Mackenzie Pierce – LRHS News

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – Eight Mustangs began their college athletic careers Feb. 6 participating in National SIgning Day.

Emily Perez, Michelle Last, and Mitch Arnold signed for both cross country and track. Last will attend Southern Wesleyan University in South Carolina. She plans on running the 400m , 800m, and mile races in track. Arnold also hopes to run cross country and long distance in track at the University of Tampa. Perez signed with Southeastern University in Lakeland.

“I’ve wanted to attend Southeastern ever since third grade so signing with them is a dream come true. It’s something I never thought would happen. Signing was so surreal,” Perez said.

LRHS track coach Mark Napier is elated with the success of his athletes.

“It’s awesome to have them move onto the next level and continue doing what they love. Having eight athletes sign also opens many opportunities for LRHS both academically and athletically. It shows that we have the right resources for our students.”

Girls soccer players Alex Latham, Bri Reda, and Juilana Guida also signed.

Goalie Alex Latham signed with Louisiana’s Northwestern State where she hopes to start in the net. Her fellow defender Guida will be playing at Florida Southern. Reda signed with Georgia Southwestern State as a midfielder.

As for the boys Bobby Photos and Andrew Giddens both signed. Photos will be playing soccer for Ana Maria College, a Divison II school in Massachsetts. Giddens plans on playing baseball at Ft. Myers’ Ave Marie University on a scholarship.

National Signing Day was a major milestone for all of the LRHS athletes who participated. Now they are able to focus on the next chapter of their athletic careers – college.