Fort Dorchester celebrated its largest ever cheerleading signing class and a four-time state championship wrestler during its final signing day celebration of the school year.
A total of 18 athletes signed a national letter of intent May 7 during the ceremony in the school's main gym. Students, teachers, administrators, family members and friends joined the athletes as they formerly announced which collegiate athletic program they would join next school year.
Five seniors from the school's competitive cheerleading squad were among the signing class. Avery Peek signed with Piedmont University.
"This is amazing to be here with my teammates," she said. "I feel honored and it's because of my coaches and teammates helping me get here today. Ultimately our team is like another family so this is very exciting."
Three members of the Fort Dorchester Girls Basketball team, three members of the Patriots Track and Field team and three members of the Fort Football team inked a commitment that day. Other signees included a flag football player, cross country runner, soccer player and the school's most successful wrestler.
Ricky Springs claimed his fourth consecutive individual state wrestling championship this Winter.
"It's still a little surreal for me," Springs said. "It's something I had been working for since my eighth-grade year and it led up to all of this. Seeing all these people here just having a great time, I'm happy to see it."
He chose to sign with the Newberry College Wrestling team.
"During my visit I was able to bond with the wrestlers there," he said. "We were together 24-7 and it just felt like family."
Fort Dorchester Signees
Avery Peek, Piedmont University Cheer
Gabby Streeter, Charleston Southern University Cheer
Perla Velasco, Lander University Cheer
Rylie Grace Smith, Furman University Cheer
Ta'Nayah Grant Lander University Cheer
Antonia Strothers, USC Salkahatchie Women's Basketball
Ciara Byrd, USC Salkahatchie Women's Basketball
Kai Mack, Wingate University Women's Basketball
Cailynn Webber, Wingate University Flag Football
Lai'Lah Holman, South Carolina State University Women's Track and Field
Saniyah Joyner, USC Upstate Women's Track and Field
Jusaint Conde, Columbia College Track and Field
Elijah Fink, Columbia College Cross Country
Jaxon King, Erskine College Football
Nasir Speights, Hastings College Football
Darryl Caldwell, Brevard College Football
Andrew Smith, Columbia College Soccer
Ricky Springs, Newberry College Wrestling