Carolina Forest to be busiest among area schools in early signing period
The biggest school in the area is going to have a busy Wednesday when the NCAA early signing period opens.
Seven Carolina Forest athletes, including five baseball players, will fulfill verbal commitments to various colleges and universities around the state. The list of signees includes lacrosse standout Ally Estes, who is signing with North Greenville, and swimmer Liam Zergolis, who is headed to Limestone.
“It is a great honor to have so many athletes signing,” Panthers Athletics Director Tripp Satterwhite said. “It signifies that Carolina Forest athletics are lead by outstanding coaches and composed of distinguished student athletes who are excelling in competition as well as in the classroom. Each of our student athletes signing are leaders on their teams and within the school.”
The five baseball players who are signing have drawn significant interest, especially after the Panthers’ run to the Class AAAA Lower State finals a season ago. Jakob Frishmuth (College of Charleston), Jared Lembcke and Patrick Orlando (North Greenville) and Caleb Lindaberry (Southern Wesleyan) will be joined by Ryan Gold, who is committing to Coastal Carolina after having recently moved to the area.
“Coach [Jack] Jolly and his staff are first-rate coaches who know [how to] help our athletes become successful people and athletes,” Satterwhite said. “Last year we had a phenomenal season and expect to do great things again this year.”
Two Conway baseball players, Reid Hardwick (Winthrop) and Frankie Edwards (Spartanburg Methodist), St. James golfer Kelli Smith (Coker), Sharks tennis standout Jeffrey Dayton (Anderson) and Socastee volleyball star Dale Rogers (Lander) will also sign in the coming days.
The early signing period can be utilized until Nov. 18. Football players can officially commit starting Feb. 3, and the late signing period opens on April 13.
Ian Guerin: ian@ianguerin.com, @iguerin
This story was originally published November 9, 2015 at 7:09 PM with the headline "Carolina Forest to be busiest among area schools in early signing period."