Collier Co. Signing Day: Barron Collier, FBA, Naples, Neumann, Seacrest athletes make choices
Here's a roundup of the National Letter of Intent signing ceremonies held by Collier County high schools on Wednesday, Nov. 9.
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BARRON COLLIER
Two Barron Collier volleyball players are headed to the collegiate level.
Barron Collier hitter Keira Kruk and middle blocker Scarlett Martz both signed letters of intent Wednesday afternoon. Kruk is heading to Berry College, while Martz will be going to Gardner-Webb.
Keira Kruk
Sport: Volleyball
College: Berry College
Why Berry College?: "It's super exciting. I had a lot of obstacles my freshman year to now. I was able to get over them and I'm so happy I'm in the position that I am right now. Being committed, and having it all done with is just really nice. I'm obviously really happy to go to Berry, and next year's fall, but I still have some things to take care of this weekend."
Scarlett Martz
Sport: Volleyball
College: Gardner-Webb University
Why Gardner-Webb?: "The campus was absolutely beautiful, and every single person I met there was so sweet and so nice. The players and the coaches I met were so genuinely nice. It was a really nice environment."
FIRST BAPTIST
Katie Beam has attended First Baptist since pre-Kindergarten and spent nine years running for the varsity cross country and track teams and qualified for the state meet in 21 events and counting between the sports. But all things must come to an end (almost, there's still track season) and with a stroke of a pen Beam committed to running at Lee University, a private Christian University in Cleveland, Tennessee, on Wednesday. She plans to get her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and pursue a master's degree in Nutrition.
Katie Beam
Sport: Cross Country, Track and Field
College: Lee University
Why Lee?: "I had lots of great offers that made it hard to decide but I really found the best fit to be at Lee University. They really checked all my boxes and more. Lee is a nationally ranked, Christian school in the southeast. I was able to form great relationships with Coach (Caleb) Morgan and the girls on the team. Their team culture was something I could easily envision myself being a part of as they all have a vision and set goals. Everyone at Lee has a genuine love for the school and I can’t wait to become a Flame!"
NAPLES
Naples High School Havana Layton has always had a tough time choosing her favorite sport. Is it swimming or track?
Well, after her selection of colleges on Wednesday morning, she won’t have to make that choice.
Layton, fresh off her team’s fourth-place finish in the state finals, signed a letter of intent for the University of Vermont, as one of five Golden Eagle athletes signing on the National Signing Day in a brief ceremony at Naples High School.
“Vermont will allow me to do both with ease,” Layton said. “Vermont is a great Division I place, and it is a really cool city (Burlington).”
Sabyne Brisson
Sport: Swimming
College: Georgia Tech
Why Georgia Tech?: “This decision makes me happy,” said Brisson, who won the state title in the 100 breaststroke last weekend. “I love the support of the coach and the team there. It’s going to be great athletically and academically.”
Michael Graziano
Sport: Baseball
College: Georgia Tech
Why Georgia Tech?: “I am choosing Georgia Tech because they’ve got the best baseball coach in the country. And it is not too far from home.”
Havana Layton
Sport: Swimming, Track and Field
College: Vermont
Why Vermont?: “I chose it because I really like the team. I will be able to do swimming and track, not indoor track early in the season, but the outdoor season.”
Oliver Marshall
Sport: Golf
College: Hillsdale College
Why Hillsdale College?: “Hillsdale is a great academic school. I am excited because I could possibly start as a freshman. I can contribute right away.”
Reilly Witmer
Sports: Baseball
College: University of Florida
Why Florida?: “I think this is a great choice. UF is the best baseball school in the country.”
ST. JOHN NEUMANN
Two teammates are headed to play for the same school come next fall.
Carter White and Tyler Kozera announced their intentions to sign with UCF to play for the Knights. Both played under Charlie Maurer last year at Barron Collier.
White was a Naples Daily News Baseball Player of the Year finalist after hitting .351 with nine extra-base hits, 18 RBI, 19 runs scored, 14 walks, and 13 stolen bases with an on-base percentage of .461.
Kozera was a key piece in the Barron Collier bullpen that allowed just over 3.5 runs per game last season.
Tyler Kozera
Sport: Baseball
College: UCF
Why UCF?: "They showed general interest. They went above and beyond for me, especially on the visits. I just love the program and what they do for their pitchers. I feel like I'll fit there."
Carter White
Sport: Baseball
College: UCF
Why UCF?: "All the coaches there are great humans. They're great coaches and they know what they're talking about. It just felt very welcoming there as soon as I stepped on campus, and the athletics and everything is getting upgraded. We're moving into the Big 12 conference next year, so everything's stepping up."
SEACREST
Two players from last year's state championship volleyball team put pen to paper Wednesday afternoon, as middle blocker Carole Ann Hussey inked with Newberry, while Breanah Rives chose Missouri State.
Both Hussey and Rives have played large roles in the Stingrays' success this season. Rives is first on the team with 327 kills, while Hussey has 168 kills, 51 blocks, and a .437 hitting percentage. Both the blocks and hitting percentage lead the team currently.
Carole Ann Hussey
Sport: Volleyball
College: Newberry (SC)
Why Newberry: “It was definitely the community that mirrored Seacrest’s. It was the coach. I love the coach (Ross Kessler). He’s a very ambitious guy. He has a lot of dreams for the program. I’m part of a building process, he calls it, and I just love the girls. I love the smallness of the school. It checked all the categories I was looking for, and that was a strong community, good coaching, and something I can adapt to and make it my home.”
Breanah Rives
Sport: Volleyball
College: Missouri State
Why Missouri State?: "A lot of things drove me to Missouri State. First off, the coaching staff and the amazing girls, and the community they have. It's kind of like Seacrest. I feel at home. It was an environment where I wanted to feel at home. I went to a lot of schools, but when I went to Missouri State, I knew it was my place. God was calling me there. I just felt this secure feeling."
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Letter of Intent Signing Day for Naples area high schools
