Tough decisions lie ahead for NCAA spring athletes.
The NCAA has granted seniors the option of an extra year of eligibility for next season after this season’s cancellation due to COVID-19. Colorado Mesa University (CMU) seniors have been forced into a tough decision to stay or go.
The difficult part for the seniors is most didn’t expect to be in this situation and most had planned to play sports and attend college for only four years. Most of them haven’t come to a final decision to stay or go, but most are leaning in certain directions due to their drive to play, academic scenario and financial situation.
Athletes will always want to go out and play for their teammates and they cherish the moments with them, but finances will play a big part in this decision for the athletes.
Trevin Reynolds-Outfielder/Pitcher
Reynolds has played all four seasons as a Maverick and hopes to make it one more.
The Las Vegas native has a .265 batting average with 39 hits in his four-year career as a Maverick. He has six home runs with 34 runs batted in (RBI). He got up to bat eight times with three hits this season.
The bulk of his work came on the mound, pitching 27.2 innings and registering three wins this season. Reynolds pitched a career-high nine innings against Regis University striking out 13 batters to get his team a 5-0 win on March 6, 2020.
Opponents have a .238 batting average against Reynolds as he has faced 430 batters through four seasons. He has pitched 100.1 innings while allowing 3.77 earned runs (ERA) over his career as a Maverick.
Reynolds is a three-time Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Tournament Champion and played in the NCAA Regionals or beyond in each season of his career.
“I feel like if I were to leave the last year like this, I think I would regret it in a way because of the team, these are my guys, and I do want to come back, and I want to finish the season strong. I definitely don’t want to end it on a runner-up in Cary,” Reynolds said.
Brooke Doumer- Utility
Doumer has been excellent throughout her career for the CMU Softball Team and is leaning towards accepting the extra year of eligibility.
She transferred from Western Nebraska Community College to CMU and made her mark immediately. Doumer has missed one game in her Maverick career since joining the team in 2019 as she has compiled 91 hits and 45 RBIs wearing a CMU uniform. She was third on the team in hits with 62 along with 32 RBIs in her first season as a Maverick.
The CO. Native had a .420 batting average and was second in the team in hits with 29 this season. She compiled four doubles and two home runs this season helping lead her team to a 16-6 record before the season got cut short.
Doumer was put on the 2019 First-Team All-RMAC team and was also placed on the 2019 Second Team All-South-Central Region team.
“Although I have not made a final decision, I do know that I never want to have regrets in life, and definitely did not want my senior year to get cut short,” Doumer said. “I’m leaning towards coming back and playing a fifth year, due to the love of the game, for my teammates, and to help our team win its fifth consecutive RMAC title and to compete for a national championship.”
Joe Wulforst IV- Attackman/Midfielder
Wulforst’s career as a Mavericks for the CMU Men’s Lacross Team is most likely over after the cancellation of the 2020 season. Wulforst is set to graduate after this semester with a Construction Management degree with two potential jobs that he is considering after graduation.
“I haven’t fully made a decision, I’m definitely leaning on not taking, just financially wise. In my case, it’s just paying to play lacrosse, and in my scenario, a minor or masters won’t really help me out in any pay gap or job opportunity,” Wulforst said.
He will end his career sixth on the all-time points list with 93 and eighth in the single-season points record book with 48 in his junior campaign. Wulforst scored a career-high four goals his junior year against Colorado State University-Pueblo.
He was fourth on the team in points with 15 helping lead his team to a 7-0 record before the cancellation. Wulforst scored nine points and had a goal and three assists in two of his final three games.
His 5-foot 11-inch, 170-pound frame allows him to play midfield and attack making him a dynamic threat on the offensive end. He compiled 57 goals and 36 assists over his four-year career as a Maverick.
Wulforst was a two-time RMAC Regular Season and Tournament Champion and was voted onto the Second-Team All-RMAC team.
