SILER CITY — A staple during the spring, athletes from across the county — and country — are choosing the next step in their academic and athletic careers, signing letters of intent with colleges and universities to commit to playing at the next level.
In Chatham, three local athletes — two from Northwood, one from Jordan-Matthews — held small signing day events at their high schools within the last week.
During Thursday’s signing day at Northwood, the Chargers’ Hunter Klingel committed to Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, where he’ll play lacrosse for the Bobcats. Klingel spent his Northwood career as a goalkeeper for the Chargers’ lacrosse team, racking up over 225 saves and a .630 save percentage in four seasons, according to MaxPreps.
Northwood’s Hue Jacobs committed to Guilford College in Greensboro, where he’ll play football for the Quakers next season. Jacobs has been a key piece of both Northwood’s ferocious rushing attack and defense as a fullback and middle linebacker during his career with the Chargers.
Jordan-Matthews held a signing day for Carson Rickman, who committed to Greensboro College, where he’ll play baseball for the Pride. Rickman is a key member of a J-M team on the rise, boasting a 4-1 record last season before the pandemic hit, along with a 2-0 record so far this season.
“I went to meet (the folks at Greensboro College) in December and I went around the campus and toured the baseball field and I liked it there, it’s a small school,” Rickman said a couple of hours after signing. “I just felt comfortable. ... (I’m looking forward to) the college experience, meeting new teammates, traveling, those are the big keys to it.”
Reporter Victor Hensley can be reached at vhensley@chathamnr.com or on Twitter at @Frezeal33.