D-1 student-athletes put pen to paper on National Signing Day
TRI-CITIES, Tenn. (WJHL) — Wednesday was a big day for student-athletes around the country who wanted to keep playing their favorite sport on the collegiate level. It was National Signing Day, and this area was well represented with D-1 athletes putting pen to paper.
We’ll begin in Elizabethton, where the Cyclones’ Mason Ball decided to stay close to home. Ball, who played defensive end and tight end, will stick to the defensive side of the ball and play D-end at ETSU. He was drawn to Tre Lamb and that new staff that came over in the offseason, as they place an emphasis on developing young guys and doing what it takes to win ball games.
Plus, it’s a pretty short trip for friends and family to see the former Cyclone standout at William B. Greene Jr. Stadium.
In Jonesborough, Adrian Wynn signed his name on the dotted line, committing to play football at the Division 1 FCS level with Western Illinois. The two-way player said this has been a dream of his since he was 8: playing at a big school on a big stage.
He joins a group of fewer than 10 student-athletes in David Crockett’s football history to sign for a Division 1 program. He said that being in such an elite company still hasn’t quite sunk in yet.
Just outside Viking Hall, Thatcher Hutton, looking sharp in the bowtie, also made his Division 1 football commitment, officially signing on to play with Presbyterian College.
Hutton said the campus and program felt like home when he took his visit a few weeks ago. He’ll compete for the punting job – after serving in that role for just two seasons with the Vikings; today he expressed just how grateful he is for everyone who helped him along his kicking journey.
In Kingsport this afternoon, Dobyns-Bennett track and cross country star Luke Mussard with family and friends looking on signed a national letter of intent with Wake Forest. Mussard, who earned all-state honors, recorded the highest finish at the TSSAA state cross-country championships in 33 years with his third-place finish in Class AAA.
In Johnson City, Science Hill track star Will Hagermeir was also putting pen to paper when he signed with Rice this afternoon. The Hilltopper set a personal record in the pole vault with a clearance of 15 feet and 6 inches, he’s an all-American and 4-time state indoor and outdoor.
This afternoon in Abingdon, the Falcons’ Rives Boltwood signed a national letter of intent to continue his career at Furman University. Boltwood finished runner-up and one second off of his personal best at the state tournament and led Abingdon to a fourth-place finish. The Falcons had won the last two team titles.
Joining him in the Southern Conference will be his teammate Amana Ferrante, however, she signed a national letter of intent with Chattanooga. In the state meet she finished fourth to lead the Lady Falcons.
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