This website is best viewed in a browser that supports web standards.

Skip to content or, if you would rather, Skip to navigation.

Listen Live
Donate
MARYVILLE

KXCV-KRNW


News Brief

Nov. 21, 2023MARYVILLE, Mo.

Dumke signs with Southeast Missouri State

Ava Dumke will compete in track & field at SEMO next year

Maryville's Ava Dumke will continue her track and field career at Southeast Missouri State next year.

The senior signed with the Redhawks Tuesday afternoon to throw javelin next year in Cape Girardeau. Dumke didn't think she would have an opportunity to compete in track and field at the collegiate level until her junior season unfolded. She was rebounding from an ACL injury and trying to find her way.

"I just didn't really feel athletic anymore," Dumke said. "I was like 'ok, I'm playing sports but I don't feel like I'm excelling at them.'"

That began to change as she started working with former Northwest Missouri State track & field standout Dakota Schmidt on the javelin throw.

"He was huge. He taught me everything I know and I owe everything to him. I started throwing big throws, and from then on it was like 'you could go somewhere big for this.' When colleges started reaching out – I never thought I'd be going in track, but I enjoy it."

Dumke placed third at state last year in the javelin. Maryville head track and field coach Rodney Bade believes the results are an indication of her resiliency.

"Going into high school she kind of thought she was going to be a certain athlete that played a certain sport, then things didn't necessarily work well. Then she discovered javelin and loves it," Bade said. "Happy that she's been able to find a place that wants her and is excited about having her."

The move to Southeast Missouri State also gives her the unique opportunity to compete at the same school as her brother Garrett Dumke – a distance runner for the Redhawks.