Four DGS Students Sign National Letters of Intent for College Athletics

  • Posted November 9, 2016
Four DGS Students Sign National Letters of Intent for College Athletics

Congratulations to Alyssa Reinholz, Kiera James, Payton Buresch and TJ Clifford for committing to continue their athletic careers in college!

Four students at South High School in Downers Grove signed national letters of intent in college athletics at a ceremony at the school on November 9, 2016.

Click here to see photos

The DGS seniors have signed for the 2016-17 school year with the following universities: 

  • Payton Buresch (James Madison University) -- Softball; Payton Buresch has been on the Varsity Softball team for the past three years. As a pitcher, her career record at DGS is 46-3 with 26 shutouts. She has been All Conference for three years and All Area for two years. Payton is attending James Madison University in Virginia next fall, majoring in Elementary Education. 
  • TJ Clifford (Western Michigan University) -- Basketball. TJ Clifford is a 3-year varsity starter.  TJ is a retuning WSC Gold All Conference player.  TJ led DGS to a 10-2 Conference Record and Conference Championship as a Junior.  TJ averaged 12 points and 6 rebounds per game for the 2015-2016 season.
  • Kiera James (Southern Illinois University) -- Volleyball; Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Major in Sociology. Kiera James is a 4-year Varsity Letter winner, 3-year All Conference Winner, and Most Valuable Player for 2 years. Kiera has had amazing stats throughout the 4 years she has been here, excelling in her offensive game.  This past season her defensive game joined her offense. This season Kiera had 245 kills, 53 aces, 105 blocks, and 306 digs in just one season.  Kiera has been recognized by college recruiting for having a touching over 10 feet, which put her on a D1 watch list for up and coming players.
  • Alyssa Reinholz (Illinois State University) -- Swimming; Illinois State University- Majoring in Elementary Education and minoring in coaching. Alyssa is 4-year Varsity Letter Earner in Swimming.  In addition, she was a 4-year All Conference Winner, 2 Time team MVP and named to the All-Academic team. She currently holds Sophomore School Records in the 50 Free, 100 Free, 200 Medley Relay, 200 Free Relay, and 400 Free Relay. 

“Good things happen to good people who work hard,” says South High School Athletic Director Randall Konstans. “We are proud of their achievements and successes both in athletics and academics while at South High, and wish them the best in the future.” 

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