By Andy Warrener
The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent
The media center at Wharton High School on Feb. 6 seemed like a Division I football press conference.
No less than five microphones sat on the table in front of four student-athletes poised to ink their names to letters of intent to compete in college. A greater number of news cameras surrounded the modest setup. It’s something University of Florida signee Vernon Hargreaves is getting used to.
“There’s definitely been some times where I wanted to get away from it,” Hargreaves said. “But it wasn’t all that bad.”
Hargreaves was one of the highest-rated players in the country by many recruiting services. He played mostly safety/linebacker this season, but said he will likely return to cornerback at Florida.
“I grew up around football; I’m pretty comfortable playing all positions,” Hargreaves said. “Last season I was begging the coaches to move me up to linebacker because Rocky (Enos) was getting all the tackles.”
Hargreaves has already signed up for summer classes to get a jump on college life.
Three girls soccer players also signed at the event.
Maria Areiza, who only played club soccer, will compete at Division I Mississippi Valley State next season, most likely at outside midfield. The signing capped a lifelong dream for Areiza.
“I’ve been playing for 14 years; this has always been my dream,” Areiza said.
Wildcats girls soccer team had forward Ashni Deschenes and midfielder/defender Leah Chisolm sign with Division I Stetson and Division II Eckerd, respectively.
“It’s always been a dream to play Division I soccer,” Deschenes said, who led the Wildcats with 17 goals this season.
Deschenes didn’t choose Stetson just for the athletics.
“Academics was important,” Deschenes said. “I liked that they (Stetson) have small class sizes.”
Deschenes remembers Wharton’s 2011 district title as the high point of her high school career.
“It was the first girls soccer district championship,” Deschenes said. “It felt really good to leave a mark at the school. Years from now other players will see that (district championship banner) and see what we did.”
Chisolm, who had 10 goals and nine assists this year, said her favorite memory was from that same season, but what stood out was beating Plant in the district semifinals: “That was just an awesome game.”
