In 2024, Isabella Smith made a decision that continues to change her life. As a Richmond High School junior, Smith opted to play girls golf as her fall sport, rather than softball, as she had done. She made the change because “I felt that it was time for me to try something new,” she said. “I kind of felt like I was at a stuck point with softball,” Smith said. “And I wanted things to be a little bit more easier on my body.” Following the switch, Smith helped Richmond qualify as a team for the 2025 Class 2 state tournament. In addition, her golfing skills attracted attention from North Central Missouri College (NCMC). On March 6, she formally signed her letter of intent to play women’s golf for the Trenton-based junior college during a short ceremony in the high school commons area. NCMC was among a handful of colleges Smith considered, she said. “I visited two for strictly golf,” Smith recalled. “And then, once I visited Trenton, I immediately fell in love. I didn’t really want…