Two Knoxville Athletes have announced their college intentions to play at the next level. Jayden Streigle who is playing tennis this spring will trade the racket for a bat and ball this summer and continue that career in college at Northwest Missouri State University. Streigle recently signed her National Letter of Intent and tells KNIA/KRLS Sports the direction of the Bearcat program and her comfort level with everyone there made her decision easy.

Streigle: “I’m very excited. I’ve heard a lot of great stories about the team and everyone there was willing to work with me and made me feel comfortable.”

Streigle was a part of a pitching staff for the Panthers last summer that had a 1.25 ERA and a .182 batting average. She led the Panthers in ERA at .98 in 35 2/3 innings. Streigle will be the lone senior on the Panthers pitching staff this summer. Another Panther athlete that will play on the next level will not have to go far to continue her career. Taylor Jones will head across the river to Central College to play soccer and join the triathlon program. Jones tells KNIA/KRLS Sports her decision was based on not wanting to venture too far from home and the chance to play on an up and coming program.

Jones: “Personally for me I didn’t want to go too far from home. I love the coaches and the team, and I’m also joining the triathlon team, so we’ll see how that goes, but it just felt like home to me.”

Jones is the second Knoxville athlete to join the Central College Triathlon program joining Alex Griggs, who is finishing her career this year. Jones led the Panthers last season with 13 goals and already has two goals this season. Jones has not officially signed but announced her commitment earlier this year.