Two Airport athletes sign to play at collegiate level

By Katie C.

On February 1, Airport athletes Alaina Merrick and DJ McFadden met in the Airport auditorium to sign to continue their sports at the collegiate level. Their family, friends, and coaches were all there to support the two.

Alaina Merrick has committed to Newberry College for cheer. Merrick is a main base for Airport cheer and has been cheering for Airport since she was a sophomore. DJ McFadden has committed to play for Butler Community College in Kansas. DJ has played for Airport since his freshman year and his position is defensive line.

These athletes were signed on February 1, which is national signing day! National Signing Day is usually the first day that a senior can sign a letter of intent to play a sport for a school. Though it is national signing day, there are multiple other days of the year that are considered special signing days for different divisions of college, such as November 9th which is for all D1 and D2 sports outside of football or basketball.

Airport’s athletic director, Andre Cook, was interviewed about the signing day. “I hope it motivates other kids to want to do better…if you’re getting another chance to play, to prove yourself, you’re in a very small percentage of athletes and that’s something to be celebrated.” Cook wishes we could have more athletes earn scholarships and is excited about the upcoming signings in the future.

When asked what he thinks the most important thing about being recruited is, he says, “You have to take care of your grades and make sure you’re always working on your craft.” and continues to say “Make sure you love what you’re doing…Because if you love something you’re going to put everything you got into it.”

Their teammates, faculty, coaches and the athletes' families were there to watch the two sign and were so proud of both of them! Everyone is excited to see how they do with their sports in the years to come.

Alaina Merrick is not the first cheerleader to sign to Newberry though. Lexi Bertwell also signed to Newberry as a side base a few months prior.

Another article on the athletes’ signing is on Airport High School's website. To see Alaina Merrick and Lexi Bertwell continue their cheer journey at Newberry follow Newberry cheer on Instagram @newberrywolvescheer.