By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
SAVANNAH - Savannah High School saw a pair of female student-athletes sign their national letters of intent for collegiate sports this week.
On Thursday, senior swimmer Makenzie Kurre signed her NLI to continue her swimming career at Division I Missouri State in Springfield.
Kurre, owner of multiple state medals already, including three gold medals, is also a state record holder in the 100-yard freestyle, winning that event this past February with a time of 51.38 seconds.
She also won state this past year in the 200 freestyle with a time of 1:52.79. When she had a chance to visit Missouri State, she knew it was a place she'd want to go.
"I really had a fun time with the team," Kurre said. "We've always had great chemistry and it's been a fun experience to swim other girls. On some of my competitive teams, there aren't many girls."
Kurre was also on a 200-yard freestyle relay team with Lana Rhoads, Corinna Stewart and Canica Rodriguez that qualified for state this past season and finished 15th.
"I really hope our relay teams get down and get faster times so we can get to state in all three relays," she said. "Last year, we went in one and I feel like we could get all three this year."
On Friday, Savannah golfer Mollee Olszowka signed her letter of intent to North Central Missouri College in Trenton. Olszowka concluded her varsity golf career this past fall, going to state in all four years of high school.
"I'm proud of myself and I think I did pretty good," Olszowka said. "I have a big drive to play golf and I just have the ability to go out and want to be there and have fun."
Olszowka finished second overall in the MEC meet this past fall and posted a top three score in districts to get to state for a fourth straight year.
Olszowka won the MEC tournament in 2021, and placed 18th at state her junior year.
"I'll miss my coaches a lot," Olszowka said. "They've always supported me and I really just wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else."
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