Five Knoxville Catholic High School student athletes committed to play at the next level in a National Signing Day ceremony Feb. 5 in the school library.
Offensive lineman Patrick McFall signed with East Tennessee State University. Track athlete Camille Baker committed to Missouri University of Science and Technology. Three soccer standouts, Molly Dwyer, Tori Sanders, and Charlotte Sauter, signed as well, Molly with Furman University, Tori with the University of Montevallo, and Charlotte with Trevecca Nazarene University. All three soccer players are defenders/outside backs.
Parents, KCHS coaches, and fellow students came to the library to support the five signees.
“I would like to say on behalf of our five student athletes a great big thank-you to each person in this room who has made an impact in their lives and has had a hand in making this day possible,” KCHS athletic director Jason Surlas said. “Parents, families, and friends, thank you for pushing them a little harder than maybe they thought they needed to be pushed.
“Thank you for all the times driving them to and from practices and games, all the times you had to wash a uniform the day of the game because your son or daughter forgot to tell you, and the times volunteering to help with anything that needed to be done for the team; all the times spent watching and supporting them in all kinds of weather.”
Patrick was joined at his signing by parents Valerie and Cliff McFall, sister Riley, and Fighting Irish football head coach Steve Matthews.
Alongside Camille for her signing were parents James and Lori Baker, Mr. Surlas, and KCHS track coaches Brandon Harris (hurdles), Sean O’Neil (distance), and David Ball (jumps).
Molly is the daughter of Pearl and Jim Dwyer. Mrs. Dwyer and KCHS soccer head coach Mark Leader witnessed her signing.
Charlotte’s parents, Andrew and Nancy Sauter, watched her signing along with Mr. Leader and club coach Kevin Keck.
Tori signed as parents Steven and Amanda Sanders sat with her. Also watching were Mr. O’Neil, her cross-country coach, and club coach Jonathan Thompson.
Feb. 5 was actually KCHS’s second signing day of the school year. Baseball players Adam Reed and Shane Whalen signed during the early-signing period in November. Adam will continue his baseball career at Tennessee Tech, and Shane will be playing baseball at Lincoln Memorial University.