High School Recruiting: Forest, Vanguard student-athletes sign DI, DII letters of intent

Allen Pettigrew Jr., Ocala Star-Banner
·2 min read
Kaleigh Cato signs to Lander University for acrobatics and tumbling
Kaleigh Cato signs to Lander University for acrobatics and tumbling

Vanguard and Forest student athletes had heartfelt national letter of intent signings this week.

Forest's Kaleigh Cato successfully signed her letter of intent to Division II Lander University Wednesday night at Balcony Sports. She will join the women's acrobatics and tumbling team at the Greenwood, S.C. school.

“The coach and team there felt most like my home town gym than any other college ... They’re all like family,” Cato said.

The sport is relatively new at the college level. Its inaugural season was 2009 with just six schools fielding teams.

Cato has a unique story to go along with her signing. She’ll make history as the first collegiate athlete in her family and the first Forest student to compete in the sports.

On top of that, she’s signed her letter of intent in less than a calendar year after learning about it. Her gymnastics background sped up the transition to acrobatics and tumbling. She’ll be joining Forest’s competitive cheer team as a first year varsity participant.

Rhema Taylor signs to Troy University for Track and Field
Rhema Taylor signs to Troy University for Track and Field

On Friday evening, Vanguard hosted a signing day in the school cafeteria. Track and field standout Rhema Taylor signed her letter of intent to Division I Troy University in front of her cross country teammates, coaches and family.

Taylor made it to the State Track Meet every year she took part in cross country and track and field. She placed 47th in the latest state championship cross country meet with a personal best 20:16.1. She’s finished as high as second in the 4x400 in the FHSAA track and field state meet.

Taylor found about Troy from NCSA while looking for schools. When Troy reached out to her, she felt an ease and friendliness from the first conversation with the coach.

“There was nothing I didn’t like about the school. The class sizes are perfect and the team is great,” Taylor said.

The middle and long distance runner will study social work at Troy.

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Forest students Rhema Taylor, Kaleigh Cato sign letters of intent