One of the most important milestones in many high school athletic careers comes when a college scholarship offer is signed, sealed and delivered. Plant City-area athletes got to share the experience with their classmates Wednesday through National Signing Day ceremonies.
Plant City High School hosted the first event of the day at 8 a.m. as students packed the school’s auditorium to watch Austin Eldridge, Jordan Wiggins, Lindsey Bowden and Holly Eddins sign their letters of intent. The school also had five athletes sign in November and expects more to come for a similar signing event scheduled for April.
Strawberry Crest students went to the cafeteria shortly after 2 p.m. to watch Derek Barone, Damien Torres, Luz Cruz, Abigale DeVane, Celismar Guzman, Taylor Finney and Celia Higgins get ready for their next chapter. With seven athletes participating, Crest had the highest National Signing Day total of any participating area school.
Durant High School does not host National Signing Day events, but six Cougars have signed with colleges during the 2017-18 school year.
DURANT
2017-18 school year signings:
Justin Cooks — Florida A&M University (Football)
Cameron Myers — University of Central Arkansas (Football)
David Tabakovic — Quincy University (Football)
Kalyb Vazquez — Jacksonville University (Football)
Taylor Doiron — North Greenville University (Lacrosse)
Katie Vasiloff — University of Tennessee (Swimming)
PLANT CITY
National Signing Day:
Austin Eldridge — Central Arkansas University (Football)
Jordan Wiggins — Quincy University (Football)
Lindsey Bowden — Lees-McRae College (Soccer)
Holly Eddins — Southeastern University (Soccer)
November signings:
Jonathan Simpson — Toccoa Falls College (Baseball)
Mackenzie Steele — Florida Southern College (Basketball)
Taylor Dedmen — Austin Peay State University (Golf)
Alexis Moore — Florida Southwestern State College (Softball)
Rebekah Schulte — Florida Southern College (Softball)
STRAWBERRY CREST
National Signing Day:
Derek Barone — Hillsborough Community College (Baseball)
Damien Torres — Florida Southwestern State College (Baseball)
Luz Cruz — Hillsborough Community College (Basketball)
Abigale DeVane — Savannah College of Art & Design (Fishing)
Celismar Guzman — University of Florida (Swimming)
Taylor Finney — St. Johns River State College (Softball)
Celia Higgins — Florida Southern College (Softball)