The Nation Ford Falcons had nine athletes commit to participate in college athletics during their first signing ceremony of the academic year.
Nation Ford had two swimmers, two volleyball players, two soccer players, a runner, a softball and baseball player all commit Wednesday.
Soccer
The two soccer players signing were Katelyn Carroll, who committed to Mississippi State University, and Mia Mitchell, who is going to the University of Maryland.
Carroll has been a varsity soccer player for Nation Ford since her freshman year, and also played basketball her freshman and sophomore years. In her sophomore and junior year on the pitch, she was awarded All-Region and All-State honors and has recorded more than 200 saves in two full seasons she has played. Carroll will be leaving to go to Mississippi State in January after graduating early.
Mitchell has played on varsity teams for the Falcons her sophomore year and was injured her junior year. As a sophomore, she was an All-Region selection and ended the season with six goals and eight assists. She played with the U20 Jamaica Women’s National team in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers this past February.
Volleyball
The two volleyball players signing are Chelsea Gilmore to the US Military Academy at West Point and Kennedy Martin to the University of Florida.
Gilmore had 23 aces and 217 kills to go with 32 blocks and 63 digs for Nation Ford in the 2022 season. She is a North-South All-Star selection for the North team and an All-Region member for this season.
“She brought us leadership and experience,” said Nation Ford head volleyball coach Craig Brown.
Martin had 39 aces and 586 kills to go with 49 blocks and 225 digs in the 2022 season. A North-South All-Star selection and All-State selection this season, she was ranked 24th in the country in 2020 and was a member of the 2019 state champion Falcons team.
“She over exceeded my expectations with the type of person she is,” Brown said.
Swimming
Emily Eaton will be heading to the University of South Carolina and Mackenzie Riga will be heading to Providence College as both of them will be continuing their aquatics career.
Eaton is a two-time state champion in the pool winning the 100-yard freestyle this past season and was part of the 200-yard free relay in 2021. She is a six-time All-State swimmer and has been swimming for the Falcons for the past four seasons.
“We are very blessed to have Emily on our team from seventh grade to 12th,” said Lori Glasco, Nation Ford swim coach. “She is a very determined lady. She is going to do great things.”
Riga has been a member of the swim team for the past six seasons. She is a three-time All-State swimmer and a seven-time All-Region swimmer.
“She is a very hard worker,” Glasco said. “She brings great leadership and we know she is going to do awesome.”
Baseball
Luke Keller is committing to Coker University and led the varsity team last season in on-base percentage and walks. He hit .329 with 17 RBIs, which tied for first on the team last season. He was also named offensive player of the year last year for the Falcons.
Softball
Emma Skovran will be heading to Coastal Carolina to play softball. She was the offensive player of the year last season for the Falcons and was an All-Region team member as well.
“She brings a lot of energy to our team,” Brown said, who is also the Falcons softball coach in the spring.
Track
Olicia Lucas will be running short and mid-distances at the University of Iowa and has been participating in track since she was 7-years-old. She has developed into an All-American in both the 200 and 400-meters. She is a 2021 AAU National Champion in the 400-meters and an All-American in the 100-meters as well. This is her first year at the school after moving to the district.
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
