Ranch athletes announce college choices

LAKEWOOD RANCH — After years of hard work and dedication, six Lakewood Ranch seniors’ dreams of playing at the next level are finally coming to fruition.

In front their families, friends and coaches, Dana Hutchins, Quillan Toler, Seth McGarry and Connor Baldwin signed national letters-of-intent, while Amber Ozment and Zack Larson both verbally committed to play for the State College of Florida during a signing-day ceremony Nov. 16, in the school’s media center. Ozment and Larson both will sign their letters-of-intent during national JUCO signing day Jan. 15, 2012.

“It’s relieving,” Hutchins said of signing. “I don’t have to worry about anything, because I’ve already been accepted. It’s a done deal for now. I just need to keep working hard.”

SOFTBALL
Hutchins, Toler and Ozment began playing as youths in the Miss Manatee Softball League, and have since grown up together on the diamond.

And last week, the girls reveled in the fact that all three had earned college scholarships.

“We’ve been playing for so long, so it’s really awesome (to see) all of us go to the next level,” said Toler, who signed with the University of North Alabama.

Ozment agreed.

“Just knowing that we made it … it’s good to see each other grow,” Ozment said. “It’s cool.”

Toler, who plans to major in sports management, chose the University of North Alabama over Flagler, West Florida, Georgia State College and University and Francis Marion because of the campus and the coaching staff.

Ozment on the other hand, who plans to major in radiology or become an ultrasound technician, verbally committed to SCF.

“I feel like I fit in with the SCF girls,” said Ozment, who hopes to eventually play for Florida Gulf Coast University when her two years at SCF are finished.

Finally, Hutchins will be heading to Division I Morehead State University next fall. Hutchins, who plans to major in biology, chose Morehead State because of its size and the campus.

“It really stuck out to me,” Hutchins said. “It wasn’t too big. It’s smaller and it’s a place I could see myself being for the next four years.”

BASEBALL
McGarry, who posted a 9-0 record on the mound last season while helping lead the Mustangs to the regional tournament, saw his dream of playing for a major college program come to fruition when he signed with Division I Florida Atlantic University.

“I don’t have anything to worry about now,” McGarry said.

McGarry, who plans to pitch, as well as hopefully play in the infield, chose Florida Atlantic over Army, the University of Central Florida and Georgia.

“I just like the area,” McGarry said. “It’s nice. It’s not a huge campus. It reminds me of home, and it’s not too far or (too) close to home.”

Meanwhile, Larson, an outfielder who batted .380 and hit five home runs, looked at N.C. State University, Florida University and the University of South Florida, but ultimately chose SCF.

“The coaches treated me well, and I thought that was the best place for me to go,” Larson said.

BOYS GOLF
After helping lead Lakewood to a state championship and a perfect 103-0 record earlier this month, Baldwin will continue playing championship caliber opponents after signing with the University of West Florida — the top-ranked Division II golf program in the state.

Baldwin, who plans to major in business or computer science, chose West Florida over Ratford, Liberty, Flagler and Nova Southeastern. Baldwin chose West Florida because of its schedule, which includes trips to New York, Maryland, Chicago, New Orleans and North Carolina, among others.

With his senior season now behind him, Baldwin will spend the rest of the year practicing and competing in Florida Junior Golf Tour tournaments.

“It’s such a relief to be done with the fall and to be able to go on and play college golf is the best feeling I can get,” Baldwin said.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].