A pair of Hays High seniors made their collegiate choices official on Wednesday by signing with their respective schools.
Anybody that has ever seen Riley Dreher play softball can see the joy the sport brings her. That same emotion is found off the field as well. "Every night I can hit and it never gets old."
On Wednesday, Dreher inked a letter to play softball at Hutchinson Community College. The three year starter heads into her senior season as one of the best offensive weapons in program history.
Riley Dreher
She hit .452 (38-84) her junior year and is a .478 (111-232) career hitter. As a freshmen Dreher collected 36 hits while batting .462. During her sophomore season she batted .521 with 37 hits.
Dreher has 48 extra base hits in her career out of 111 total hits.
This past season she led the team in hits (38), batting average (.452), doubles (9), triples (8), home runs (3), and runs batted in (33.) She struck out just twice in 84 at-bats.
Coach Abby Gillan
Dreher is also part of the state ranked girls basketball team where she has been a two year varsity player.
Hays High graduate Aubree Thomas is a member of the Blue Dragons.
Dreher has also pitched for the Indians throwing 168.2 innings covering 34 career appearances and 29 starts. She will likely be leaned on heavily for the 2025 spring season.
"Doing it for him, really." Dani Willeford has long enjoyed the sport of soccer. The game runs deep through her family. "I love it because my grandpa did it and brought it to the family."
Willeford made her decision to take the next step to the collegiate level by signing with Kansas City Community College on Wednesday.
Dani Willeford
Hays High girls soccer coach Tyler Rueschoff says Willeford can play any where on the field and be confident. She's also vocal in an era when it can be tough for kids to find their voice among their peers. She also rarely gets tired, moving to positions other positions through out the field to help give teammates a breather.
Tyler Rueschoff
This past spring Willeford focused on club soccer while play for the Hays High softball team. She made an immediate impact.
Willeford hit safely in 20 of the last 23 games and recorded a hit in all but three contests. She batted .373 (31-83) while playing second base for the Indians. Willeford stole a team high 11 bases.