With the pens gripped in their fists and the paper with the college seals staring up at them, seven senior athletes stole their first glance at the future as they signed with colleges today in the library.

“I’m so excited,” senior Milan Fisher said. “I feel like I’m one step closer to running college track and becoming a pharmacist. I just can’t say how excited I am about this opportunity.”

Participating in the Spring National Signing Day, students like senior Tristen Cockrell, who will play football at Texas A&M; Commerce, felt anxious as they planned for their next year in college.

“[My plans] are to get implemented in the football system over the summer to start as a freshman and start a few classes to get ahead in school,” Cockrell said. “I feel blessed. It feels good to know where i’m going now, and know what needs to be done to have a successful career.”

Across from the long table near the library windows, the coaches, who had impressed upon the athletes the things colleges look for when offering scholarships, watched their advice produce success.

“I’m really proud of all of our players,” football coach Brian Chandler said. “We talk to them all the time about doing things the right way on the field, off the field, in the classroom, and in the community. We try to tell our kids that’s what colleges look for when they offer scholarship money. What you do on the field matters, but it’s the character and the integrity and the hard work that goes along with it.”

The following is a list of the seniors, their colleges and their sports.

Christian Allen – Southern Nazarene University, Football
Tristen Cockrell – Texas A&M; Commerce, Football
Rachel Eckert – Lubbock Christian, Soccer
Milan Fisher – Houston Baptist, Track
Kimbrick Jones – Oklahoma Panhandle State, Football
Emma Moore – Houston, Swimming
Qyara Winston – Arkansas, Soccer