Muldrow star Trenden Collins signs with Emporia State University

Muldrow athletic star Trenden Collins made it official Monday morning where he would spend his college years, signing a letter of intent to play football and run track for Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan.

Some of Collins’ accomplishments on the football field were passing the 2,000yard rushing mark and being recognized as one of the top rushers in Oklahoma. Collins, a senior, was also the Class 4A high jump state champion as a junior.

The faculty and coaches at Muldrow recognize the efforts on and off the field that it takes to be able to achieve this honor, and they said they were all proud of the way Collins represented Muldrow at every level.

“He deserves everything he has gotten,” said Muldrow football head coach Brandon Ellis. “It’s going to be exciting to watch him at the next level on Saturdays. Everybody will be rooting for him — the whole town, all the coaches and former players. On and off the field, academically, you couldn’t ask for a better kid.”

“We are really proud of him,” added Jana Armer, Muldrow athletic director and girls’ basketball head coach. “He’s just a great all-around student-athlete and state champion in the high jump. He’s great at basketball, he is great at football and he is an even better young man. We are going to miss him around here. He’s a special athlete.”

Trenden’s father, Terry, is Muldrow’s head basketball coach, and his mother, Donnella, teaches at Muldrow Elementary School. And even though they’ve been blessed with other children that have received similar opportunities, they are both excited and as proud as they can be for Trenden.

“It’s a proud papa moment, because he gets the chance to continue playing football and get an education. It’s a great opportunity,” Terry said.

“I’m a very proud momma,” Donnella added. “We have had several do this, but it’s still as exciting as the first one. We are super excited for him. We’re ready to see him explore and venture out and do new things. We’re ready to see him succeed, which I know he will.”

“The community is great here,” Trenden said. “I love Muldrow, the fans, the staff, the coaches — they were all here for me. It’s just great support all around. It’s been fun to be here.

“I will be playing receiver, outside receiver,” Trenden revealed. “It’s gonna make some big things and make a big change at Emporia State University.”

Trenden still has several athletic events left before his tenure at Muldrow is over, and he hopes to repeat as the state champion high jumper. When he starts ESU in the fall, he’s already looking ahead to major in computer science. He wants to work in computer security, but not until he’s finished breaking a few more high school and college records.

Former MHS standout Braden Gleason has started the past two seasons at quarterback for ESU while setting several school records. ESU, an NCAA Division II school, is located about 85 miles northeast of Wichita.