TYLER, Texas — Several East Texas senior athletes' hard work and dedication paid off as they made an important decision on Signing Day to continue to play sports at the collegiate level.
On Wednesday, some of the best high school athletes across East Texas signed their college letters of intent. Pure joy and gratitude are the two best words to describe the energy at today’s Signing Day.
"It feels really good, just really glad to see all the hard work paying off," said Cooper Moore, Oral Roberts University baseball commit.
"It feels incredible. It’s crazy rewarding," said Rylie Jo Garner, Midwestern State University soccer commit.
Seven Tyler Legacy athletes, six Bullard athletes, and one All Saints athlete committed to play their respective sports at the collegiate level. Years of hard work, dedication, and support from all directions have led to this moment.
"I… really I’ve fought for this moment my entire life," said Dylan Malone, Western Texas College baseball commit.
These young athletes recognize their families and friends played a big part in this milestone in their lives.
"My aunt Shay, my mom Tonya Malone, my dad Dylan Malone, and then just my sisters and my friends have helped me along the way a lot. So, I really appreciate everybody," Malone said. "There’s so many little things that, people that I don’t even know their names, have put into my life. I can’t even fathom all the people I can thank right now."
Malone was one of five baseball commits on Signing Day, the sport most represented by students signing. Just two percent of all high school athletes play at the Division One level, so Malone has already accomplished something pretty special, but he’s got his sights on professional baseball, and can’t wait to begin fine-tuning his game.
"The main thing I’m looking forward to is really perfecting my craft. Like, there’s nothing to do in Snyder, Texas except for getting better at baseball, and that’s what I’m gonna do," Malone said. "I’m gonna be at the cages all day, on the field all night, and so I’m excited to go there and put in some work."
It took hard work to get to this moment, it’s gonna take even more hard work once these athletes get to the college level. But at least just for today, these student-athletes can relax, enjoy this big accomplishment and look forward to their bright futures.
"Probably the people, the community, it’s awesome up there. I’m also really excited to win some ballgames under a really good coach" Moore said.