Marion senior Cheyenne Dotson decided long ago that she wanted to play college soccer. Now, as a senior, that dream has come true. Dotson, a two-time all-conference performer and a 2023 all-state honoree, signed to play at Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri. “I am really excited to get there and get started,” said Dotson. “I just love soccer, and am so happy I get to keep playing.” “We are incredibly proud of Cheyenne and her accomplishments,” said Marion girls soccer coach Chris Paslay. “Her talent, leadership, and determination have been instrumental to our team's success, and we have no doubt that she will continue to shine at Culver-Stockton.” The versatile Dotson, who can play almost every spot on the pitch according to Paslay, led Marion in scoring in 2023 and is off to a good start this spring, already with eight goals. Dotson was one of the first players he met when he took the Marion job in 2020, and he said he was a little surprised by the comment. “She was maybe 80 pounds at the time,” said Paslay. “She didn't make an immediate impact that year because we had many upperclassmen on the club. But she won the JV award that year, which she laughs about now.” Through many hours of extra reps outside of practice at school, Dotson honed her craft and took her game to the next level. “I never minded the extra work because I knew I had to do it to get to my dream,” said Dotson. “There were times I'd get tired, but I couldn't give up on my dream.” Dotson started some matches at fullback as a sophomore before moving to forward for her junior season in 2023. As a senior, Dotson “is now our leader on the field,” said Paslay. “She's our point guard. She plays box-to-box and runs the whole show. There are a lot of days I say to myself that I remember when I used to have to coach the team, but now Cheyenne has got it.” Culver-Stockton finished the 2023 season with a mark of 9-5-4, and the Wildcats finished 2021 with a sterling 13-4-2 mark, with an 8-3-1 record in league play. “I really get along with the coaches there, I feel like they treat me like one of their own,” said Dotson. “They've put the effort in building our relationship.”