earning an Academic Excellence Award. In track, she has thrown the shot and discus for three years, and plans to continue to do so this spring. As a junior varsity basketball player, she led her team to an undefeated season. Peyton started the DSHS Athletic Council, a student organization that meets with the athletic director, supports all Tiger sports, and seeks volunteer opportunities with local youth sports programs. She also is a member of the National Honor Society. The daughter of Anne Elizabeth and Brian Hall, Peyton plans to major in either pre-law or sports management. Coach: Laura Joiner
Carson Ikels – Football – Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX
A three-year letterman, Carson was a unanimous selection to the 2016 All-District 26-5A First Team after receiving honorable mention as a junior. This fall he also earned a spot on the Academic All-State Team, served as a team captain, and was a member of the Athletic Leadership Council. As the starting center, Carson played a key role in the Tigers’ deep playoff run and 12-2 record. He was honored with the team’s “Discipline” Award. Carson was a member of the varsity track and power lifting teams as a junior. He currently serves as a peer tutor – working primarily with students in the Functional Academics program – and is a sales associate at the DSHS Tiger Shack. The son of Cassie and Wade Ikels, he plans to study Business/Finance. Coach: Galen Zimmerman
Kaylen Morrison – Basketball – University of Texas, Dallas, TX
Kaylen is a three-year letterman and two-year starter at guard for the Lady Tigers. As a junior, Kaylen was named to the All-District Second Team and was the team’s Offensive MVP. She has earned a spot on the District All-Academic Team for three seasons. A team captain this season, she leads DSHS in three-point and free-throw shooting (82 percent from the line). An outstanding student, Kaylen ranks among the top 5 percent of her class, earned an Academic Excellence Award, and is a member of the National Honor Society. She also was a member of the Tiger Band and drumline as a freshman. The daughter of Garnard Morrison and Pamela Chisholm, she plans to major in Biomedical Engineering at UTD. Coach: Laura Joiner.
McKenley O’Neal – Football – Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
McKenley O’Neal has been a three-year starter and letterman for the Tiger football team, helping lead this year’s squad to a 12-2 record and deep playoff run As both a junior and senior, the defensive end earned a spot on the All-District First Team after earning second-team honors his sophomore season. Last fall he was selected by district coaches as the District 26-5A Most Valuable Defensive Player. MaxPreps also named McKenley as its 2016 Most Valuable Player in the district and the Player of the Week in four games. This season he recorded 124 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, two caused fumbles, and 17 quarterback hurries. McKenley also played basketball for three years, earning a spot on the All-District Second Team last season after receiving honorable mention as a sophomore. The son of Jena and Daryl O’Neal, he plans to major in Business. Coach: Galen Zimmerman.
Alyssa Schroeder – Cross Country/Track – Abilene Christian University, Abilene, TX
A four-year letterwinner in both cross country and track for the Tigers, Alyssa was the District 25-5A Champion in cross country as a sophomore. In fact, she was both a regional and state cross country qualifier in each of the past three years, and placed fourth in the state in the fall of 2015. In track, Alyssa was a regional qualifier in the 3,200 Meters. The daughter of Denise and Scott Schroeder, Alyssa has served as team captain this year for both sports. She plans to study Elementary Education at Abilene Christian University. Coach: Marisa Parks.
