TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) - The early signing period kicked off last week for athletes across the country, and across North Florida and South Georgia, a lot of kids took full advantage.
At Chiles High School, eight athletes representing five different sports, signed on the dotted line Monday afternoon.
Jozsef Rohrbacher signed a baseball scholarship with Chipola, while Trey Whittaker inked a tennis scholarship with Troy University. Mia Cotton and Katie Parmalee, two volleyball standouts, signed with Emmanuel College and George Mason respectively.
Softball player Carolina Jacobsen will continue her career at Duke, while teammate Maegan Tomlinson will stay close to home and play for Florida State.
"I feel in love with the coaching staff and I fell in love with the school," she said. "I was born an FSU fan, so staying home really seemed like the best plan for me, and I just love FSU. I love coach Lonni. She's just so kind and has the biggest heart and cares so much about the girls and she seems like a second mom. I'm excited to play for her and do great things."
The Seminoles will also get two Chiles swimmers, as John Yambor-Maul and Stephanie Holmes both signed with Florida State Monday.
"This has definitely been a week where dreams have come true," said Yambor-Maul, who helped the Chiles boys win their second straight State Championship over the weekend. "Being able to be a State Championship back to back with Chiles junior and senior year, ending on a State Championship and now getting to sign to the school that I've grown up cheering for."
"I committed early, so I've been waiting for this moment for so long," added Holmes. "I've been waiting to swim in college since I was about five, so being able to actually sign and actually be a Seminole, it's an amazing feeling."
At Leon High School, Jala Williams, a guard on the Lions girls basketball team, signed with West Alabama. Williams averaged over 17 points per game for Leon last season, and said she's excited for the next step in her career.
"I love their home, and they brought me in as a family," she said. "I was just ready to join right off the bat. I wanted to have my senior year go with a breeze. I wouldn't want to worry about injuries, and them not signing me. I just wanted to go out with a bang. It's extremely special. I can't believe I made it this far, it's always been a dream of mine, so I'm just really excited."
