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Sears to continue career at Vincennes University
Linton-Stockton High School senior track and field standout Aubrey Sears has signed a letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic career next season at Vincennes University. The school record holder in the shot put signed with the Trailblazers at the North Daviess Invitational April 18.
"I am very excited to have the opportunity to compete in the shot put next season at VU," Sears said. "They have a respectable program there and I expect to be able to step in and contribute to the success. Right now looking at their depth, I expect to be somewhere in the middle."
According to Trailblazers head coach Chris Gafner, Sears will also be competing in the discus and be introduced to the hammer throw, which is not an event at the high school level.
"We expect Aubrey to step in and help with the growth of our program," Gafner said. "She will mainly be one of our throwers in the discus and shot put, and we will also introduce her to the hammer throw next year."
Sears marks the first athlete that first year Linton-Stockton head coach Britney Lynn has experienced the signing process.
"This is my first signing as a coach," Lynn said. "I am thrilled that Aubrey has signed with VU. I know that their program can take her potential and talent even further than what she has demonstrated here."
Even though the senior holds the school record in the shot put, her high school coach says that with proper form she could gain even more distance on her throws.
"Right now she is throwing 36 feet and she doesn't even spin (finish her throw). She basically just uses a power throw," Lynn said. "With improvement on her technique should result in huge throws from her."
In addition to the shot put Sears has also competed in the 100 meters and been apart of the 400 relay team.
"Not only is she strong, she is also very quick," Lynn said. "I can't wait to see what she can do when she gets more intense, expert coaching."
As far as the academic side, Sears mentioned that she plans on taking here core classes next year at VU, and then moving on into the nursing program starting her sophomore year.
A humble Sears said that she did not realize that competing at the next level was an option until the coaching staff at VU informed her of the scholarship offer.
"I was really surprised when they showed up at North Daviess," Sears said. "I didn't really give it much thought until they contacted me."
Her next coach mentioned that his coaching staff noticed her last season.
"We really started looking at her during her junior season," Gafner said. "She is an accomplished thrower at Linton and she has continued to improve throughout her career. We are looking forward to having her as part of our program."
"Aubrey is definitely an athlete that will be hard to replace," Sears' high school coach said.
After winning the Greene County Invitational in the shot put with a throw of 36-4 1/2, which was over six feet better than the second place thrower, Sears noted that before she graduated she would like to break her own school mark at least one more time.
She will have the chance at the Tri-River Conference meet Friday and the Southwestern Indiana Athletic Conference meet May 9. Sears and her Lady Miner teammates will compete at the Terre Haute North Sectional May 13.