Recent Warrenton graduate Evie Rhama has signed her college letter of intent to run track at Missouri S&T.  

Over the years, Rhama had been hesitant on whether or not she would run track at the collegiate level due to the high demands of college academics. It was not until her last meet at districts, that she decided her career was not over just yet. 

“After my district meet, I realized I didn’t want that to be my last meet, so I emailed the track coach and a week later, he emailed me back and told me he wanted to meet,” Rhama said. 

Rhama has run track since seventh grade and ran for the Warriors for three years. During her high school career, she has participated in several events, including the 4x100 relay race, the 4x200 relay race, the long jump and the 100 meter. 

Rhama said that her favorite event is the 100 meter, but she also really enjoys the long jump. 

“She’s a well rounded sprinter,” Warrenton Track and Field Head Coach Mark Thomas said. “We knew that she was going to come out and compete and work hard in practice everyday. That’s what made her special and really special to the rest of the coaching staff and her teammates.”

Rhama had talked to other coaches and received an offer from Central Methodist University, but knew that Missouri S&T was where she wanted to go, especially for academics.

She plans on majoring in civil and architectural engineering.

“I didn’t really want to go anywhere else,” Rhama said.

Thomas had high praise for the incoming college freshman, stating that she is a leader and grew immensely over the years.

“Early on, she let the nerves get the better of her a little bit,” Thomas said. “Then that confidence really increased and since then she believes in herself more and that allows her to go out and compete at her best.” 

Thomas mentioned that Rhama took a lot of the underclassmen under her wing and led them through warm-ups before events, making sure they were properly ready for their event.

“She became a leader and encouraged other kids to keep going, telling them to get to practice and do things that needed to get done,” Thomas said.

Rhama credits Thomas and her coaches for a lot of the growth she has had as an athlete.

“My coaches did get me really far, [Mark] Thomas got me far and pushed me and I want to thank him,” Rhama said.

When asked what advice Thomas had for Rhama as she heads into college, he responded with, “Be good with time management and don’t lose who you are. Keep that happy personality and work hard everyday, it will take you a long way.”

Rhama is looking forward to her next step in life. She is most excited to meet new people, have a new team, watch how much she can grow and see how different it will be from Warrenton.

“She’ll be missed by the program,” Thomas said. “I know a lot of the kids and coaching staff will miss her, she was enjoyable to be around.”