Howard inks deal with Missouri Valley
Jahlil Howard accomplished the first part of the goal he developed as a student at Montgomery High School near Conroe last week. He made it to the big time.
Fresh off completing a stellar career at Ranger College, he will be taking his talents to the next level this fall. On Friday, the sophomore standout inked a deal to run for Missouri Valley College, a NAIA power located in Marshall, Missouri.
"I feel like it was the right for me," he said. "There people there just drew me in. They're like a big family and I really enjoy that. I'm looking forward to enrolling and starting in the fall."
A two-sport standout at Ranger, Howard was part of Rangers' rise in prominence nationally. He helped the RC men's cross-country team crack the top 15 in the national rankings in each of the last two seasons. Individually, he raced his way to 52nd in the individual standings at the recent NJCAA National Championships in Kansas with a time of 27 minutes, 43.1 seconds in an 8-kilometer race.
"Jahlil did an excellent job for us," said Ranger College cross country and track coach Kathy Graham. "He was a big part of the success we had here."
The son of Kinte Howard of Montgomery and Matthew Howard of Houston, Jahlil credit much of his success to his family, coaches, friends and teammates that surrounded him during his youth.
Among the people he says influenced his drive to run were his grandparents, Henry Calyen of Conroe, and great-grandparents Bernice and Fred Howard of Columbia, Pennsylvania; his stepfather, Anthony Howard of Montgomery; his grandmothers Denise Howard of Houston and Dolly Calyen of New York City; and uncle Omar Calyen, of New York City. He also credited pastors B.J. and Rosie Plattenburg for inspiration, as well as coaches Kathy and Bill Graham and former high school coach Chance Edwards.
"They mean so much to me," he said. "I'm the product of a lot of hard work by many people. I think this (signing with MVC) is as much for them as it is for myself. Without their care and support, I would have not been able to accomplish this."
Howard had plenty of options at continuing his collegiate career. After his success at Ranger, he received offers from several four-year institutions, including Mt. Mercy in Iowa, Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, the University of Texas at the Permian Basin in Odessa, the University of St. Mary in Kansas, Hardin-Simmons University and McMurry University, both in Abilene, as well as Prairie View A&M in Houston, Dickinson State University in North Dakota, and Pace University in New York City.
Howard said part of the reason he chose Missouri Valley College was the opportunity to compete outside of Texas.
"I've always wanted to go outside the state of Texas," he said. "Now, thanks to God, I have that opportunity to branch out and go. I feel very blessed to have the chance to do this."