By Robert Halliman
With millions of athletesbrall over the country participating in high school athletics, only about twobrpercent are presented the opportunity to continue their athletic aspirations atbrthe next level. As college scholarships not only allow student athletes tobrpursue their educational aspirations at a discounted price, but also allowbrathletes to have a shot of potentially playing at the professional level,brsigning day has become a huge opportunity bestowed only to a select few.
The beacon of success in thebrstate of Texas, Southlake Carroll, is nationally known for funneling itsbrathletes to elite universities after graduation. Having athletes from all overbrthe high school sports spectrum attend top-notch colleges to pursuit theirbrathletic and academic dreams, the Dragon sports program has built a reputationbrthat has preceded itself. Having had 20 student athletes sign national lettersbrof intent on national signing day since 2014, the Southlake Carroll class ofbr2016 produced 11 athletes who signed to various universities all over thebrcountry. As families, friends and coaches gathered around to bask in the glorybrthat is signing day, it was all smiles throughout Dragon country.
Southlake Carroll FootballbrCoach Hal Wasson produced another class of elite athletes who will go on tobrpursue their athletic dreams at the next level as six players signed letters ofbrintent. Running Back Li'l Jordan Humphrey (University of Texas), who set thebrCarroll single season rushing record in 2014 leads the class, while wide receiverbrZach Farrar (University of Oklahoma), Offensive Tackle Trace Andersonbr(Southwestern University), Cornerback Obi Eboh (Stanford), Offensive TacklebrLucas Tribble (Yale), and Long Snapper IV Seacoat who signed to Texas Tech as abrpreferred walk-on all signed LOIs.
Wide Receiver Zach Farrar,brwho recently switched his commitment from Mississippi State University, willbrplay both football and baseball at the University of Oklahoma. The aspiringbrprofessional athlete also sees his education as a possible means to one day getbra law degree.
“It's a feeling of reliefbrhonestly. Signing those papers and getting it done has been a huge weight off my shoulders,” says Farrar.
The Dragon Women's Soccerbrprogram also had a great signing day, as four athletes signed Letters of Intentbrto continue their soccer careers at the Division 1 Level. Mary Meehan, whobrbecame the 19th player in Lady Dragons Soccer history to score 20brgoals, led the class as she signed with in-state SMU, while Grace Dunker (Purdue)brAllie Luna (Kansas State) and Grace Cory (Texas A&M) round out the classbrfor a 12-1 women's team, who is looking to make a state title run thisbrseason.
Looking forward to joiningbrher teammates in College Station next season, Grace Cory sees the next fourbryears of her athletic career being quite a successful one.
“I'm excited to see where mybrcollege journey takes me. I'm also very excited about the possibility to helpbrbring A&M back to the Final Four,” says Cory.
The Dragon Water Polo team also had a signee as Katie Nedrow signed with the Patriot League'sbrBucknell University to round out the signing day for the Dragons.
With all this continuedbrsuccess, Principal Shawn Duhon is looking for more in the future, as he seesbrthis day as a great opportunity for the Dragon community. “It's a greatbrexpectation. We hope that every year we can fit those kids in a university, andbrcelebrate their joyous times and accomplishments throughout the year. It's abrgreat environment where the whole day our kids, and our faculty are excited forbrthe campus.”
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