After four years, El Reagan is enjoying an outstanding high school track career at Montgomery County High School that includes 21 victories in the pole vault, three trips to the state meet and one state championship.

Next year, the MCHS senior will look to carry that success to the next level. And she’s not going to travel far to do it.

On the afternoon of April 11, Reagan signed a letter of intent to compete in track and field at William Woods University in Fulton. She will join a track program that had an indoor All-American in the 5,000-meter run this year and recently had a state qualifier in the distance events in the outdoor season.

“There were a lot of things that went into my decision,” Reagan said. “I really like the coaches there and the atmosphere. I like the school as a whole and they have a really good elementary education program, which I am going to go for (a degree). All of those factors combined drew me to William Woods.”

Reagan made her decision to go to William Woods during the winter. She said she was relieved when she finalized her college plans.

“It was pretty stressful, but I tried to remind myself that I am very fortunate to be in a position to be stressed about something like that,” Reagan said. “I am very lucky to have the opportunity to be a college athlete. Just knowing that kept me from being too overwhelmed.”

Reagan has been a valuable athlete for the Wildcats since she joined the team in her freshman year. She holds the school record mark in the pole vault in 10 feet, 8.75 inches that she set at the sectional meet last year.

Reagan said competing in track at college was not one of her goals when she joined the Wildcats in the 2021 season. She participated in gymnastics for four years before enrolling at MCHS.

“When I quit gymnastics, I didn’t think there was any chance of me being a college athlete,” Reagan said. “I spent a lot of time doing gymnastics, then it was like, ‘Oh.’ You have to start something new. It’s always hard. So I feel very lucky that I get to have this opportunity.”

Reagan’s chances of competing in track at college increased after winning the state title in the pole vault in her sophomore year.

“I always had it in the back of my mind that I could do it, I will do it,” Reagan said. “If I could get a scholarship to go somewhere, I would do it. After state, things started picking up, especially during my junior year because that’s when colleges start talking to you.”

This year, Reagan is off to another outstanding start, getting four first-place finishes in the pole vault. She also competed in the sprint and hurdle events.

“It’s going alright,” Reagan said. “I definitely keep striving to be better than what I’m at. I’m also trying to be better at contributing to the team with conference coming up. I want to make sure that we score as many points as possible, so (MCHS track coach Stephanie) Finke has been putting me in different things and trying me out. Pole vault is my main event and I love pole vault. It’s my favorite event, but I also want to contribute for conference as well.”

William Woods coach Dan Schwab said he is happy that his team is getting someone who is strong in the field events as well as the classroom.

“Being at the height she cleared so far in the pole vault and her academics being so high, I think the transition (to college) will be real easy for her,” Schwab said.

Reagan said she was thrilled with her family support at the signing. A total of 12 family members were in attendance.

“My family is my biggest support system,” Reagan said. “Anything I do, they’re always the first ones there. They’re my biggest cheerleaders. All of the kids come out and watch.”

Reagan will become just the second person in her family to attend William Woods. Her grandmother, Esther, graduated from the Fulton school in the 1970s and went on to work as a teacher. On the day of the signing, Reagan received a green and gold William Woods jacket that was worn by her grandmother.

“She’s very excited when I told her that I was going to go there,” the senior said.

Reagan has already set big goals for herself at William Woods, which is just 35 minutes away from her home in High Hill.

“Obviously, it will be really cool to be an All-American,” Reagan said. “I feel like that’s everybody’s dream when they go to college. I just really want to be able to be a contribution to the team and make sure that all of us can succeed and accomplish goals that they set for not only me, but the team, too.”