Senior Sayler Beerwinkle is the next big star to graduate from Springlake-Earth as she embarks on her journey to play college basketball. Last Monday, all of her proud student peers, teachers, coaches, friends, and family members watched as she signed to play at Hardin-Simmons University in the fall. 

With most of her senior year wondering and deciding on which college was right for her, HSU came to be the obvious option. 

“At the beginning of the year, I wasn’t sure where I was going to go to school. I knew I didn’t want to go to the ones close to home, like WT, Tech or SPC, so I applied to Hardin-Simmons, Abilene Christian and Angelo State,” Sayler Beerwinkle said. “Those are all about 3 hours away from home, and that is plenty for me. I eliminated the choices after that. ACU was too big, and ASU was in a direction I’m not familiar with, so it came down to HSU.” 

Sayler will move into college on the 23rd of August and begin her college basketball career towards the end of October. To be committed to a college to play basketball is a great accomplishment and one that Sayler is widely appreciative of. To have others recognize her achievements meant the world to her. 

“The signing was special. Coach Been recognized my accomplishments which was very sweet,” Sayler Beerwinkle said. “A lot of my family members were present as well, making it even more special.” 

Despite being such an impressive accomplishment, it was one that came at the end of a lot of hardship. 

“Sayler went back and forth on whether or not she wanted to play at the next level. She had gone to a few prospect camps, and they weren’t showing much interest,” Sarah Weldon said. “I just encouraged her to do whatever she wanted to do and try not to get down about it because she would find the right fit or maybe it just wasn’t in the cards for her.” 

Sayler persisted and kept working hard and earning recognition. She decided to apply to HSU for academic purposes and got accepted. As a result, she decided to email the head basketball coach, and it was the email that would bring a positive turnaround for her future basketball career. 

“After a few camps and negative results, I thought about giving up but luckily, I didn’t,” Sayler Beerwinkle said. “Hardin-Simmons felt right, and I can’t wait.” 

After one phone call and a visit to the Abilene college, Sayler knew that she was meant to be a part of the HSU team and become one of the Cowgirls. 

“I sent some film to them, and then the assistant coach asked if he could call me,” Sayler Beerwinkle said. “It was during the Littlefield tournament, and I wasn’t able to get right back to him. Later, I was able to talk to him, and he said he’d get me set up for a visit and that was that.” 

Soon after, Sayler attended a practice at HSU and got offered a chance to become a part of the team. 

“He asked her to come visit, and they offered a position on the roster that day,” Sarah Weldon said. “It was a very exciting day, so much so that Sayler was pretty much speechless!” 

Her brother, Slade Beerwinkle, was also speechless and beyond proud of his big sister. 

“I am so proud of her. She works so hard, and she deserves to be where she’s at,” Slade Beerwinkle said. “I can’t wait to see her at her future games. She’s going to be great.” 

Her family and friends are looking forward to seeing Sayler pursue her passion for basketball and take her skills to a whole new level. 

“I am excited for her and look forward to watching her grow and become a better person and player as she goes to school at HSU,” father Si Beerwinkle said. “I hope she enjoys it and makes lots of friends. College is about the experience, and I hope she is able to get that.” 

Most of all, Sayler is ready to take the next step in her journey. She is grateful for all that Springlake-Earth has taught her and allowed her to become. Going to college in the fall, she’s excited to play basketball and meet the people she will be sharing the court with. 

“I’m excited to compete in college,” Sayler Beerwinkle said. “It’s gonna be harder than high school, at least that’s what I’ve been told, but I’ll be able to handle it.”