Daphne, Ala. --Twenty Daphne High School student athletes were recognized for their accomplishment of making postsecondary plans to play sports at the next level on National Signing Day, …
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Daphne, Ala. --Twenty Daphne High School student athletes were recognized for their accomplishment of making postsecondary plans to play sports at the next level on National Signing Day, Feb. 6.
Surrounded by family, friends, coaches, and the Daphne High administration, the athletes signed their letters of intent to officially accept athletic scholarships offered to them by the following colleges/universities:
Mandaline Thomas (Cross Country) – University of North Alabama
o (STATISTICS):
§ 4 Time All state, 2 Time Runner of the Year, 4 Time Runner of the Week,
2018 All County Team, Best Times: Best Times: (5K) 19:24, (1 mile) 5:47, (1-mile) 2:32.
§ A/B Honor Roll Student and National Honor Society
o “Mandaline approaches academics and sports with such a high standard that it
can only result in success.” – Coach Holly Hunter
Nicole Luther (Cross Country), Auburn University-Montgomery
o (STATISTICS):
§ 2017 MVP, 2018 Runner of the Year, 2016-18 Runner of the Week (3 times),
Best Times: (5K) 19:46, (2 mile) 12:41, (1 mile) 5:51.
§ A/B Honor Roll Student and DAR Good Citizen Award.
o Nicole Luther has been dedicated to running since she was little and this dedication has taken her so far and will only take her further and to victory, according to Coach Jeremy Davis.
Tyler Bailey (Swim & Dive), University of Montevallo
o (STATISTICS):
§ 6 Time All county, 2 Time All State, 4-year Team Captain, 6-year Varsity letterman, and 5-year member of the Daphne Trojans Baseball team.
§ DHS Red Ribbon Representative.
o Tyler is excited about being a member of the Montevallo swim team. Coach Bryan Hunter says that, Tyler has “unstoppable potential” that will serve him well at the next level.
Olivia Smith (Swim & Dive), Kenyon College
o (STATISTICS):
§ AHSAA All State, County Champion, Sectional Champion, 2 Time State Champion, 6 Time Individual State Finalist, and School Record in 100 backstroke & butterfly, 200 medley, & 400 free.
§ IB Student, A+ Honor Roll Student, National Honor Society, and 4.5 GPA.
o “Olivia is a competitor at heart and will do very well at Kenyon because she will apply this to every aspect of college.” – Coach Bryan Hunter
Emily “Emmie” Smith (Swim & Dive), Grinnell College
o (STATISTICS):
§ 4 Time State Qualifier, 4 Time All County, 4 Time All Sectional, Sectional Champion, State Finalist, 4 Year Letter Winner, and School Record in 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay.
§ IB Student, A+ Honor Roll Student, NISCA Academic All American, and 4.5 GPA.
o “Emmie has a mind for academics and natural athleticism that will produce success for her and her team at Grinnell.” – Coach Bryan Hunter
Will Robinson (Swim & Dive), Fairfield University
o (STATISTICS):
§ 4 Time All State, 4 Time All County, 8 total State Medals, and School Record in 100 backstroke, 200 medley, and 400 free relay.
§ My Alpha Theta President, IB Student, A+ Honor Roll Student, and National
Honor Society.
o “Will plain and simple is an extraordinary athlete and a great young man. I have no doubt that he will excel at Fairfield.” – Coach Bryan Hunter
Emilie Hunter (Swim & Dive), University of West Florida
o (STATISTICS):
§ 4 Time All State, 4 Time All County, 4 Time Team Captain, 2016 State Champion, 2017 & 2018 NISCA All-American, holds top 4 scores in school history, and set state record twice.
§ IB Student, A+ Honor Roll Student, NISCA Academic All-American, and 3.87 GPA.
o “As a founding member of the Daphne Trojan Dive team she has set many records and standards already. I’m honored to watch her work and achieve the same in college”. – Coach Bryan Hunter (coach and father)
Tia Pickett (Basketball), Snead State Community College
o (STATISTICS):
§ 869 Total Points, 615 Total Rebounds, 152 Total Steals, 88 Total Blocks, 81 Total Assists, 4 Time All County, and 2017 & 2018 All Coastal Honorable Mention.
§ A/B Honor Roll Student, Scholar Athlete Awardee, and 3.7 GPA.
o “I will miss everything about these past few years from my teammates, to the early morning practices, and Coach Dunn getting frustrated when we mess up but I am looking forward to this next opportunity to compete at Snead.” – Tia Pickett
Maliyah Henderson (Basketball), Coastal Alabama Community College
o (STATISTICS):
§ 225 Total Points, 162 Total Rebounds, 103 Total Steals, 14 Total Blocks, 127 total Assists, 2016 All County, and also member of the Trojans Volleyball team.
§ A/B Honor Roll Student, Scholar Athlete Awardee, and 3.8 GPA.
o “Maliyah suffered a few injury setbacks the past few years but her resilience was an honor to watch and I know that it will serve her well at the next level. Extremely happy and proud of her. “– Coach Mason Dunn
Yasmin Breckenridge (Soccer), Faulkner University
o (STATISTICS):
§ 32 goals scored, 2018 All County Team, and selected to the Olympic Development Program.
