Jacob Kowes is headed to an established powerhouse, while Josiah Reif looks forward to joining an out-of-state up-and-comer.

The Ripon Christian seniors are committed to National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics schools for different sports.

Kowes is signed with The Master’s University baseball team, and Reif will continue his volleyball career with Cornerstone University out of Grand Rapids, Mich.

A 6-foot-2 multi-sport standout, Kowes is sitting out his senior season at Ripon Christian while recovering from devastating injuries. Last fall, the two-way lineman played a big part in the Knights earning their first Sac-Joaquin Section championship in football but tore an ACL and meniscus in one knee and fractured the other knee during the postseason run.

“It is rough, but having the mind set of looking forward to college makes it a lot easier,” Kowes said. “I’m not done; I just have to wait a while until I can play again.”

Kowes, a power-hitting first baseman, was getting serious consideration from NCAA Division I schools before the injuries. The Master’s, however, was always at the top of his list. His father and two older siblings have attended the Santa Clarita-based Christian school.

“The injury narrowed my options, but Master’s was still my top choice pretty much from the beginning,” Kowes said. “The coach there is a great coach, and the opportunities coming out of that program are as good as most programs in the country. It’s really impressive for an NAIA school.”

The Mustangs are 29-14 and likely on their way to a 13th straight winning season under longtime coach Monte Brooks. Brooks came into his 27th year with a 790-535-1 career record. His win total is the most in program history and No. 14 among NAIA coaches.

The Master’s has made four NAIA World Series appearances (2000, 2013, 2016, 2017) under Brooks while claiming three Golden State Athletic Conference regular-season titles and three conference tournament championships.

Kowes plans to study business administration or agricultural business. He’ll join 2021 Ripon Christian grads Will Gilbert (baseball) and Braden Van Groningen (volleyball) at The Master’s.

Reif has a chance to help Cornerstone University’s men’s volleyball program continue its ascent. The 6-foot-3 outside hitter played a key role in Ripon Christian’s run to the Sac-Joaquin Section and California Interscholastic Federation Northern Regional Division IV championships last year.

Cornerstone’s volleyball team is just in its third year, all under coach Alex Bahn. Aftviser going 13-42 in their first two seasons, the Golden Eagles are currently 19-13. They compete in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference.

“It’s a really new program and I want to help build it there,” Reif said. “I actually found out about them. I flew out there (for a visit) in the snow. It was cold, but overall I felt that it was a good fit. They have a lot of guys from Chicago that I liked, and there is one from Sacramento I’ve played with because of club. It was just a good match.”

Reif will pursue a degree in business finance.