Here's where Columbia-area athletes are signing during November's National Signing Day

It's time for the early signing period, and Columbia-area athletes are putting pen to paper to officially state where they will compete at the college level.

Rock Bridge leads the way this November with 10 athletes signing their National Letters of Intent, headlined by six athletes signing with Power 5 schools.

Lily Dudley was one of those athletes, signing with Arkansas. She set numerous Rock Bridge offensive records as one of its star hitters but was still thriving at the moment.

Dudley said she never thought she would have the chance to sit there and sign with a school, let alone with two of her teammates who also signed to play collegiately.

"It's crazy," Dudley said. "My last four years, I never thought it was going to be me going up there and signing. I've watched all my teammates do it and I never thought I was going to be in that position. Sitting down, especially with my friends, it was such a good moment."

Battle has five athletes signing, three of which are standout softball players. Tolton is sending a swimmer to the Division I ranks, and runner across town to Columbia College.

This is the first of multiple signing day celebrations, as other schools will also celebrate later in February or at different times.

Columbia-area athlete signings in November

See a name missing from this list? Let the Tribune know. Email sports editor Chris Kwiecinski with any athletes, their respective sport and which college they are signing to compete with at CKwiecinsk@gannett.com.

Rock Bridge Bruins

• Ella Swindle, Volleyball: University of Texas

• Lily Dudley, Volleyball: University of Arkansas

• Kyra Thomas, Volleyball: Missouri Southern State University

• Jacob Studer, Lacrosse: Columbia College

• Katherine Sievers, Basketball: Columbia College

• Isabella Corrado, Basketball: Ave Maria University

• Tierney Baumstark, Golf: Missouri State University

• Lily Patterson, Soccer: Kansas State University

• Madison Hendershott, Soccer: University of Missouri

• Carter McCallister, Wrestling: University of Missouri

• Anna Christ, Softball: Saint Louis University

• Abby Hay, Softball: University of Missouri

Battle Spartans

• Ainsley Stubbs, Softball: Gulf Coast State College

• Lauren Martin, Softball: Moberly Area Community College

• Chelsea Gleba, Softball: Central Methodist University

• Kaelyn Johnson, Basketball: Columbia College

• Cole Hartwick, Baseball: William Woods University

Father Tolton Trailblazers

• Lindsey Hervey, Swimming: Missouri State University

• Quentin Hermann, Cross County/Track and Field: Columbia College

Hickman Kewpies

Hickman told the Tribune the program has decided to wait until February for a signing celebration, as the school is expecting a large class to sign in the winter.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: National Signing Day: Here's where Columbia-area athletes are signing