The Catawba Ridge Copperheads held a signing ceremony on National Signing Day for their biggest group yet.
The event held Wednesday, Feb. 7 in The Arena saw 17 student athletes commit to the college of their choice. The signing was the fourth one the school has had and represented five sports and all three state championships the Copperheads have won in the past nine months.
“It is an exciting day,” said Catawba Ridge athletic director Rick Lewis. “These guys and ladies have finished really strong.”
Of those signing were six baseball players, four girls’ soccer players, two softball players, three runners (track and cross country), swimming and dance.
Baseball players signing were Aiden Cattarin (Florence-Darlington Tech), Peyton Dhein (Virginia Military Institute), Brennan Helms (Francis Marion University), Jackson Mullen (College of Charleston), Owen Noonan (Winthrop University), and Ben Wilson (Coker University). All six were part of the 4A state baseball championship last spring.
“We have had some early success and this group has been instrumental,” said Copperheads’ head baseball coach Stas Swerdzewski. “These guys love to compete. These guys hate to lose and it doesn’t matter what they are doing. It has been a pleasure to coach this group.”
The four soccer players were Kyleen Bents (East Carolina University), Sadie Commerford (East Tennessee State University), Peyton Pierson (Mars Hill University), and Sarah Sexton (Furman University).
“It is a privilege to coach these fantastic ladies,” said Copperheads’ head girls soccer coach Joe Dority. “We are proud of these athletes.”
The two softball players for Catawba Ridge were Audrey Wilson (UNC-Charlotte) and Chloe Burger (USC-Upstate), both of which were part of the 4A state softball championship last spring.
“They are definitely the backbone of the team and lead by example,” said Copperheads’ head softball coach Michael Kidd. “They don’t want to take any time off. They have put in the work.”
The lone swimmer was Jake Root who is going to Lynn University.
“Jake is an incredible leader,” said Copperheads’ head swim coach Claire Stein. “He leads by example. Any coach would love to have Jake.”
The runners were Amelia Nifong, who is going to Columbia College, and Olivia Dubrow, who is going to Lehigh University, both for track. Dominic Rigoni is heading to Francis Marion University for cross-country and was part of the 4A state championship team this past fall.
Catawba Ridge dancer Hailey Smith is heading to Erskine College.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
