Stallion athletes will continue their playing days in college

Seven South Pointe students signed documents Wednesday that continue their athletic careers at the college level.

Wyatt Reid, Olivia Paxton, Quay Brown, Greg Ruff, Paden Lipe, Izzy Clark and Jamie Rankin all stifled their nerves and sat in front of a big group gathered in the school’s media center to commit to potentially four more years of their preferred sports.

Wyatt Reid

Reid signed to play golf at Erskine College where he plans to major in business management. Erskine has three different golf squads and Reid would obviously like to play on the A team right away if possible. He initiated contact with Erskine’s coach.

“When I went to visit, the campus was really pretty,” Reid said. “I just liked the feel. It felt good. You get closer relationships with your teachers.”

Olivia Paxton

Paxton signed to run at Winthrop, where her father, Ben Paxton, is the Eagles’ track and field coach. Paxton actually signed last Wednesday.

“Today was to be able to do it with some friends,” she said.

Many student athletes mention a connection with the coach when asked why they chose a certain school. Paxton – who plans to major in marketing or sports management – certainly has a connection with her future coach.

“I think it’s gonna be really exciting,” she said. “He’s my dad, he gets me, so he knows how to train me. The team is awesome and they’re really good.”

Quay Brown

The sure-handed wide receiver signed to play football at Limestone. Opportunities at N.C. Central and Tennessee State fell through for Brown, so he landed at Limestone with a chip on his shoulder.

“If I go to Limestone, I had something to prove and I can be me,” said Brown, who became South Pointe’s first 1,000-yard receiver last fall.

Brown plans to major in sports or business management. He liked the distance between Limestone and his family in Rock Hill.

“I’m far enough to where I can be away,” Brown said. “But I’m also close enough where if I need to go home, I can go home.”

Greg Ruff

Ruff closed a storied career at South Pointe by signing to play football at Newberry. As the Stallions’ starting QB, Ruff led the school to two state championships, while earning All-Area player of the year honors from The Herald and 3A state player of the year recognition from the High School Sports Report this past season.

Ruff isn’t the biggest football player, a fact that stunted his recruitment. He was grateful for the opportunity to show what he can do at Newberry, where he’ll get a chance to play quarterback.

“It’s a good relief off my shoulders, that I’m finally going somewhere,” Ruff said. “I just liked the family environment down there.”

Paden Lipe

Lipe signed with his South Pointe teammates on Wednesday, even though he doesn’t actually attend the school. He goes to Academy Christian School, south of Rock Hill, but is allowed to play at South Pointe because it’s his home district. Lipe will play college football at North Greenville.

“I was hoping four years ago just to be able to play high school football,” he said.

As South Pointe coach Strait Herron pointed out, Lipe is continuing to grow and fill out his frame.

“I don’t know fully what I’m gonna be playing there yet. I don’t believe it’ll be offensive lineman, but I’m willing to play whatever the coaches see me as a best fit,” said Lipe. “I’m just gonna take this opportunity and roll with it.”

Izzy Clark

Clark signed to play women’s basketball at Johnson and Wales University last week. She’ll study business administration at the downtown Charlotte school that focuses on preparing students for careers in the dining and hospitality industries.

Clark said her mind was set on going somewhere where she could create her own legacy, something she can do at Johnson and Wales, which just completed its second season of women’s basketball. Clark – a 3A All-State selection in 2015 and an All-Area pick each of the last two seasons – also had an offer from The Apprentice School, a merchant marine trade school in Virginia.

Jamie Rankin

South Pointe’s softball slugger, Jamie Rankin, signed with Columbia College. Rankin is batting .482 this season and Columbia made her feel wanted.

“I liked the school and it’s small, so it’ll be good for my academics,” said Rankin, who plans on studying elementary education and wants to teach art.

Rankin will most likely pitch for the Koalas softball team.

“It was a long time coming, but I was grateful for this opportunity,” she said.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 2:46 PM with the headline "Stallion athletes will continue their playing days in college."