Written by Catherine Golovin – Journalism Staff Reporter
A special day of recognition, celebration, and bittersweet goodbyes for Allatoona’s senior athletes approaches rapidly with the arrival of Signing Day. The seniors welcome friends, families, and coaches to witness the transition between their final steps at Allatoona and the colleges they have committed to in furthering their athletic journeys. When prompted, several athletes provided meaningful responses to a series of questions involving their sport, goals, and inspirations.
Landon Hanesworth, bound for the University of Missouri, reflected on his six-year journey in competitive swimming. He attributes his success to his faith, a consistent motivator that “got him through the 4 am practices” and relieved him from “the constant doubt and fear of not being good enough.” When asked why he decided on Missouri, Landon responded, “I chose USML because of Coach Tony and his dedication to his athletes, as well as their performance in and out of the water.” He continued, “I wanted a bigger school that would allow me to get a degree in biology as well as compete in the highest D2 conference, racing for a team greater than myself.” Hanesworth’s goal is to make it to the NCAAs his freshman year. Landon leaves future student athletes with a quote by Ed Macauley, NBA coach and player in the 1950s, “When you aren’t practicing, remember, someone somewhere is practicing, and when you meet him, he will win.”
Aidan Guilbeau, signing with the University of Findlay, has been playing football since he was five years old. Guilbeau shared that his inspiration came from former teammates who, “set the standard for what it took and looked like to be a college athlete.” When asked why he committed to Findlay, Aidan said, “the coaching staff and campus made me feel comfortable, as if I was at home.” Guilbeau’s last piece of advice for future student athletes is “consistency is key.”
Kiera Daniels, committed to Mercer University, has been a softball player since she was ten. When asked about her inspiration, Kiki responded, “I attribute my success to my mom. She has always been my biggest supporter, and I wouldn’t have this opportunity without her.” Daniels chose Mercer because of the exceptional coaching staff and academic opportunities it will provide. Kiki reminds future student athletes not to take things too seriously because, “the memories that last forever aren’t how you perform, they are the loving moments you share with your team.”
Logan Grass, signing with East Tennessee State University, has played baseball for over twelve years. Logan said the school had a very welcoming and appealing campus, as well as an amazing coaching staff. “One of my biggest inspirations is my current travel team coach who has helped me become the player I am today.” Logan’s last piece of advice to future student athletes is to “focus on school and try to do the best you can,” adding that it can be difficult to maintain a balance between school and sports.
As the community gathers to celebrate Signing Day, it’s not just about bidding farewell to these talented individuals but also about honoring their accomplishments and wishing them success in their future endeavors. While the journey at Allatoona may be coming to an end, the memories forged and lessons learned will endure, shaping the lives of these athletes for years to come.
