Despite the fact they’ll be in opposite sides of the state, Lauhnna Waybrant and Matt Ruppert will have one thing in common next year.
The two Brandon High School seniors will continue their athletic careers at the college level, each signing letters of intent at a ceremony April 27 at Brandon High School.
Waybrant will play women’s basketball at Oakland Community College (OCC), while Ruppert will be a member of the Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) football team.
OCC women’s basketball coach Marv Allen said he is excited to have Waybrant in the OCC program.
‘Lauhnna was one of our top recruits,? he said. ‘We expect a lot out of her.?
Waybrant talked to Olivet College and Albion College about playing basketball there, but decided staying near home was her best option.
‘When I visited there, I fell in love with the coaching staff,? she said. ‘I felt like I fit right in.?
She said playing the 2002-03 season with quality players such as Brittany Stedman and Patrice Andre (who will now be one of Waybrant’s teammates at OCC), helped her realize she wanted to play basketball at the next level.
Waybrant, who will play both point guard and shooting guard next year, hopes to ‘improve my game all-around and have a winning season? at OCC.
Meanwhile, Ruppert, a senior tight end on this year’s Brandon football team, will join a top-notch community college football program.
Grand Rapids Community College is ranked 12th in the nation in football among community colleges. Like Waybrant, Ruppert said the opportunity to stay as close to home as possible played a key role in him accepting a scholarship at GRCC.