On May 18, Manual held its final signing day of the year. A total of 17 athletes committed to play their respective sport at a collegiate level. The sports include track and field, bowling, basketball, dance, soccer, diving, wrestling, football and field hockey.
Signing for men’s track and field was Calvin Brooks (HSU, 12). He will continue his athletic career at Lindsey Wilson College.
“I’m so grateful to be able to run for Manual,” Brooks said. He then thanked Lindsey Wilson College for opportunity to continue his athletic career and his parents as well as his coaches for all the support over the years. He finished his speech by thanking God for his ability to run and for helping him grow.
Evan Owens (HSU, 12) also committed to continue his track and field career. He will be attending Morehead State University.
“It was a really tough decision,” Owens said. He thanked God for helping him run and allowing him the chance to continue running in college. He thanked his parents for supporting him and getting him to early morning practices. He then thanked his coaches and Athletic Director David Zuberer for making his experience with track so great.
Erica Greer (YPAS, 12) also signed with Lindsey Wilson College for track and field.
“Since I was younger, I’ve always been pushed to improve and I think this step is pushing me to be better as well,” Greer said. She thanked her coaches and teammates for helping her to become a better athlete. She also thanked the haters for giving her a reason to run.
Manual had one athlete that signed for bowling, Jordyn McAlmont (HSU, 12). She will continue bowling at the University of Pikeville.
“Thank you to my teammates for every memory, high five and DuPont Manual,” McAlmont said.
Manual had multiple athletes sign to continue playing basketball at a collegiate level, one of which was London Bibb (HSU, 12). She will continue playing at Spalding University.
“I just really wanna thank God for letting me be in this position right now,” Bibb said. She also thanked her family, friends and teammates for all the support over the years and helping her get to this point.
Brooklyn Davis (HSU, 12) also signed to continue her basketball career. She will play at Vincennes University.
“I would like to thank those that helped me throughout my high school basketball career,” Brooklyn Davis (HSU, 12) said.
Dashawn McGee (HSU, 12) will continue playing basketball at the University of Indiana, Southeast.
During his speech, he thanked his mom for being his biggest supporter and making sure he always had what he needed. He also thanked his teammates and coaches for the great experience he had at Manual and how they helped him grow as a person.
Also continuing his athletic career is Geoffrey Njogu (HSU, 12). He will be playing basketball at Brescia University.
“I’m very excited for the opportunities ahead,” Njogu said.
Ahmad Shleton (12, HSU) was not in attendance for the signing ceremony, but he will continue his basketball career at Berea College.
The Dazzlers two seniors this year have both committed to continue dancing. Addison Clark (YPAS, 12) signed to Bellarmine University.
“I’m just really excited to be joining Bellarmine’s Dance Team,” Clark said. She thanked her teachers and her teammates for helping her grow as a dancer and a person. She then thanked her family. She emphasized her gratitude to her mom as her role model and biggest supporter.
Semaiah Robertson (YPAS, 12) signed to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
“I first wanna thank the UofN coaches and all the coaches who have helped me over the past 13 years,” Robertson said. She thanked her family and teammates for all the support and how they have pushed to grow as a dancer and person over the years.
Manual had two soccer players sign at the senior ceremony, Abdel Bandaras (HSU, 12) and Cole Seraphine (HSU, 12). Bandaras has committed to play for the University of Indianapolis.
“I’m really excited to continue my athletic and academic career at UofI,” Bandaras said.
Seraphine signed with Bellarmine University.
“First of all, I wanna thank my family for the countless sacrifices they’ve made over the years,” Seraphine said.
McKayla Springfield (HSU, 12) was the only athlete continuing her athletic career is diving. She committed to Howard University.
“I wanna thank God for getting me here and healing my many injuries over the years,” Springfield said. She then expressed her gratitude for her family for helping her keep going during hard times.
The Allen twins, Darien (HSU, 12) and Devin (HSU, 12) both committed to Campbellsville University. They will continue playing football and wrestling.
“To my coaches, you all helped me grow as not only an athlete, but a person,” Darien Allen said.
“I wanna thank my family and my mom especially because she made sure I had everything that I needed,” Devin Allen said.
Naomi Fields (J&C, 12) committed to Saint Louis University to continue playing field hockey.
“I’ve torn my ACL twice, and I never thought this day would come. To be in this moment is huge,” Fields said.
After the ceremony the athlete were given time to celebrate with their friends and family.
