By Kyle LoJacono
Three Freedom High athletes inked letters of intent to play in college on Feb. 1 — National Signing Day.
Emily Ball will play soccer at the University of South Carolina (USC), football player Larry Thorpe picked Butler Community College and girls cross country runner Ashley Smith will pound the pavement at Augusta State University.
Thorpe, a safety, is a newcomer to football, picking up the sport by accident as a junior.
Former Patriots football coach Tchecoy Blount said he asked Freedom boys soccer coach Dennis Derflinger if he had anyone who could be a kicker.
“I saw this big 6-foot-3 guy come into my room and said are you looking for a kicker,” Blount said. “I said I am, but I think we can find another spot for you.”
Thorpe led the Patriots with 81 tackles last season.
“I’m very happy to get this opportunity,” said Thorpe, who plans on becoming a firefighter. “I’ll just do my best to make everyone proud. … My dad (Garfield) always told me that education is important, and the last few years I’ve realized that.”
Thorpe also thanked Blount for being “like a second dad.”
Butler, a member of the Jayhawk Conference, finished last season as the National Junior College Athletic Association’s No. 2 ranked squad.
Ball is far from a newcomer to soccer. She’s played the game since age 4.
Ball, a goalkeeper, committed to USC almost a year ago, more than enough waiting to make her plans official.
“It’s kind of surreal because I’ve been waiting a long time to sign,” said Ball, who plans on studying biomedical engineering. “I’m very fortunate to have this opportunity and I couldn’t have done it without the support of all my coaches and my family.”
Ball recorded 186 saves and 10 shutouts last season. Her work between the pipes helped the Patriots win two district championships and make the postseason the last three years.
Ball is accustomed to having eyes on her on the field but was nervous while signing.
“I was shaking a little bit up there,” Ball said with a smile. “I just wanted to make sure I spelled my name right.”
USC is a Division I program in the Southeastern Conference.
Smith started running while at Liberty Middle. Her decision was not only momentous for herself. It also made her the first girl runner in Freedom’s history to sign with a college.
“It was very overwhelming, exciting and a bit nerve racking,” said Smith, who will study early childhood education.
Smith helped the Patriots reach the Class 4A state meet as a senior, where she finished 67th overall in 20:30.98.
Augusta State, a Division II program, competes in the Peach Belt Conference.
