Graduating Mustangs announce college choices

LAKEWOOD RANCH — From the moment he first stepped out onto the football field as a youth, offensive lineman Shane Blair has been focused on one goal — to play collegiate football.

At the time, the Lakewood Ranch High senior, who grew up in Texas, envisioned playing alongside his best friend inside Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium.

Now with his high school career nearly behind him, Blair is turning his attention to the next chapter after seeing his dream of playing collegiate football finally come to fruition.

Surrounded by family, friends, faculty and his coaches, Blair signed a national letter-of-intent to play football for Florida Atlantic University during a signing ceremony May 14, in Lakewood’s media center.

And, although the school might not have been the one Blair envisioned as a youth, he couldn’t be more thrilled with his decision.

“It means a lot to be able to do this,” Blair said. “Ever since I was little, playing in Texas, I’ve wanted to play college football and really just play as long as possible. I got this opportunity and I decided to take it. It just seemed like home, and I knew it was the right decision.”

In addition to Blair, 12 other Lakewood athletes, representing eight sports, including football, track and cross-country, softball, volleyball, tennis, basketball and golf, announced their college intentions.

Devin McDermott, who anchored the Lady Mustangs 4x800 relay team to victory in the Class 3A state meet earlier this month, will continue to run track and cross-country at the University of Florida.

Brandon King, McKenzie Hathaway and Nigel Edwards Jr. all plan to continue their football playing careers. King, who also plans to play baseball, is headed to Averett University, in Danville, Va., while Hathaway, who also plans to play lacrosse, is headed to rival Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C. Edwards is headed to Division II Chowan University, in Murfreesboro, N.C.

“I’m just glad to be able to go and keep playing sports,” Hathaway said. “I have a passion for both.”
Hathaway, who was the Mustangs leading rusher last season, will most likely switch to linebacker when he heads up to Methodist.

“I just like to hit,” Hathaway said. “I love giving the hits, too.”

Twins Arnav and Arsav Mohanty, who captured the Class 3A overall doubles title, both earned full rides to play tennis for Mercer University, in Macon, Ga., while Cari Berry, who also captured an overall doubles title, will play for the State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota.

“It means everything to me to be close to my mom, and now it’s official,” Berry said. “I love the coach. She’s amazing. She seems like a really great and nice person. I’m just looking forward to playing on the team and playing some good tennis.”

Joining Berry at the State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota will be basketball player Brian Cobb, who missed most of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Pitcher Huntyre Elling, who led the Lady Mustangs to Class 6A state semifinals, will continue playing softball at Indian River State College in Fort Pierce. Volleyball player Shelby Walker will play for Hillsborough Community College, while golfers Hunter Sager and Kyle Benson will play for Canisius College, in Buffalo, N.Y., and Brevard Community College, in Cocoa, respectively.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].