For nine months, El Reagan enjoyed her first taste of college life at William Woods University.

The Montgomery County graduate was one of the top performers of the school’s track team, was a straight-A student and was a member of a sorority. Outside of school, she worked as an assistant coach at North Callaway High School.

“College is a big step, but it was a very good step for me,” Reagan said.

Now, Reagan is already excited to return for another year at the Fulton school. Her first week of classes starts in August.

“I’m ready to move back now,” Reagan said. “I miss my friends.”

Reagan turned in a successful track career at MCHS, earning all-state honors in the pole vault four times, including a state championship in her sophomore year, and holding the school record in the event.

In her freshman year at William Woods, Reagan picked up right where she left off from MCHS. She had seven top-four finishes in the pole vault during the indoor and outdoor seasons and broke a school record in the event during the indoor season.

At the Washburn Open on Jan. 31 at Topeka, Kan., Reagan vaulted 10 feet to break the old mark of 9-11¼ that was set by Abagayle Bartlett in 2017. She finished fourth in the event.

Reagan picked up a victory in the pole vault at the Coach Alsup Invite on Jan. 18 at Northwest Missouri State. She was also an all-conference performer in the event as she placed second at the American Midwest Conference indoor and outdoor championship meets.

Reagan also competed in the high jump for the Owls. Her best effort was a 4-7¾ at the Mel Tjeerdsma Classic on Dec. 7 at Northwest Missouri State, her first collegiate track meet.
Reagan said she was pleased with her efforts despite the fact that the team doesn’t have a track. She practiced at Fulton and North Callaway high schools.

“Basically, I practice whenever I can wherever I can,” Reagan said. “It’s not bad for not having a place to practice at. I can’t complain too much.”

Reagan was one of 16 freshmen on the William Woods women’s track roster for the 2024-25 season. She said she found out that competing in track in college is much different than high school.

“You have to make sure that you’re keeping yourself accountable,” Reagan said. “We have coaches who tell us when practice is and where to be, but it’s up to you to push yourself. They’ll cheer you on, but they’re not going to stand there and tell you that you need to run this.”

Reagan was named on the Dean’s List in both fall and spring semesters at William Woods. She finished with a 4.0 grade point average.

“To get A’s in college is hard,” Reagan said. “Usually, if you do just good work in high school, you would get As and stuff. But in college, you have to go above and beyond to get that A in the class.”

Reagan is majoring in elementary education. She plans to be a teacher after she graduates from William Woods.

“That motivates me to do my school work because I love being in the classroom,” said Reagan, who is a member of the Chi Omega sorority at WWU. “That’s what pushes me.”

In March, Reagan was hired to coach the pole vaulters at North Callaway. Her best moment in her first year as coach was seeing one of her pole vaulters, Madyson Gordon, win the Eastern Missouri Conference championship.
“I want them to feel free to make mistakes and learn and know that I have been in their shoes before,” Reagan said. “I know how frustrating it could be to know the bar off seven times. Their last coach had a little bit of a different coaching style than I do. So they’re kind of grateful to have somebody who can stand there and tell them to take a breath when they’re frustrated instead of keep going.”
Reagan said she credits her roommate and teammate Amy Schreck -- also a freshman -- for helping her manage her busy schedule at William Woods.
“She definitely helps me,” Reagan said. “If I need help and if we’re in the same class, we can kind of work together to figure things out.”
Reagan graduated from MCHS in 2024. Recently, the school created a banner at Jim Blacklock Field to honor her state championship in the pole vault in 2022.
“I’m very grateful that they’re recognizing me for my accomplishments,” Reagan said.