Athletic Signing Day
Athletes pre-signing.
Undoubtedly one of the most important decision of a student’s career, 10 athletes signed to their first choice of colleges Feb. 7. With their families and closest friends watching them, six women’s soccer players, three men’s soccer players and one football player committed to furthering their athletic career at the college level, a distinction that only three percent of high school students receive.
“These young people didn’t get to this point and have this opportunity without a lot of hard work, and a lot of miles on the minivan,” Athletic Director Bob Hayes said while congratulating all the athletes for their dedication to their sport. Dr. Sherry Eppelsheimer followed Hayes’ speech with remarks.
After deciding between many schools, Tress Southard signed to Oglethorpe University for women’s soccer. Southard played recreational soccer as a child and moved up to play competitive club soccer. She chose Oglethorpe over the other colleges primarily because of its small student body.
Mary Michels, also a women’s soccer player, signed to play at the University of North Georgia.
“It just checked all the boxes, it’s a cool mountain town, and has a really great program,” she said.
Michels played soccer at YMCA for as long as she can remember, and has played competitively since she was 8.
Lee Sheppard, a soccer player since she was four years old, signed to play with the University of South Carolina. When she was in second grade, she started to play competitively.
Madeleine Job signed to College of Charleston after playing soccer since the age of five, and moving up to play competitive when she was in fifth grade.
Charlie Marino, a men’s’ soccer player, signed to play at the College of Charleston. Since Marino was a freshman, College of Charleston has been recruiting him, and it “was just the right fit,” he said. In addition to College of Charleston, Georgia Southern, University of South Carolina and University of North Carolina were also trying to recruit him.
Alex Holloman also signed for men’s soccer to play at Mercer University. His primary reason for choosing Mercer was that “they’re just better at soccer than the other colleges.”
Zoe Jenkins signed to North Greenville University for women’s soccer. She chose North Greenville over other colleges because the soccer coach there previously coached her on another team and the school offers the major she’s interested in. Jenkins has played soccer since she was seven, and played competitively since she was nine.
Carter Jeffries signed to Winthrop University for men’s soccer. Jeffries has played soccer for as long as he can remember, and started his competitive career when he was 11.
Conner McCarthy signed to Coastal Carolina University for football. He chose Coastal Carolina because of its close location and his knowledge of the campus.
