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Ink masters: Athletes choose to continue respective careers
BY CHRIS O'DELL, codell@starlocalnews.com
Choosing the right college can be one of the most important decisions in a high school senior's life.
That becomes especially true if that certain senior has plans to extend their athletic career by playing at the collegiate level.
"It's always a nerve-racking experience," said Kari Bensend, Centennial volleyball coach.
"It really takes a lot of pressure off the kids," Bensend said.
Centennial senior libero Anna Leigh Cargile is one of those seniors that no longer has to fret about where her volleyball career may take her after high school. That's because Cargile signed with Harding University last Wednesday during a ceremony at Centennial in front of friends and family.
"I wanted to keep playing really bad," Cargile said. "I just didn't know for sure if I could get a scholarship or not."
Cargile will join fellow Lady Titan Mackenzie Jones at the Searcy, Ark. school after Jones chose the Lady Bisons' softball program. Cargile said her first visit to Harding made the decision an easy one.
"When I walked on campus I fell in love with the people and the campus," she said. "It felt like I was right at home."
Cargile's love for her future school was seen long after her visit ended.
"I know there was a different look on her face after she came back from her visit," Bensend said.
Cargile will join a Harding team in the midst of several changes, including the recent hire of head coach Meredith Fear. The first-year coach led the Lady Bisons to a 28-6 record with a 14-0 mark against Great American Conference opponents.
"I was never worried about [Cargile's] ability," Bensend said. "I always knew she had enough ability."
Cargile inked her letter of intent with Harding moments after Centennial senior Mckenzie Adams officially committed to Arkansas, following in her father's footsteps.
"It's so exciting," Adams said. "I feel like all the pressure is off now."
The three Lady Titans were joined by athletes from around Frisco that chose to continue their careers at the next level.
Liberty's Andrea Mapua and Beatrice Attura gave the Lady Redhawks' basketball team two collegiate athletes after Mapua committed to Texas Women's and Attura inked with Northwestern State. The two seniors have led Liberty to a 7-2 mark this season after the Lady Redhawks earned a second-place finish in District 9-4A last season.
For baseball, Centennial sent teammates Jacob Atchley and Ryan Hill to New Mexico while Liberty saw pitcher Hayden Parker commit to BYU.
Meanwhile, Wakeland senior captain Hannah Hankins chose Gran Canyon University as her future volleyball home while Heritage's Alexandra Marsolek will soon swim for Western State Colorado.
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