§ AP Student, Peer Leader, and 3.345 GPA.
o “Yasmin is a hard worker, a really good student, and a remarkable teammate.
As an entire community, we are extremely proud of her”. – Coach Danny Santini
Marley Smith (Soccer), University of Mobile
o (STATISTICS):
§ 2019 AHSAA All Star, 2017 & 2018 All County Team, 2018 Battle of the Bay All Star, and Two-Time Offensive Player of the Year.
§ AP Student, Peer Leader, and 4.28 GPA.
o “Marley has all the keys to continue her success on a bigger level. As a team, program, and community we are thrilled to watch her continue to flourish”. –
Coach Danny Santini
James Comerford (Soccer), University of Mobile
o (STATISTICS):
§ 2019 AHSAA All Star, 2017 & 2018 All County Team, 2018 Battle of the Bay All Star, 16 goals scored, and 35 assists.
§ National Honor Society, AP Student, and Honor Roll Student.
o James is eager to get to work on and off the field and compete as a member of the Rams soccer team at the University of Mobile.
Makenzie Toxey (Volleyball), Millsaps College
o (STATISTICS):
§ This season: 106 points scored, 100 serve points, and 66 kills.
§ Mu Alpha Theta Member, A+ Honor Roll Student, National Honor Society and 4.23 GPA.
o “Makenzie was an unsung part of our success this year. She is humble, smart, and respectful, willing to do what is best for the team. Her character will carry her very”. – Coach Monique Williams
Marion Collins (Football), Harding University
o (STATISTICS):
§ 2018 Season Stats: 40 solo tackles, 6.5 sacks, 3 interceptions, 8 QB hurries, and 3 fumble & fumble recoveries.
§ 2018 All County 2nd Team Defense, 2017 Player of the Week, and 3.0 GPA.
o “I’m extremely thankful for my Mom today. She pushed me when I wanted to quit and not get up in the mornings but everything has paid off and I’m excited to play at the next level and get my degree”. – Marion Collins
Ronnie Cleveland (Football), Alabama A&M University
o (STATISTICS):
§ 2018 Season Stats: 48 solo tackles, 5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 4 QB Hurries, 2 pass deflections, 4 fumbles, and 2 touchdowns.
§ 2018 All County 1st Team Defense, 2018 All Coastal 1st Team Defense, and 3.09 GPA.
o “I’m just excited to play at the next level and to be able to continue the work to be better than great”. – Ronnie Cleveland
Nate Getch (Football), Huntingdon University
o (STATISTICS):
§ 2018 Season Stats: 42 solo tackles, 8.5 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 3 QB Hurries and 3 fumbles.
§ 2018 Star of the Game Week 10, skilled Lacrosse player, and member of the Daphne Trojans Men’s Soccer Team.
o “Nate is unstoppable when he is locked in on a goal and he was locked in on achieving his goal of getting a college scholarship. I am extremely proud of him and know that the sky is the limit for his future”. – Coach Kenny King
Diego Guajardo (Football), University of South Alabama
o (STATISTICS):
§ 2018 Season Stats: (3) 50+ field goals, (2) 52+ field goals, 45.6 yards per punt, 60 kickoffs, 45 touchbacks, 16-19 field goals, and 30-31 extra points.
§ 2017 & 2018 All County, 2017 & 2018 All Coastal 1st Team, 3-year letterman, 2016 All State Firt Team and 2018 All State Second Team.
o “I’m very thankful to the coaches that told me three years ago to convince Diego to be our kicker. He is a gifted athlete and I’m very excited to watch him succeed at South Alabama”. – Coach Kenny King
Jamar Mason (Football), Fort Scott Community College
o (STATISTICS):
§ 2018 Season Stats: 67 solo tackles, 12 QB hurries, 7 sacks, 8 pass deflections, and 4 fumbles & fumble recoveries.
§ 2018 All County-1st Team Defense, 2018 All Coastal 2nd Team Defense, and 2018 All State Honorable Mention.
o “Jamar overcame a lot these past few years and we are extremely proud of him. He was the anchor of our defense and when he combines his great disposition, natural talent, and physical dominance in college, I have no doubt he will be successful.” – Coach Kenny King
Cameron “CJ” Young (Football), Alabama A&M University
o (STATISTICS):
§ 2018 Season Stats: 1,232 total yards, 10 touchdowns, 52 catches, 60 rushes, and 8-yard average.
§ Team, Captain, 2018 All County 1st Team Offense, 2018 All Coastal 2nd Team Offense, and 2018 All State 2nd Team Offense.
o “It has always been my dream to play Division 1 football and today my dream came true. I’m blessed to be moving forward and I will continue to work hard and make everyone proud.” –Cameron “CJ” Young
Christian Williams (Football), University of Miami
o (STATISTICS):
§ 2018 Season Stats: 52 solo tackles, 8 interceptions, 7 QB hurries, 8 pass deflections, and 8 tackles for loss.
§ Team Captain, 2018 Under Armour All American, 2018 ALA-MISS All Star, 2018 All County 1st Team Defense, 2018 All Coastal First Team Defense, 2018 All State FirstTeam Defense, 2018 USA All Alabama Team.
I am grateful for these past years and I just want to influence my peers and younger classmates positively. I want them to know that if you put your mind to something you can do it”. – Christian Williams
Congratulations to these student athletes and their families.