Moving to the next level

National Signing Day took place Wednesday, Feb. 6, with a total of 13 Cherokee County students from three different schools participating.

Two football players from Rusk High School signed their letters of intent on National Signing Day.

Jermaine Lewis will be attending Trinity Valley Community College and BJ Johnson signed with Hardin Simmons.

Seven student athletes from Jacksonville High School participated in National Signing Day.

Three ladies signed to play soccer including Citalli Medellin and Marina Villanueave, both signed with Jacksonville College, and Alexia Moreier, who will be attending Tyler Junior College.

Raul Arredondo, also set to play collegiate soccer, signed with Jacksonville College.

Three football players also signed their letters of intent including Deshawn McCuin, Texas Christian University; Ke’Shoddrevun Fuller, Louisiana College; and TJ Ratliffe, Oklahoma Baptist University.

“These kids have put in a lot of hard work, not just on the fields where they excel, but in all the off-season training that they do,” athletic director Wayne Coleman stated at the Jacksonville signing.

“To be honest with you we have kids every year that are as talented but don’t take care of their academics, so kudos to these guys for doing their job in the classroom and excelling and being great examples for the rest of our school,” Coleman concluded.

Four athletes from Troup High School took part in National Signing Day.

Emily Neel signed with Stephen F. Austin to run cross-country and track.

Natalie Davenport signed with LeTourneau University to play volleyball.

Two football players also took part with Cade Jones signing with Cisco College and Malik Gilliam with Northeastern State.