Fayette High School track star Browyn Eubanks signed her national letter of intent to help kickstart the new track program at North Central Missouri College in Trenton next year. The gold-medalist hurdler made the commitment before family, friends, teammates, and coaches at a ceremony held on Thursday, Nov. 11.

Eubanks has become a fixture of the Class 2 state track meet in Jefferson City, medaling in each of her first three years. As a sophomore, she won the gold medal in the 300-meter hurdles. She has also won multiple state medals in the 100-meter hurdles, the high jump, and the 100-meter dash, as well as claiming numerous medals at meets through her first three years competing for the Lady Falcons.

“It’s exciting. I’m also really excited to meet new people, and have [NCMC] Coach Taylor push me to my ability,” Eubanks said. “I think it’ll be a challenge, but I’m ready to take on any challenge. Whatever she thinks I’m ready for, I’m willing to take on.”

Eubanks is the third of three returning seniors to commit to college programs in the last two weeks. On Dec. 9, Chloe Bier signed with Columbia College. Six days before that, Payton Kindle inked with State Fair Community College in Sedalia.

“That’s one of the most exciting things I’ve ever experienced as a coach,” said Fayette coach Stacy Menees about three athletes signing this year. “They work hard. They’ve bought it in. And they found a love for track. And when you love something, you exceed at it even more.”

Coincidentally, Eubanks and Kindle, both state medalist hurdlers, will compete against one another next season, as both NCMC and SFCC are in the same conference.

“She’s really good, and I’m really proud of her,” said Eubanks about the opportunity to compete against her longtime teammate. “It’ll be a change, because that group of girls graduating with me, we grew up with each other.”

Eubanks said she chose NCMC, a Division I Junior College, over NCAA DI offers because she wanted to remain closer to home. Trenton is a two-hour trip, while other offers came from out of state. A junior college will also serve as a stepping stone on the way to a potential DI college career.

“My mom and I are really close. Two hours compared to six hours is a lot closer,” Eubanks said. “I also wanted to dip my toe in the water before I made a huge commitment to DI, even though I had the opportunities. I wasn’t comfortable enough to make that huge jump.”

For NCMC coach Taylor Francis, landing Eubanks on next year’s roster is an enormous win. The school just launched its track & field and cross-country programs this year. Eubanks will arrive for the Lady Pirates’ second season.

“She’s going to be a huge asset to building our program,” Francis said. “When she gets there, we will still be building the program. With her coming in, she will make a huge impact on future Pirates, and for her getting out to the next level. Going to a junior college will get her ready for that four-year level and get her ready for those bigger schools.”

In just three years of high school, Eubanks has already met national standards at the college level. “She’s a phenomenal athlete,” Francis said.

While many high school track athletes are sought for their success in one or two events, Francis said she recruited Eubanks for all of her events, including short and long hurdles, sprints, and the high jump.

“She will run anywhere from the 60-meter indoor hurdles to the 400-meter outdoor hurdles. If I’m training her for the 400-meter hurdles, she may run the 600,” Francis explained. “Her big thing is running the long hurdles and the short hurdles and the short sprints and high jump.”

And while Eubanks is known for dominating in the hurdles, she said she looks forward to continuing high jump competition in college. “Even in middle school, I did high jump. So I hope I can continue with that. I’m most looking forward to high jump,” she said.

Even with all three returning seniors preparing for college competition next fall, they still have a full season of high school track in the spring. The Lady Falcons won third place as a team at the Class 2 state meet in May. Coach Menees said she and the team have high aims for this season.

For Eubanks, reclaiming the gold medal in the 300-meter hurdles is a personal goal. She won the event with a time of 45.28 as a sophomore, but struggled in her medal defense last season, finishing fourth overall with a time of 47.41.

“I want to take back that first place,” Eubanks said. “I think a lot of the things last year were me trying to find my self-worth. Being easier on myself, and not so hard on myself all the time, will be the biggest goal.”

She medaled in three of the four events she took to state last year. And Coach Menees suggested a change in strategy this season could make a difference this season. “Last year, she was a little bit fatigued. We need to figure out how to manage those long two days. We got there early, and she jumped at 9 a.m., then had to run later that afternoon. That’s a long day.

“There are seven or eight events I could throw her into at any time. Last year, she jumped into the 4x400-meter relay, and they set a school record at districts. We may look at her running the 200 again. We’ll make that decision based on what’s best for the team and what’s best for her.”

The Fayette girls open track season on March 20 with a meet at Westran. In the meantime, Eubanks is staying in shape on the basketball court. She said she is excited about the opportunity to compete at the next level and thanked family, coaches, and teammates. “I want to thank coaches Menees, and Spencer, and Weatherman for pushing me. Spencer has always been a big cheerleader. My mom for making it to every single track meet that she can. I want to thank Coach Taylor for seeing me and giving me this opportunity.”