Chone James, who signed to play baseball at the University of Virginia, has been a catcher on varsity since 9th grade.

He has been playing since a young age, and was taught everything he knows by his dad.

“I started playing with my dad’s teams when I was 3,” he said, “I started out on his rec team then, when I turned 8, I joined my dad’s travel team.” 

The University of Virginia was just one of many D1 offers Chone has received. He has gotten them from the University of South Carolina, Clemson, James Madison, Yale, and Queens University. But Chone always had his eye on the University of Virginia. 

“I’d say it’s been a dream school of mine. Since my mom is from that area I have always known of the school,” he said, “I just couldn’t pass on Virginia.”

Senior Nathan Sims has signed to run track for Columbia College, where he plans on majoring in exercise science.

Nathan has run track since 7th and 8th grade when he lived in Ohio. 

“I just had really amazing teachers and friends, and they all just got me involved in track,” he said.

He ran track all four of his years at Socastee, where he is also a part of the wrestling team.

“Coach Stevens always pushed me to be the best and Omari Taylor who graduated last year, he motivated me to be my best,” he said.

Nathan said motivation and discipline allow him to persevere through challenges.

“Practices and workouts are gonna be tough and you’re going to want to quit, but when you just push past your limits, and you know and tell yourself that you can’t give up. that’s what makes you the best athlete you can be” he said.

Nathan focuses a lot on form.

“I want to improve on my hurdle form; speed is not everything,” he said. “Form can definitely make or break the race.” 

 He is excited and optimistic about his future.

“I just plan to run in college and see where it takes me, but I’d love to run in World Championships or even the Olympics.”

Senior Rocco Wojcik committed to Coker University for baseball. Although Rocco has played a variety of sports, baseball is the one he enjoys the most. He has been playing since he was four years old.

“I decided to commit for baseball because it has always been my dream to play college baseball ever since I was a little kid,” Wojcik said.

Rocco has overcome countless challenges throughout his years of playing baseball. 

“I hurt my shoulder and it set me back from the start of the season,” he said. He was able to overcome this obstacle and claimed that it helped shape him into the player he is today.

Rocco plans to continue his baseball career after college. He hopes to get accepted into a professional league so he can play to the best of his abilities.

“My goal for baseball is to be the best player I can be every time I step on the field,” he said.