The last of CCHS’ senior student-athletes signed to their respective colleges on Thursday, May 11, marking for the end of the signing days for the 2017-2018 school year.
Athletic director Paul Megna was at the head of the event for the signing of lacrosse player Crystal Williams, football player Brandon Rivers and softball players Abby Cowart and Bridgette Tuxbury. Dozens of family members, friends and teammates gathered in the auditorium at 3:15 to celebrate their signings.
Williams, who signed to the University of Montevallo in central Alabama for lacrosse, said that the college’s coach emailed her after seeing her at a recruiting tournament over the summer. She later committed to the liberal arts college after visiting. Williams has been playing lacrosse for four years at CCHS.
“It’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me,” she said. “I’ve met a lot of great people, done a lot of great things, become a better person because of it.”
Brandon Rivers, the football team’s defensive tackle and guard, signed to Husson University in Bangor, Maine but committed in late March.
Rivers expressed his excitement on Twitter the day of his official commitment, reflecting upon his early days playing football for the Cooper City recreation league Optimist and thanking his family, friends and coaches.
Blessed to finally say that i have Committed to Husson University #GoEagles pic.twitter.com/3t4NA78jTj
— Brandon Rivers (@BrandonRivers_) March 29, 2018
Softball players Cowart and Bridgette signed to Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park and Broward College in South Florida, respectively.
Cowart has spent the last two years of her athletic career at CCHS on the varsity team, before that playing junior varsity for two years. On May 11, the CCHS softball team beat St. Thomas Aquinas to advance onto the state level in Vero Beach, breaking St. Thomas Aquinas’ five-year streak of attending states.
“I am also so thankful to have spent the last two years playing with my team and wouldn’t have wanted anyone else to end my last year with,” Cowart said. “I am excited for my next four years of college softball at Washington Adventist University, and I am very lucky to be going with my best friend Kassandra Espinosa. I can’t wait to see where the next four years will take me.”
Megna took the opportunity to speak to the audience about the perseverance of the seniors signing and their character during their time as a CCHS athlete, expressing his pride in the four seniors at the table.
“[Perseverance] is what makes you guys special athletes,” he said. “That’s what makes you what you are today. That’s why we’re so proud of you.”
Photo by Sabrine Brismeur
