By Eugenio Torrens
Two Wiregrass Ranch boys cross country runners signed letters of intent to add to the area’s total number of scholarship signees.
Sam Hippely and Daniel Hill made their college decisions official on Feb. 8.
Hippely, the reigning All-Laker/All-Lutz News boys cross country Runner of the Year, signed with the University of West Florida. He took a college visit a month ago and that pretty much sealed it.
“When I visited, I liked the team a lot,” said Hippely, who will study accounting. “The team was cool and I just liked the campus. The fact that I could live on campus, away from home, kind of was the selling point.”
He’s just as content with the prospect of college as he is relieved with the fact he knows which he’ll attend.
“I’m happy to finally make my decision and decide where I’m going to college, and the fact that I know I’m going to run in college,” Hippely said. “That’s what I’ve wanted to do since my freshman year, I’ve wanted to run in college, so I’m happy with my decision.”
Hill inked his letter of intent with St. Leo, where he plans to major in criminal justice.
Hill started talking to the Lions at one of Wiregrass Ranch’s meets.
“I kind of just got hooked on them,” Hill said. “Then I went and visited and I liked it, so basically set on there since the end of cross country season.”
Bulls coach Chris Loth was in the crowd of family and friends when the pair signed.
“There’s nothing more rewarding than that, knowing that you’re helping somebody get their college education, and they did it through hard work and commitment and perseverance,” Loth said.
