By Kyle LoJacono
Mallory Etcheberry has written her name in Academy at the Lakes history despite being a Wildcat for less than two years.
The golfer became the first academy student-athlete to sign a letter of intent to play for a Division I college after inking with the University of Akron.
“I’m so excited,” said Etcheberry, who plans to study accounting. “I feel like all that hard work paid off.”
Etcheberry, who started playing golf at age 8, came to the academy when her family moved from the Clermont area last year. She played in one tournament while at her old high school, meaning she couldn’t compete with the Wildcats in 2011 because of Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) transfer rules.
She made up for lost time this year, winning individual district and regional titles and tied for 29th at the Class 1A state tournament as the academy’s only girls golfer.
“It’s been pretty crazy,” Etcheberry said. “I haven’t played high school golf for a long time. It’s something new. It’s nice to play for my school.”
Etcheberry said playing college golf wasn’t a dream when she first picked up a club, but said it is “a great opportunity” to join the program in the Mid American Conference (MAC).
“It’s a great school,” Etcheberry said. “I love the coach and the team. I knew it was a good fit for me.”
She added that being the first from the academy to sign with a Division I program made the signing even better.
It’s cool to be the first to go D-I,” Etcheberry said. “I’m sure they’re going to have many more.”
Wildcats athletic director Tom Haslam sees it as the first of many academy student-athletes inking with major college programs.
“It’s just another step in our progression to build a top-notch athletic program,” Haslam said. “We’ve had some signees in lower division and NAIA, and those were all big steps. This is that next step, and I love it for Mallory because she’s such a great kid. She’s so dedicated to her craft.”
—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker
