On Feb. 3, OHS athletes signed to their respective colleges, marking a stepping stone in the athletes’, the coaches’, and the teams’ lives.

Coach Jason Foss’s athlete, senior Cooper Bradford, is confident in his athlete’s ability at University of North Florida.

“Cooper is attending the University of North Florida,” Foss said. “The University of North Florida has always had a high performing, respected program. They have a winning tradition there and will continue to have success now that they will have a high caliber pitcher like Cooper.”

However, Foss also believes that the baseball team will need to work hard to compensate for Cooper’s departure.

“We will miss his senior leadership as well as his comedic relief during stressful situations,” Foss said. “But, we all know he will go on to be successful at the next level.”

Senior Bridgette Holland, who has been signed to Bucknell University, assesses her signing with more than just an athletic mindset.

“I had about five schools that I was talking to and four or five offered me [a scholarship],” Holland said. “I decided where I wanted to go based on the academics, how I liked the coach, the team. When you go on campus, you can really tell what seems to fit the best.”

The coaches confide in their athlete’s abilities to succeed at their respective colleges.

“Cooper is a starting pitcher with a very good, above average fastball,” Foss said. “He throws around 93 miles per hour, which is difficult for a hitter to see and make contact with. He also strives to be the best pitcher he can be. He is not intimidated on the mound while he is pitching. ”

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