CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Earlier this month, West Creek High Athletics celebrated five seniors across five sports signing their national letters of intent to play their sport at the next level.
The list of the five student-athletes included Jayden Hines (Football – Western Kentucky University), Aniya Sims (Softball – Bethel University), Madison Carbin (Cheerleading – Austin Peay State University), Madison Bennett (Soccer – University of Montevallo) and Shawnti Graham (Volleyball – Shawnee State University).
Clarksville Now spoke with West Creek head football head coach Rob Gallowitz and asked what it meant for Jayden Hines to sign with Western Kentucky, as he is only the second player from West Creek to sign at the FBS level, the first since 2012.
“When he was a freshman, I told his mom that if he worked hard, he’d have at least a shot to play at that level,” Gallowitz said. “To see it come true, it’s kind of a testament to what we’ve been preaching to the kids. If you stay in the weight room, stay in the classroom and keep your grades up, it’ll end up working out.”
Another student-athlete to highlight out of this signing class was soccer standout Madison Bennett. During Bennett’s senior year she was one of the leading goal scorers in all of Tennessee.
“Maddie is such a gifted goal scorer,” said West Creek soccer coach Micheal Irby. “Even when double or triple-teamed, you always feel she is just a touch away from scoring. As the season went on, she expanded her game and became more of a facilitator. Maddie is one of the best athletes in middle Tennessee. She would have excelled at any sport she devoted her time to.”