HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal-LaGrange University softball is pleased to announce the signing of Dakota Symons of Wellington, New Zealand, to continue her academic and athletic career as a Trojan.
Symons will join the HLGU softball program as a catcher and third baseman and plans to major in Elementary Education.
A standout student-athlete at Whitby Collegiate, Symons brings an impressive combination of academic success, athletic experience, and international competition to the Trojan program.
Academic Excellence
Symons earned Diligence Awards from 2022 through 2025 at Whitby Collegiate. She also achieved Merit Endorsements at both NCEA Level 1 and Level 2 and received the Mitchell Cup for Most Improved Academics at Level 2.
Her commitment to education will continue at HLGU as she pursues a degree in Elementary Education.
Championship Experience
Symons comes to Hannibal with extensive championship experience at the regional, national, and secondary-school levels.
With the Saints U19 Girls Team, Symons was part of the 2024/2025 regional championship squad. At the national level, she helped the Hutt Valley U15 Girls Team capture the 2022/2023 National Championship, followed by national championships with the Hutt Valley U17 Girls Team in 2023/2024 and the Hutt Valley U19 Girls Team in 2024/2025.
Her success continued with Whitby Collegiate, helping the school win the College Sport New Zealand Secondary Schools Division 1 Championship in 2024/2025 and 2025/2026.
Symons has also gained valuable international experience, participating in the Whitby Collegiate Softball Tour to Japan in September 2023 and traveling to Australia with the International Softball Academy (ISA) in both 2025 and 2026.
Individual Recognition
Throughout her softball career, Symons has earned several individual honors. She was named Most Improved Player for the Saints P2 Whero Team in 2022/2023 and again for the Saints U17 Girls Team in 2023/2024.
Most recently, she was recognized as the Top Hitter for Johnsonville Softball Club's P2 Grade during the 2025/2026 season.
In addition to softball, Symons has demonstrated her athletic versatility through other sports and activities. She earned her Junior Black Belt in Kenpo Karate in 2020 and was named the Whitby Collegiate Netball Most Valuable Player in 2022.
Why HLGU?
Symons said her connection with the HLGU softball program and coaching staff played a major role in her decision to become a Trojan.
"I chose Hannibal-LaGrange University because I felt a genuine connection with the softball program and coaching staff. From my first conversations with the coaches, I felt welcomed and could see how much they genuinely care about their players and their development."
Symons is excited about the opportunity to continue her education while competing at the collegiate level.
"I am excited to study Elementary Education while continuing to play the sport I love and compete at the next level."
She also emphasized her desire to continue growing both on and off the field.
"My goal is to work hard both on the field and in the classroom, continue developing as a player, and challenge myself to keep improving. I also hope to make a positive contribution to the team and be a supportive teammate."
With championship experience, international competition, academic achievement, and a strong desire to continue improving, Symons brings a wealth of experience to the HLGU softball program.
Welcome to the Trojan family, Dakota!
