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Locals join athletes around the country in celebrating on National Signing Day
By DEVIN HASSON, dhasson@starlocalnews.com
Thousands of high school athletes took part in National Signing Day ceremonies on Wednesday, each with their own special story.
There were more than 50 football players that signed letters of intent from the Mesquite ISD schools, Rowlett and Sachse, and several more athletes made their decisions official in soccer, track, baseball and softball.
Nearly every school held a ceremony at the school, and the Garland ISD schools then held a district-wide ceremony on Wednesday afternoon at the Curtis Culwell Center.
Mesquite cornerback Anthony Canady was one of the top-rated recruits in the area prior to the start of the 2012 season.
Canady orally committed to Rice, but had several other schools that remained interested.
But Canady suffered an injury during 7-on-7 play last summer and was expected to miss the entire season.
As he stayed off the field rehabilitating, the attention from colleges waned. Canady beat doctor's prognostications and was able to return to the field for the Skeeters in the final week of the regular season.
Upon his return, colleges began to express an interest once again, but Canady stayed true to the program that stayed true to him, signing with Rice on Wednesday.
"They stuck by me the entire time when everybody else just stopped calling," Canady said. "I'm excited about getting down there."
Horn's Green has winding road end with the Owls
Like many athletes, Horn linebacker D.J. Green experienced his share of ups and downs. At one time, Green verbally committed to Baylor, but that relationship did not last until signing day.
After visiting Rice two weeks ago, Green made an oral commitment and he made it official on Wednesday.
Green is one of eight Jaguar football players to sign letters of intent.
Trio of track and field athletes headed to big programs
This area has produced a number of standout track and field athletes in recent years, from Rowlett's Marquise Goodwin (Texas) to Dallas Christian's Skye Dawson (TCU).
A trio of local signees on Wednesday are hoping to make their mark on the collegiate track and field landscape.
Rowlett's Travia Jones, a bronze medalist in the 400 meters at the state meet last year, signed with LSU.
Sunnyvale's Andi Morgan, who placed third in the 100 hurdles at the state meet a year ago, inked with Texas Tech.
West Mesquite's Raashaan Reason, a former AAU national record holder, also signed with Texas Tech.
Three soccer signees to become conference rivals
Among the local soccer players who signed on Wednesday, three are headed to the Big 12.
Poteet's Kaylah Hunter, who already has 15 goals this season, signed with Baylor, Sachse's Natalie Calhoun is headed to Oklahoma State and Rowlett's Meagan McCullough is going to Texas Tech.
Skeeters come a long way in one season
A year ago, Mesquite had one player, Kavaski Ervin, sign to play college football. Prior to the start of the season, only one player, Anthony Canady, had a scholarship offer.
But after an 11-1 season, the Skeeters had one of their largest classes ever as 18 players signed letters of intent. Among that group were Division I signees Canady (Rice), Rashard Higgins (Colorado State), Javon Jones (Arkansas State) and Dameon Gamblin (New Mexico).
Arkansas Tech establishes a local presence
The city of Russellville, Ark., will get an infusion of Texans this fall as Arkansas Tech attracted several local products.
Mesquite's Joseph Holmes, Quincy Peyton and Marlin Simmons and Traa Strong, West Mesquite's Nick Akins and Horn's Brian O'Bannon all signed up to become teammates next season.
That group, whose teams all made the playoffs and combined for a record of 27-8, will try to turn around an Arkansas Tech team that went 5-6 last season.
Sachse trio to stay together at Southern Nazarene
Sachse seniors Kantrell Hunter, Isaiah Smith and Austin Williams helped make history as the Mustangs made the first two playoff appearances in school history.
Now, that trio is hoping to make similar history at the next level. On Wednesday, Hunter, Smith and Williams all signed letters of intent to play at Southern Nazarene (Okla.) University, which posted a 2-9 record last season.
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