Bigger and better

Seven student athletes sign letters of intent

High schools’ athletic programs were all over the place as they readied themselves for the big moment of signings Feb. 3.

The school had a mix of several smaller and larger schools, as they had seven student-athletes sign together, the largest number of signings the school has ever had at one time.

Senior Valiree Morris kicked things off around 9:10 a.m., signing to attend the University of Tulsa for soccer.

“We are extremely proud of her four year career,” head soccer coach Kody Christensen said. “I’m excited to see what’s in store for her bright future.”

Morris, a state runner-up in 2014 and a state champion in 2015, signed along with her senior teammates Megan Paul and Samantha Ramirez. Paul signed to play soccer at the University of Texas A&M Commerce, as Ramirez also signed to play at Lubbock Christian University.

“We were very lucky to have such talented players in our program these past four years,” Christensen said. “They’ve had opportunities to start tradition and build success and they’ve done exactly that. The girls showed success academically at the all-state level, athletically via bringing home the school’s first ever UIL State Championship and outside of school.”

The girls experienced adversity through various injuries to themselves and the team, however they overcame it all to lead the girls soccer program to a state final appearance in 2014. They followed that trip up with yet another, meeting the same team in the finals for the second straight year. The second meeting ended differently, 364 days later, with the girls on the winning side as they defeated Austin Vandegrift 1-0 in the 5A state final via Addie McCain’s lone goal.

“These girls won over 76 games in their tenure at East. They won 18 playoff games, traveled to two straight state championships,” Christensen said. “They provided Raider Nation a reason to cheer.”

After the girls signed, the boys were up next. Four seniors, Sean Addicks, Justin Bailey, Jared Bell and Jared Wyatt, signed their letters of intent to continue their football careers at universities across the country.

Up first was Addicks, who was joined by his family as he signed to play football at Midwestern State University. Addicks played left tackle, protecting the blind side of quarterback Braden Shewmake along with opening holes for the number 1 running back in Texas for the 2017 class, Eno Benjamin.

“The senior class has done it right this year, bringing East our first district championship after years of hard work,” head football coach Joe Lepsis said.

After Addicks signed, Justin Bailey stood up to take center stage in front of the crowd. He, joined by his family, signed with West Texas A&M University to continue his career as wide receiver. Bailey finished the 2015 season with 47 receptions for 735 yards and seven touchdowns.

“I have never had a player do more with less than Justin Bailey,” wide receivers coach Gary Porter said. “What Justin did not have in terms of size and speed, he more than made it up with intelligence and savvy. Justin has the best set of hands I have ever coached. His intelligence and great hands helped us sustain drives all year long.”

Following Bailey was Jared Bell, who signed for Southeastern Oklahoma State University, in Durant, Okla. He was joined by a large gathering of immediate family and friends. Bell anchored the defensive line, consistently getting pressure on the quarterback. He helped end the playoff game against The Colony, registering a sack and causing a fumble in the final minute.

“Jared Bell is a really special player with the combination of speed and strength that allows him to do a lot of very special things on the football field,” quarterback Braden Shewmake said.

The last player of the day to sign for the school was captain Jared Wyatt, who committed and signed to play at Bowling Green State University, also as wide receiver. Bowling Green was very excited to bring Wyatt to the program, labeling him as a leader with good hands and good route running.

“Jared is a great get for our football team and our entire BGSU family,” Bowling Green State University head coach Kevin Kilmer said. “He’s the type of kid you want on your team, as a hard worker and someone who gets good grades. He’s a fantastic teammate.”

Wyatt ended the second straight season as the number one wideout for the school.

“Jared Wyatt is one of the, if not, the most gifted wide receiver I have ever coached,” Porter said. “His athleticism set him apart from his peers. That athleticism combined with a great work ethic made him a nightmare for defenses to have to contend with.”

Wyatt compiled 1,886 yards receiving via 103 catches and 30 touchdowns in the last two years.

“The pinnacle of a student-athlete’s career is this,” Lepsis said. “I know as head coach that I ask freshmen to raise their hand if they want to play college ball, and 99 percent raise their hands. However, they then find out how difficult it truly is to reach this stage. I am so proud to see these boys sit in front of the crowd and sign to continue their careers. It is an honor.”

The seven players will look to continue their careers beginning this summer, as they graduate from high school and head off to training camp to ready themselves for their respective seasons ahead.