Area athletes ink college choices

SARASOTA — Thirteen student-athletes at Sarasota High and Cardinal Mooney High are breathing easier after signing national letters-of-intent to play college athletics. 

Surrounded by family, friends and teammates, the players, spread across five sports, made their college intentions known during special Signing Day ceremonies Nov. 11, at their respective high schools.

Here’s an inside look at where each of the athletes will be headed next fall. 

SARASOTA HIGH 

Nick Long 

Sport: Baseball

Position: Pitcher and shortstop 

College Choice: University of Florida 

Signing Day Reaction: “This has got to be one of the best days of my life,” Long said. “My coaches told me it was the best baseball program, and I just stayed on course to go there. I just love Florida, and I think they can help me achieve my dream of making it to the next level.” 

What do you want to be when you grow up? Major League Baseball player 

Nick Derr

Sport: Baseball

Position: Shortstop 

College Choice: Florida State University 

Signing Day Reaction: “I love the university and the campus. It couldn’t get much better. I couldn’t have made a better decision. I grew up an FSU fan, and I’m fortunate to be playing there next year.” 

What does it mean to sign with your teammates? “It’s special. This is a really good program. It’s pretty impressive to have five players up here signing. I don’t know how many high schools have that.” 

Andrew Jones

Sport: Baseball

Position: Pitcher 

College Choice: Florida Atlantic University 

Signing Day Reaction: “During my visit, I stepped on the mound, and I could picture myself pitching there for the next four years.” 

What do you want to be when you grow up? Major League Baseball player 

Brittany Bendel 

Sport: Softball

Position: Pitcher 

College Choice: Colgate University 

Signing Day Reaction: “It’s so special. I’ll be able to continue getting better at softball, so that I can coach when I get older and help other kids.” 

What does it mean to sign with your teammates? “It’s so surreal knowing you’re going through the same thing," Bendel said. "It’s exciting to share in it together. These girls are like family to me.” 

Kourtney Linn

Sport: Softball

Position: Center field 

College Choice: University of South Carolina Upstate 

Signing Day Reaction: “It feels pretty cool knowing you’ve came this far. It’s been both a fun and stressful time.” 

What do you want to be when you grow up? Personal trainer 

Abigail Wishart 

Sport: Softball 

Position: First base 

College Choice: Reinhardt University in Waleska, Ga. 

Signing Day Reaction: “It’s exciting and a really special time,” Wishart said. 

What do you want to be when you grow up? Early education teacher 

Adam Imwalle

Sport: Baseball

Position: Third base 

College Choice: State College of Florida 

Signing Day Reaction: “I moved to Florida for baseball. I love the area, and to be able to continue playing here is nice.” 

What do you want to be when you grow up? Petroleum engineer 

SarahBeth Wengerd 

Sport: Softball

Position: Third base

College Choice: University of South Florida 

Signing Day Reaction: “It’s exciting to be able to fulfill my dream of getting a college scholarship to play softball and to also watch my teammates fulfill their dreams." 

What do you want to be when you grow up? Firefighter 

Steven Mercandante 

Sport: Wrestling

 College choice: Franklin and Marshall University 

Signing Day Reaction: “It’s a great opportunity for me to go to college and get a very good education."

What do you want to be when you grow up? Orthopedic surgeon 

Vaun Brown

Sport: Baseball

Position: Center field 

College Choice: Florida Southern College 

Signing Day Reaction: “I didn’t think I would be doing this right now. My freshman year, I was cut from the baseball team, and I wanted to prove everyone wrong.” 

What do you want to be when you grow up? Philosophy professor 

CARDINAL MOONEY 

Matt Garcia 

Sport: Swimming 

Strokes: Freestyle and backstroke 

College Choice: University of Tennessee; other options: Wisconsin and LSU 

Signing Day Reaction: “It was stressful because it all happened during high school season, so it’s nice to finally be done. I’m looking forward to next year.” 

Reagan Griffith 

Sport: Lacrosse 

Position: Attack 

College Choice: Lynn University; other options: Limestone College and Oglethorpe University 

Signing Day Reaction: "I’ve been worrying about this since freshman year, so it’s a relief to have finally figured out where I’m going to go.” 

Intended Major: Business 

Taylor Garris

Sport: Baseball

Position: Shortstop

College Choice: Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. 

Signing Day Reaction: The whole process was very new to me," Garris said. "I owe my coaches a lot because they helped me get better.” 

Intended Major: Business or sports management 

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].