FAIRHOPE, Ala.— On April 23, Fairhope High School honored 19 student athletes advancing into a collegiate level sport.
“Signing my commitment to play Mississippi State football felt amazing. This is a dream come true for me and my family and Mississippi State felt like home the second I got on campus, so officially being a Bulldog is an honor,” said Fisher Southall, senior.
Head football coach Tim Carter had seven players sign their commitment, each player recognized for their hard work and achievements to the team. Players signed along with Southall including Bryon Martin, Samford University; Will Cooper, Jacksonville State University; Andres Hunt; Miles College, Darryl Gilbert, Andrew College; Wesley Sandefur, Southeastern Louisiana Lions and Parks Glaze, Troy University.
“I’m most looking forward to becoming the best version of myself and growing and learning more about the game,” Cooper said.
FHS dance, soccer, golf, basketball, track and field, softball, volleyball, wrestling and cheer teams had at least one athlete sign, and coaches from each sport recognized student-athletes’ hard work and dedication. Head basketball coach Ralph Watson emphasized his admiration for Jackson Gulley as he continues his basketball career at the University of North Alabama.
“The credit goes to the kid for putting in the work, coaching simply nurtures the player and their aspirations. It is an extremely satisfying feeling to watch your players pursue a dream. In some ways it is like walking alongside your own children as they pursue a goal,” Watson said.
More signees include McClellan Allen, dance at the University of Southern Mississippi; Lynley Grace Anderson, track and field at Wallace State Community College; Ian Brown, track and field at Springhill College; Tyler Lucas, soccer at Enterprise State Community College; Addisyn Laughman, soccer at University of Mobile; Alex Herington, baseball at Coastal Alabama Community College; Abbey Stewart, golf at Huntington College; Pieter Slinkman, wrestling at John Hopkins University; Libby Rogers, volleyball at Montevallo College; Lilly Guimaran, softball at Bishop State Community College and Abby Wren, cheer at Auburn University at Montgomery.
“Officially signing with the dance team at the University of Southern Mississippi was a dream come true. I have worked countless hours and poured so much of myself into trying to earn a spot on the team, and it was so rewarding to watch all of my hard work pay off,” Allen said.
The passion and discipline each signee has for their sport speaks well of FHS’s athletic program but also shows the dedication of the student-athletes.
