A trio of Lima Senior girls track and field athletes are making the jump to the next level after signing their national letters of intent Wednesday.
Suerethia Henderson will be running for Youngstown State University, Corion McDonald-Gordon is heading to Notre Dame College and Briana Wright will be going to Kent State University.
All three have been standouts for the Spartans. Henderson, a multiple state qualifier, raced in the 100 and 200 meter runs last year at state and was a member of the 800 meter relay team that also qualified for state and was the district champions. Henderson was the 2017 Three Rivers Athletic Conference in 2017.
McDonald-Gordon was also a member of the district championship 800 meter relay team and Wright, who was also the 2017 OATCCC state runner up in the weight throw.
“It is great blessing and a vision realized,” Lima Senior head coach Emmanuel Curtis said. “We have had some ladies go to schools and compete in the past but nothing to the magnitude of this. They deserve to celebrate. They came in as freshmen and were very effective and talented young ladies. This is a combination of great academics, great athletic performances and good life choices.
Curtis added these girls stand as example of what other younger track and field athletes can strive to achieve through hard work and dedication.”
“It is not about being perfect it is just about making it,” Curtis said. “Every year and every month w are always on them to make it and make the right choices and handle your business academically.”
Henderson, who received 13 offers, said it was the educational aspect that led her to select Youngstown State.
“For one they gave me a full ride and also to pay for my fifth year to get my master’s degree in my major so that was the deal breaker,” Henderson said. “They were already in my top 3 but that was the deal breaker.”
Henderson also liked the tradition and atmosphere at Youngstown.
“They just one their indoor championships for 2018 so they have a winning streak going on so I want to help continue that for the next couple of years,” Henderson added.
McDonald-Gordon said the coaches made her feel part of the team and that is what guided her to Notre Dame College.
“It was hard to make a decision but I wanted to go to a school that fit me best,” McDonald-Gordon said. “On my overnight visit I felt I was home. The coach contacted me a lot and he made me feel comfortable and it felt like I was meant to be with the team.”
For Wright it was a combination of factors that led to her choosing Kent State.
“I loved the coach and I have seen the campus multiple times so it was kind of like that home feeling and the university and meeting people there,” Wright said. “I want to push for to make it to national in all my different events and just to become a better person and have a better education when I get out of college.”
Elida signings
Elida had four students sign national letters of intent.
Madison Allemeier signed to play volleyball at Owens Community, Jake Taylor will play soccer at Capitol, Riley Bartels will head to Heidelberg to play soccer and Justin Moore will play baseball at Bluffton.
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