Four Durant High School multi-year standouts signed last week to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.
Stephen Manhard will take his football talents to Austin College, Holdan Robinson will take the gridiron at Central Oklahoma and Alex Thurman is going to attend Southeastern to play for the Savage Storm. Cole Robbins also inked a scholarship offer to play baseball at Ranger Junior College.
“It’s really a special day for these guys who have been a major part of this program throughout their high school careers,” said Durant football coach Todd Vargas. “We are extremely proud of them. It has taken a lot of hard work and dedication by them and their families to get to this point today and an opportunity to continue to the next level.”
Manhard is expected to play running back at Austin College and look to be a workhorse in the Kangaroo backfield much like he did the past few years for the Lions.
At Durant High he tallied 1,864 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns over his career while notching more than 5.5 yards per attempt on 337 carries.
“It’s pretty close to home, just 30 minutes away,” Manhard said. “They pride themselves with a power back like what I can do so I am really excited about it. They have really good academics at Austin College so I am looking forward to that as well.
“I never thought I would have a chance to play in college so it is definitely a blessing.”
Robinson has been a key cog on both sides of the ball for the Lions over the last several years, excelling in the defensive backfield where he is expected to contribute for the Bronchos.
Over the past three seasons he has a combined 119 tackles while breaking up 19 passes and intercepting six while also forcing a pair of opposing fumbles. A whopping 13 of those pass break ups came this past fall as a senior.
“I am excited to get up there to UCO and get to work,” Robinson stated. “Expect to me to play safety and have some of the best facilities in Division 2. I want to be a leader my first year and continue to get better.”
Thurman has been a bell cow leader for the Durant defense each of the past three seasons, racking up more than 100 tackles each campaign while being the catalyst on that side of the ball for the Lions.
The tackle machine led the team with 120 stops, including nine for losses, one sack, one interception and a forced fumble this past fall. His totals over the last three campaigns include 358 tackles, 38 for losses, four sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
“It has always been a dream for me to play at the next level,” Thurman said. “Every kid has a dream and mine came true. Getting to continue to play in this community, around my family, makes it even better.
While Robbins was a multiyear starter at quarterback for the Lions, it was the baseball diamond where his best chance for a lengthy run into junior college and even beyond came.
He was the team’s offensive leader in last year’s return to the state tournament, tallying a strong .410 batting average along with a .526 on-base percentage. Of his 32 hits, 11 went for extra bases with five doubles, two triples and four home runs. He also led the club with 27 runs batted in.
“Ranger really stood out to me,” Robbins added. “They have a small campus and a very successful program. It’s a great place for me to go and grow for two years and then figure out what I’m going to do after that. They are looking for me to play third base.
“I have been playing baseball since I was three years old and am glad I get the chance to continue on.”
Four Durant High School senior athletes signed college letters last week. From left, Axel Thurman, Southeastern football; Cole Robbins, Ranger Junior College baseball; Holdan Robinson, University of Central Oklahoma football, and Stephen Manhard, Austin College football.
