The Next Level: Graduated athlete roundup (March 21)

Many athletes who spent their high school years in Fayette County have moved on to play for college or professional teams. Below are the athletes who recently made headlines.

Jessica Earnest • Senior • Vanderbilt

•Earnest, a Vandalia graduate, had a strong individual performance in her final regular-season college event to help Vanderbilt to a third-place finish in the Columbia 300 Music City Classic. She had a 215.2 average to place eighth among individuals in the event, and her high game of 278 was the second-highest single-game total in the tournament. It is expected that Vanderbilt will return to the eight-team NCAA Championships in Detroit from April 11-13.

Whitney Newsom • Soph. • Greenville

•March 16 – Newsom, a Vandalia graduate, helped Greenville sweep a doubleheader against Culver-Stockton. In a 4-3 win, Newsom was 1-for-2, with a walk, and in an 8-4 win, Newsom was 0-for-2, with a walk. Greenville is 2-4 on the season.
•March 15 – Newsom had a strong day, but Greenville lost both games of a doubleheader to York (Neb.). In a 14-4 loss, Newsom was 1-for-3, with a run, and in a 9-5 loss, Newsom was 2-for-4, with a double, RBI and run.

Dathan Berning • Freshman • Greenville

•Berning, a Vandalia graduate, has seen reserve action in three games for Greenville this spring. He is 0-for-1, with a run scored for the Panthers (3-5).