Jordyn Thurman will be heading to a new school next year but will be comfortable right away.

The Mexico senior is playing softball at the University of Missouri, as she made clear with a signing ceremony on Thursday afternoon in Gary Filbert gym in Mexico. Thurman brings a high school career to the Division I school that includes four all-conference honors, three all-district awards and two all-region recognitions.

Thurman is yet to move into the campus but feels that Mizzou is already “a home away from home.” Her older sister and former Lady Bulldog, Riley, is already at Mizzou so she has some family waiting for her.

“I’ve always been a Mizzou fan,” Thurman said. “Only being 45 minutes away, it’s just home. I’ve always grown up knowing Mizzou. Probably since middle school, it’s been my No. 1”

Despite holding her signing ceremony this week, Thurman announced her commitment during her junior season before the school officially revealed her signing on social media Wednesday. She said colleges are allowed to contact potential players on Sept. 1 of junior year, which happened with her, and Thurman has also participated in several camps at Mizzou over the years. 

“It’s just a great culture there,” Thurman said. “The new coaching staff is just amazing and the people there are awesome.”

This season, Thurman was named an all-conference and all-district player for the Lady Bulldogs, who finished second in the North Central Missouri Conference standings. In the heart of Mexico’s lineup, Thurman hit .342/.480/.506 with 20 RBI, eight doubles and 18 walks in 28 games.

First-year head coach Hanna Branch said she wasn’t surprised that Thurman would be a Division I player after seeing her initially this season.

“Mechanically, she was very sound,” Branch said. “Right off the bat, she was really good in drills. She stepped up and moved wherever we needed her to. Players with a higher IQ know that wherever their team needs them they have to play. It’s a great mindset to have and very rare to find.”

Branch said the versatility is what makes Thurman a good fit for Division I, and she isn’t just referring to playing multiple positions on defense. Versatility when it pertains to hitting refers to Thurman’s ability to hit the ball over the fence as well as lay down a bunt, and she also runs the bases well.

According to the aforementioned Mizzou social media post, Thurman was listed as a center fielder. However, she has proven her ability to play anywhere on the diamond, except for catcher. This season, Thurman was Mexico’s shortstop, finishing with a .953 fielding percentage. In previous seasons, Thurman has pitched and played the outfield.

“Honestly, when you get to college, you don’t know. Wherever they need you, you’ll go,” Thurman said. “In high school, I did anything my team needed me to do. That wasn’t just because of Mizzou. It was just what my team needed me to do at the time, and that’s just what I do.”

Thurman has been playing softball since she was five years old and grown smarter about the game over the years. She said playing several positions also helps building a softball IQ as she has so much prior experience to reference.

“Watching the game for so long and playing the game for so long has really helped me in my athleticism in all these different positions,” Thurman said. “I love to learn new things, and I love to play new positions. It’s just something I’m really grateful for, playing all those positions.”

Thurman said she will miss her teammates the most at Mexico, and Branch said the program will miss her as well. 

“She’s going to represent her program well,” Branch said. “She’ll be a great leader. I’m excited to see her do well in college.”

Thurman is majoring in education and hopes to learn even more things as a Mizzou Tiger as she did as a Mexico Lady Bulldog.

“Everybody has growth to make in that you don’t just hit college and you’re there,” Thurman said. “You don’t hit your peak until you’re in college. I’m not at my peak yet, and I don’t want to be at my peak yet. Mizzou will help me get there.”