DAPHNE, Alabama — Daphne High held a National Signing Day ceremony for four football players, a baseball player and a swimmer Wednesday at Trojan Hall.

Daphne athletic director Glenn Vickery introduced the seniors who all thanked their coaches, parents, teammates and God. Vickery said the variety of sports represented was an indication of the general strength of Daphne High athletics.

“It takes a lot of people involved in this to get so many kids a chance to help themselves and their parents financially with college,” he said. “It’s not just a coach thing or a student-athlete thing. The counselors who send in transcripts and help support the kids through the process work hard. Obviously, it’s a compliment to our community, too, whenever students can be elevated to this level.”

The first student-athlete to sign her National Letter of Intent was Lauren Kinsey who signed to swim for Birmingham Southern College. DHS swim coach Bryan Hunter said Kinsey is an outstanding student and leader as well as an International Baccalaureate scholar who was rewarding to coach.

“She has been All-County and All-State for four years in a row and she’s is one of the pillars that has helped build the swimming program at Daphne High School,” he said. “And I suspect she is going to be one of the pillars that help start the swimming program at Birmingham Southern. She’s just an all-around model student-athlete that Daphne High School and the whole community can be proud of.”

Kinsey, the Lady Trojans Team Captain for 2010, has been an Elite Eight (Fastest 8 in the state) 6A finisher the last four years and was in the Top-Three competitors in Baldwin County.

Daphne baseball outfielder/pitcher standout Brandon Peterson signed with Southern Union Community College.

Trojan head baseball coach Joe Hutchins said the fit for Peterson and Southern Union was mutually beneficial.

“Brandon is what high-school athletics is all about. He’s a great student athlete and he’s been a part of our program for — Well this will be his fifth year. He had the opportunity to play out of state but wanted to stay in state. A lot of schools wanted him and have called, but Southern Union is an outstanding junior college and I think he made a good decision there. 

“What sets him apart from most is even though he had to sit out, he still showed up every game and was a leader to the younger players.”

A four-year baseball letterman as a sophomore, Peterson went 7-2 with a .091 era, a .400 batting average and had 15 doubles in 2010.

Although he missed most of 2011 with a torn labrum, he managed to go 3-1 with a .196 era and batted .450. His single-season era of .091 is the second best in team history and his 15 doubles is the reigning DHS single-season team record.

Vickery, who is also the head football coach at DHS, said there would probably be other football signings for seniors of 2012 in the coming weeks.

Football players signing included Preston Hughes, 5’-11”, 185, who chose Jackson State University. As a defensive back, Hughes had three interceptions, seven passes broken up  and 52 tackles. He was an All-County, All-Region Second Team and Trojan Player of the Week selection.

Torren McGaster, 6”, 190, signed with Vanderbilt University. As a defensive back, he was named All-State Second Team, All-County, ASWA All-State Honorable Mention. McGaster finished with 37 tackles  two interceptions, three blocked kicks and seven passes broken up.

Center/Offensive Linemen Nic Morgan, 5'-10, 265 , chose Faulkner University. He was an All County Team selection and Trojan Player of the Week twice, Alma Bryant and Opelika.

Offensive Linemen Jeremy Sparks, 6'-3”, 245,  decided on Louisiana Lafayette University. A permanent  team  captain and three-year starter, he is also an All-County Football Team selection.

Vickery also spoke of early 2012 graduates Ryan Anderson, Eric Lee and T. J. Yeldon who could not be present. Yeldon and Anderson are already enrolled at the University of Alabama and Lee is in his first semester at the University of South Florida.  Each qualified academically to enroll and sign early.

Ryan Anderson, 6’ 3” 260,  University of Alabama. Defensively versatile as a defensive back, linebacker and lineman. Anderson is a Permanent Team Captain, a High School All American, All State 1st Team, Alabama Football Super 12 honoree, All-County and Football Team Trojan Player of the Week against Theodore. He collected 104 tackles, 20 behind the line for a loss, 13 Sacks and two hurries.

Eric Lee, 6’-4” 245,  University of South Florida, Defensive Lineman A Permanent Team Captain, Lee was named All-County Football Team, All State Second Team and Trojan Player of the Week against Theodore. 

T.J. Yeldon, 6’-2”, 215, University of Alabama, A Permanent Team Captain, Yeldon received the state’s high-school equivalent of the Heisman Trophy recently when he was voted by the Alabama Sports Writers Association Mr. Football for 2012. He rushed for 5743 total career yards, carried for 72 touchdowns and caught 31 TD passes.