When public schools closed on March 12 ahead of spring break, over three weeks ago, nobody could fathom that the blooming coronavirus pandemic would soon require shutting down the classrooms — and halting the spring sports schedules as well.
Baseball, softball, track, tennis, flag football, lacrosse and water polo seasons were cut down, some just as they were starting. With it uncertain if school, and high school sports, will resume this spring, seniors on spring sports teams wonder if they’ve played their last high school games.
To honor all senior athletes in Osceola County who took the next step, here is a comprehensive list of county athletes who signed college scholarships this year. Congratulations to all, and best of luck competing and growing as athletes and collegians!
(Coaches and athletic directors: If there are any omissions to this list, please email Ken@positivelyosceola.com.)
Osceola
Allison Palmi, volleyball, Univ. of the Incarnate Word (Tex.)
Malina Spencer, volleyball, Polk State College
Alliann Johnson, track and field, Jacksonville U.
Isabela DeLima, cheerleading, Belmont Abbey (N.C.)
Audra Thompson, softball, Troy U. (Ala.)
Maria Nunez, softball, Univ. of North Carolina-Greensboro
Dylan Ruiz, football, Univ. of New Hampshire
Trey Varnadoe, football, Franklin Pierce U. (N.H.)
Jacob McKinney, football, Franklin Pierce U. (N.H.)
Bryce Barrett, football Butler Community College (Kan.)
Daniel Cooper, football, Bethune-Cookman U.
Davon Wells, football, The Citadel (S.C.)
DeWayne McGee, football, Lenoir-Rhyne U. (N.C.)
Oshea Shelton, football, Vermillion College (Minn.)
Shelby Jones, softball, St. Petersburg College
Ryan Chesser, football, Southeastern U.
St. Cloud
Amy McNabb, softball, Mercer U. (Ga.)
Beka Benge, basketball, Flagler College
Abbie Tutor, volleyball, Rollins College
Marlana McNutt, softball, Seminole State College
Taylor McFann, softball, Seminole State College
Vanessa Davis, softball, Covenant College (Ga.)
Romeo Medina, football, Southeastern U.
Madelyn Barthle, soccer, Southeastern U.
Noah Craig, soccer, Francis Marion U. (S.C.)
Hannah Wagner, rowing, UCF
Gateway
Finau Fine, football, Steston
Angie Torres, wrestling, Indian Hills Community College (Iowa)
Kyjuan Allen, football, Trine College (Ind.)
Poinciana
Justin Carpenter, football, Florida Memorial U.
Quaylen Hill, football, Florida Memorial U.
Celebration
Vivian Spencer, lacrosse, Cornell U. (N.Y.)
Marquese Carter, wrestling, Iowa Wesleyan
Will Bohn, football, Coffeyville Comm. Coll. (Kan.)
Harmony
Jenna Butcofski, soccer, Florida Gulf Coast
Tyler Lavigne, soccer, UCF
Kenneth Torres, Jr., football, Univ. of West Florida
T.J. Schroeder, football, Monmouth College (Ill.)
Casey Clough, cheerleading, Warner U.
Angie Santos, soccer, Gordon State College (Ga.)
Mackenzie Kish, soccer, Limestone College (S.C.)
Reese Allison, football, West Virginia Wesleyan
Liberty
Christelle Bonzil, track and field, Rice U. (Tex.)
Emilie Edouard, track and field, Wingate U. (N.C.)
Tohopekaliga
Ahmeen Dinzey, football, Samford U. (Ala.)
Kareem Dinzey, football, Univ. of Tennessee-Martin
Nathaniel Isaac, football, Lenoir-Rhyne
DeLeon Sippio, football, U.S. Naval Academy
Carlos Jimenez, soccer, Garnder-Webb U. (N.C.)