Iola senior Tre Wilson signed an agreement Friday to play baseball at Fort Scott Community College next season. Family, friends, coaches and teammates gathered in the high school’s commons area to celebrate the achievement.
For Travis Wilson, Tre’s uncle, the moment was the result of years of hard work — but just one more step in the journey.
“I’m very excited for him,” Travis said. “Baseball for Tre has been a savior. It’s taken him far. And who knows? Maybe it will take him even further yet.”
Wilson is the only senior so far this season to commit to playing collegiate baseball, noted Iola High coach Lake Johnson. “It’s awesome,” said Johnson. “It’s always cool to see all the hard work pay off. Tre can play anywhere and do anything.”
FORT SCOTT appealed to Wilson for several reasons.
“It’s closer to home,” said Wilson. “And I got the feeling the program would help make me a better person, both on and off the field.”
Coach John Hill III has been at the program’s helm for nearly two decades, and he’s built a positive culture. The program has won 30 or more games for 15 consecutive years, except for a season shortened by the COVID pandemic. The team’s overall record this season stands at 37-15.
Wilson’s love affair with baseball is a long one.
“I love everything about baseball. The sounds, the smells. It’s been that way for as long as I can remember,” Wilson said Friday. “My uncles and grandparents have helped me over the years. They’ve taken me to games and helped me get to the next level.”
Wilson plans to attend Fort Scott for two years and then transfer to a Division I university. His ultimate goal? To play in the big league — preferably, the Royals.
While graduating and leaving Iola is a tad bittersweet for Wilson, he said he’ll always relish sweeping every team in league competition last year.
He’s grateful for his family’s support, as well as that of his coaches, Levi Ashmore, who stepped down after last season, and Johnson.
“Levi has been more than a coach for me over the last three years,” he said. “And with Lake, it’s really helped having someone younger to talk with.”
