Outstanding Athletes Sign to Colleges
April 25, 2022
Fianna Steves
Southern Wesleyan University, Soccer
How did you start playing and how long have you been playing?
I started playing because my parents signed me up. I’ve been playing since I was 3 and I started playing club when I was 8. I played in NY for East Islip, Phoenix. I moved to South Carolina in 2018 and started playing on the team at Socastee in the spring season of 2019.
What strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?
I believe I’m very committed. I go to every practice and I always give my all. I’m also dependable and you can always count on me to do what needs to be done and I hustle every practice and game until it’s over even if we are losing badly.
Do you plan to play professionally or beyond college?
I do plan to play professionally because I really enjoy soccer and even though I play other sports soccer is definitely my main sport.
Do you know what you want to study in college?
I plan to study Criminal Justice because it honestly just seems interesting and I have a passion to help people.
Do you have any shout outs or people who contributed to helping you reach your goals?
My coaches, parents and teammates have been a big part of my career. They have helped me learn from my mistakes and grow as an athlete, as well as a person.
Maddux Smith
North Greenville University, Baseball
How did you start playing and how long have you been playing?
I’ve been playing for 15 years. My dad played baseball his whole life and he was my coach up until now, but I started playing when I was in tee-ball and my team was the tigers.
What strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?
I’m a hard worker. I come in early and stay late. I also believe myself to be a selfless person and I encourage my teammates and help them as best as I can.
Do you plan to play professionally or beyond college?
I would like to play professionally after college. I will work as hard as I can to reach that goal, but I plan to follow whatever God has for me whether it be professional or coaching.
Do you know what you want to study in college?
I want to study sports management. My dad and I have always talked about my majoring in it because I would like to open an indoor hitting facility and teach people how to play baseball.
Do you have any shout outs or people who contributed to helping you reach your goals?
I would like to shout out my dad for pushing me throughout the years to do better, and Coach Duarty for being a positive influence on and off the baseball field.
Madison Strichek
Brunswick Community College, Softball
How did you start playing and how long have you been playing?
I’ve been playing since kindergarten. It’s kinda a family thing. My dad and grandpa played baseball and my sister and I as well. I started playing travel in 6th grade and I play on a travel ball team now for the Lady Crocs. It’s my dad’s team.
What strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?
Being coachable because if I make a mistake I listen to my coaches to better myself. I also believe my work ethic makes me a better athlete.
Do you plan to play professionally or beyond college?
I don’t believe I will play professionally even though I would like to, it’s really hard to get there. I might coach later in the future but I plan to further my medical career so I don’t think I would have time for softball.
Do you know what you want to study in college?
I would like to study Health Science. I would like to do something in the medical field. I’m just not sure of the specific position quite yet.
Do you have any shout outs or people who contributed to helping you reach your goals?
I would like to shout out my parents and Coach Hodge.
Lauryn Dixon
Erskine College, Lacrosse
How did you start playing and how long have you been playing?
I started playing lacrosse when I was introduced to it by my sixth grade teacher who was the assistant coach at the high school. She told me they needed more players and I was ready to try something new, so I went out and ended up loving it. I’ve been playing for six years now.
What strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?
I think my strengths are that I don’t give up because I am very determined to get what I want and I’m always willing to get better. I take any advice I get to help me grow as an athlete.
Do you plan to play professionally or beyond college?
I don’t plan to play after college, because I’ll be moving on to Vet School and putting all my time into that.
Do you know what you want to study in college?
I want to study Pre Vet Medicine when I’m in college and I’ll be majoring in biology as well. I’ve wanted to be a veterinarian since I was six, and I’ve always liked animals way more than most people. I would love to work with them to help them. It would be awesome.
Do you have any shout outs or people who contributed to helping you reach your goals?
I would give a shout out to Coach Fox who encouraged me to look for schools and he was always there for me when I had questions or needed advice.
Kylie Baxter
USC Sumter, Soccer
How did you start playing and how long have you been playing?
I was introduced to soccer when I was 5 and a professional women’s game came on TV. I asked my mom if she could sign me up and she put me on rec until I started playing travel and club when I was 10, and I have played soccer ever since.
What strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?
I believe I am very dedicated and loyal. I go 100% in every practice and game, taking losses as a lesson and looking at what I can do better. I also take everything as a learning opportunity, whether it be good or bad.
Do you plan to play professionally or beyond college?
I don’t plan to play professionally just because I’ve been playing for so long, but I will play two years of soccer at USC Sumter. It’s a 2-year school, but I am doing a bridge program for a 4-year college and I plan to focus on academics my last two years in college.
Do you know what you want to study in college?
I want to study Business Management in college. My dad has been in Business Management for 15 years, and I look up to him.
Do you have any shout outs or people who contributed to helping you reach your goals?
My goalie coach, Coach Damian, helped me level up and get better, and pushed me to be a better goalie and achieve my goals.
Tonya WIlliams
Allen University, Basketball
How did you start playing and how long have you been playing?
I started playing when I was 8, I actually played soccer in rec, but my mom and aunt coached basketball so they coached me up. Basketball took over, and I have been playing for 10 years now.
What strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?
I have a lot of heart and emotion. I take pride in my sport and I believe myself a leader because I know basketball inside and out.
Do you plan to play professionally or beyond college?
My goal as a kid was to get drafted in the WNBA, I would love to get there one day and I would like to play professionally. I wouldn’t choose any other profession.
Do you know what you want to study in college?
I want to go to college to study Criminal Justice and Psychology.
Do you have any shout outs or people who contributed to helping you reach your goals?
I would like to shout out my coaches — Larry Roberts, Destiny Eagles, and Hampton Campbell — but more importantly my mom and aunt, Kia and Rosa Zander’s.
Brianna Sams
Averett University, Basketball
How did you start playing and how long have you been playing?
I started playing when I got a basketball net and me, my dad, and my brother would play outside. I signed up for rec and after that school ball, then AAU, and I’ve been playing for 8 years.
What strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?
I believe my determination, perseverance, motivation, and self confidence make me a great athlete.
Do you plan to play professionally or beyond college?
I don’t plan to play after college because I want to start my career and probably coach basketball on the side.
Do you know what you want to study in college?
I plan to study Criminal Justice and Business in college.
Do you have any shout outs or people who contributed to helping you reach your goals?
I would like to shout out my parents for helping me make all of this possible. My AAU coaches, Coach Roberts and Coach Eagles, who have trained me and pushed me since 8th grade to help get me where I am today and boost my confidence. They also helped me get scouted so I can play in college. I couldn’t do it without them. I would also like to shout out my high school coaches, Coach Shoemaker and Coach Campbell. I thank them for helping me get where I am today and develop me as a player and person.
Kellie sams • May 29, 2022 at 4:01 pm
My heart I am so proud of you . You have worked so hard for this and are going to do amazing things reach for every dream you have my baby girl I love u to the moon and around the stars always and forever.