Opening up… Thursday, April 25, Fairhope High School held a signing day. Students who are taking their sport to the next level are signed a letter of intent to their college of choice. This marked a huge point for not only the individual athlete, but for the school. Assistant Principal Josh Howell started signing day with a speech praising the hard work and dedication of the athletes. He emphasized the integrity of these driven individuals.
Letting go… Football Coach Tim Carter speaks highly of his six players, commending them for continuing to play their sport. He talked about everything they accomplished and what they have been through together. (Madeline Piazza)Leaning in… Parents and fellow student athletes listen to the coaches’ speeches. For hours, the onlookers showed their support to this event, understanding it to be a huge deal. (Madeline Piazza)Getting sentimental… Peyton Frazer and Abby Nelson, volleyball signees, try not to get emotional by their coaches’ words. They said they were excited to be playing in college, but that they would always miss their high school teams. “I wouldn’t have gotten to this point without my sister; she is such a role model to me because she played college volleyball too,” Nelson said. (Madeline Piazza)Taking it all in… Athletes Deshaun Williams, Tucker Petrus, Lane Watson, Darin Wilson and Paige Evans look into the audience. They humbly took the high praise from their coaches. (Madeline Piazza)Words of encouragement… Coach Lacey Powell brags about Nelson. She talked about how tough she is and how she pulled through adversity. (Madeline Piazza)Funny comments… Athletes laugh and clap after hearing jokes and stories from coaches. This brought all of the athletes together despite playing different sports. (Madeline Piazza)Putting a pen to paper… The athletes sign their letters of intent to their chosen colleges. This marked a huge time in their careers as athletes. (Madeline Piazza)Saying goodbye… Students Ann Clark-Smurda, Peyton Davis and Claire Havard show support for Aidan Hagan, Mississippi College Soccer signee. Sad to say goodbye to their friend, the girls laughed and joked together. (Madeline Piazza)Let’s talk… Seniors Josue Hellwege and Luke Guimarin interview signees Nolan Phillips, Tripp Duke and Spence Sims. They talked about what got them to this point and what their future aspirations are. “I am really excited to be able to compete at a SEC level with the nice facilities and the tough competition,” Duke said. (Madeline Piazza)
Athletic signees are as follows:
Football
Preston Godfrey – Mississippi College
Clayton Noblitt – Mississippi College
Ameyr Adams – University of Louisiana Monroe
Barrett Cain – Mississippi College
Dallas Boothe – Huntington College
Sanders Daniel – Harvard University
Cheer
Maddie Grant – Louisiana State University.
Sarah Claire Stejskal – Samford University
Boys Basketball
Spence Sims – University of Alabama
Baseball
Nolan Phillips – University of West Alabama
Connor Gunnison – University of West Alabama
Gavin Rehorn – Stillman College
Softball
Jesslyn Gordon – Springhill College
Rylee Faith Turner – Meridian Community College
Zoie Ellis – Enterprise State
Volleyball
Peyton Frazer – University of Mobile
Abby Nelson – University of South Alabama
Track & Field
Ben Klapp – University of South Alabama
Deshaun Williams – United States Sports Academy
Tucker Petrus University of Louisiana Monroe
Cross Country
Lane Watson – Troy University
Boys Soccer – Paul Stroud
Darin Wilson – William Penn University
Tennis
Paige Evans – Berry College
Emily Grubach – Coastal Alabama Community College
Skylar Spinks – Milsaps College
Lacrosse
Ryker Holmes – University of Alabama Huntsville
Golf
Miles Miller – University of Montevallo
Trip Duke – Mississippi State University
Girls Soccer
Aidyn Hagen – Mississippi College
Swimming
Noah Greer- Cleveland State
Lena Amare- University of Richmond
Anastasia Newton- University of Tennessee Southern
