Fairmont Senior's Emily Decker signs with Davis & Elkins College

And now, after everything she has accomplished the past few seasons, she will be taking her skills to the next level.

On Thursday, Decker, surrounded by her family members, teammates and coach, signed her national letter of intent to join the women’s lacrosse team at Davis & Elkins College.

“I became very familiar with the coaches during Mountain State (Storm Lacrosse Club) because the college coaches coached me during travel (lacrosse),” Decker said. “All of the girls are very family like, they’re very close, and the coaches have supported me through my high school journey. I’m excited to go.”

She also considered attending Concord University. But after several tours of Davis & Elkins College, she felt comfortable there.

“The girls would come to my high school games and support me, and I’ve taken over a dozen tours and every time I enjoyed it more every time I’ve gone up there,” Decker said.

Decker won’t be the only former Polar Bear on the team as she will join Fairmont Senior alumnae Morgan Rogers, Madison Jones and Chloe Travelstead.

“I do,” Fairmont Senior coach John Cain said when asked if Davis & Elkins College is a good fit for Decker. “We’ve had three or four girls go on from Fairmont to Davis & Elkins, and these are girls that Emily’s played with. I think she’s excited to get a chance to work with them again, and I think it is.

“I think Emily wanted to stay close to home so mom and dad can watch what’s going on and watch her play, and I think this is a great fit for her. And (Davis & Elkins women’s lacrosse) coach (David) Pomeroy has worked with her in the travel program, so he knows what he’s getting, and he’s been putting work into trying to get her on board for a while, so I think it’s a great fit.”

Like in high school, she is planning to play in the midfield for the Senators.

“I’m really excited to play with people better than me so I can get better and learn from them and pick up skills that I never have had,” Decker said.

A three-time state champion, she credits her confidence as the key to her improvement throughout the years.

“I became more confident in my skills,” Decker said. “I’ve been able to take the ball and run with it without second guessing myself. And just reading the ball, being able to know when to cut and when to pass and shoot. You have to know lacrosse.”

Before she heads southeast to D&E, she said she hopes to impart some wisdom into Fairmont Senior’s younger players, particularly in regards to enjoying the sport.

“I want to make sure they enjoy it because you have to have a passion for the sport you play,” Decker said. “You can’t go to practice everyday hating it. You have to really have a love for it, so I want to make sure they like what they’re doing before making it stressful and really intense.”

She is planning to major in nursing.

“I want to become a labor and delivery nurse because I really like babies,” Decker said.