EHS softball coach Becca Staton (right) talking about her trio of players who are going on to play in college next season - Emily Morgan, Collen Saxon and Cora Levy. Also to the far left is Green Wave senior Jonathan Welsh.
Jeff Holt | The Easley Progress
EASLEY — There were 15 student athletes from Easley High School who officially signed on to continue their athletic careers in college last week in the Green Wave Gymnasium.
EHS Athletic Director Gill Payne started it all off by saying, “This is what it’s all about. It’s a great opportunity.”
All of the coaches gave a quick speech about their athletes and proud parents filled the bleachers.
Senior Jonathan Welsh – at 6-foot-2 1/2 and 285 pounds – said his summer is going to be filled with a “whole lot of training” and weightlifting. Then, he’ll be off to play football at Wofford College and probably guard on the offensive line.
But it’s interesting to hear why some of these athletes chose their certain college, going beyond the sports part of it.
“It’s a beautiful campus,” said Welsh, with a 4.95 GPA. “I think it will also be an awesome opportunity to meet people and make connections. (I want to) progress in not only my football career, but my professional career as well.”
Listed below are other EHS seniors talking about why they chose their certain college.
Brayden Bryson (Baseball at Erskine College): “Very friendly and small. Great staff and coaches. Great environment.”
Brayden Hayes-Contreras (cc and track at Erskine College): “It felt like home. Everyone was so nice. The school was amazing!”
Lillie Goodman (Track at Mars Hill University): “The campus is beautiful. They really care about you as a person and what your goals are in life. The free campus parking is my favorite though.”
Caroline Irvin (cc and track at Anderson University): “I like the campus and Christian school.”
Cora Levy (Softball at Gardner-Webb University): “Gardner-Webb felt like the right fit from the first camp I went to. After my visit, I knew for sure that GWU was where I needed to be. Gardner Webb offers a wonderful opportunity for me to become an OT. I am blessed to be part of such a great team and university.”
Meya McKinney (Track at Francis Marion University): “I love how the campus looks, atmosphere is great. It feels like home too.”
Gianna Nalley (Cheer at Erskine College): “Erskine is a small friendly Christian college. The coach was very friendly and the campus felt like home.”
Other seniors from EHS making that big leap to play sports in college …
Callen Saxon (Softball at Gardner-Webb University)
Emily Morgan (Softball at the University of South Carolina Beaufort)
Jermeya McKinney (Track at Francis Marion University)
Brenden Martin (Track & Field at Lees-McRae College)
Kaleb Owens (Baseball at Anderson University)
Peyton Anders (Baseball at Southern Wesleyan University)
Levi Recio (Baseball at Erskine College)
Cole Davis (Baseball at Southern Wesleyan University)
Reach Jeff Holt at 864-855-0355.