By Joey McWilliams
DURANT – Signing Day is a big day both nationally for fans and individually for the student-athletes preparing themselves for the next level.
Sports presented by Indian Nation Wholesale.
It is the first Wednesday in February and it is the day on which athletes can officially commit on paper to attend the college of their choice. Signing Day often involves athletes who are committing in sports like football, softball, soccer, volleyball and more.
Sean Cooper, owner of C4 Sports Performance and Fitness, opened up his studio on Wednesday night to friends and family of those who had made commitments in various sports and recognized them with a special gathering.
Cooper spoke to those in attendance about his goals and dreams for people of all ages. Since the opening of the business a couple of years ago, adults and youth from all around the area have come to be trained in fitness and life.
Cooper then presented a special speaker for the evening. Raheem Wilson, a former standout at Southeastern addressed the crowd.
The all-time leader in interceptions for SE football, Wilson has recently returned from a season in the German Football League. His team, the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, won this year’s German Bowl – the championship of the League – defeating the New Yorker Lions, 14-13.
Wilson spoke about confidence. He challenged the signees and all listening to believe in themselves.
The night was about the athletes, though, and Cooper recognized them individually.
Shayla Harper, from Durant, has signed to play softball for Seminole State. She’ll be joined next year at SSC by Kiersten McCraw, from Tushka, who also signed to play softball there.
Silo’s McKenzie Rogers signed recently to play golf at Murray State.
Hunter Hawthorne, from Bells, Texas, signed to play football at Southeastern.
Cooper also recognized Brandon Davis, who trains at C4, for his decision in moving to the next stage in life. Davis has decided not to continue a path in football, but he will be attending the University of Oklahoma and plans to major in kinesiology.