Student Handbook Update

Going pro

How high school athletes prepare for college athletics

Mia Brant brantmia000@hsestudents.org

Nearly eight million high school students in the U.S. participate in high school athletics, but only 6% of those students go on to play for college teams according to e National Federation of State High School Associations. Every year, students at FHS put in grueling hours before and a er school to be a part of that 6%. “What [college] coaches are really looking for is people of character, people that work hard, people that are team players and team committed,” swim coach Joseph Keller said. College scouts come from across the country to evaluate athletes’ performances at games and meets. According to Keller, college scouts can start communicating with students as soon as their sophomore year. “It was probably my sophomore year,” senior Carson Dunn said. “I was just going to some showcases and some colleges started reaching out.” Dunn committed to Indiana State University in June this year to play football. According to him, this is a dream that he has worked hard towards since he started playing football as a toddler. “I’ve just been working my tail o and keeping up with my grades,” Dunn said. “Academics come rst.” For some athletes, getting a recruiter’s attention can be di cult. Standing out and working hard is important for students interested in playing college sports. “It’s a hard period of time to get recruited,” Dunn said. “A lot of kids might get some o ers or more interest before you, so you have to stick with it.” Like many other college-bound students, o entimes student athletes cross their ngers to hear from their favorite universities. Senior Jojo Ramey is no exception. “[University of] Florida has always been one of my top schools,” Ramey said. “When they reached out to me, I was so excited.” Ramey is committed to the University of Florida for swimming. She is currently on the USA National Swim Team and placed sixth in the 2021 Olympic Swim Trials. “I would have to sacri ce some things like social life,” Ramey said. “I went to go see a nutritionist and then I did extra weight training.” Ramey attributes her success to her excessive training and unbeatable times. Her payo has been achieving something that she thought was a fantasy. “It’s just a dream, but then a er I had a breakout, I was like, okay, maybe this can be a reality,” Ramey said.

QR code to NCAA recruiting fact sheet.