Wilson Student-Athletes Announce College Choices

FISHERSVILLE - Wilson Memorial hosted its College Signing Ceremony on Tuesday at the school library with eight Hornets announcing their college choices.

A pair of girls’ basketball players will continue their careers at the college level.

CC Robinson, who scored more than 1,000 points and grabbed more than 1000 rebounds during her career will attend Roanoke College. “Aside from basketball, I loved the school, loved the campus,” said Robinson. “I really liked the coaches and players. I think it’s a good fit for me, both athletically and academically.”

Robinson, who is undecided on a major at this point, also likes the location. “I knew I wanted to stay in state. My parents are really important to me. Playing in the ODAC will give them the chance to see a lot of my games,” Robison said.

Wilson teammate Sabrina Reeves will play hoops at Mary Baldwin University. “I liked the Mary Baldwin community. It’s close and I wanted to stay close to home for my family,” said Reeves.

The Wilson guard is also excited to be a part of the resurgence of the Fighting Squirrels basketball program. MBU put the program on the shelf this past season due to a lack of players, but the team will be back on the court this winter with new coach Brad Rideout. Rideout comes to MBU from Paul Smith’s College in New York where he was the women’s basketball team’s head coach.

Wilson pitcher Ryan McDaniel will continue his career at Bluefield College. “It’s a very small campus. It’s a Christian college and that appeals to me. I have some friends there. It’s a good fit,” said McDaniel. 

McDaniel will join former Wilson teammate Jaden Rose, who just completed his freshman season, as part of the Bluefield pitching staff.

McDaniel plans to work this summer to prepare for the fall season. “I need to get stronger, get in better shape,” said McDaniel. “I’m looking forward to showing the coaching staff that I have what it takes to get on that college mound.”

Three Wilson softball players – Kaylee Stevens, Karter Fortune and Gabby Shaver – announced their college destinations.

Stevens, a pitcher for the Hornets, will go the JUCO route and attend Louisburg College. “I’m going to study nursing, and the four-year schools didn’t want to work with me to help me do nursing and play softball,” said Stevens. “It’s easier to go the junior college route and play for two years.”

Like McDaniel, Stevens knows what she needs to do this summer in order to be ready for the fall. “Biggest thing is cardio. I’ve got to bet in better shape,” she said. 

Like Stevens, Shaver is going the JUCO route, heading to Richard Bland College. The Wilson senior has her plans mapped out. “I want to play softball for two years and then transfer and study to become a dental hygienist,” Shaver said. “I didn’t want to go to a bigger school and not play.”

Fortune will be joining McDaniel as she will also attend Bluefield. “I really like the coach,” said Fortune who will probably play in the outfield at Bluefield. The Wilson senior is venturing a little farther from home than she would like. “I need to work on being more independent. I’ll be completely on my own. That’s going to be different.”

Fortune intends to major in business.

Hornets track and field standout Ava Ferraro will attend Johnson & Wales University.

Ferraro will be one of the favorites at the upcoming Shenandoah District Championship Meet to be held on her home track. Ferraro is the top-ranked triple jumper in the district with a best this season of 35 feet, 6 inches. She ranks No. 9 in Class 3 in the triple jump. Ferraro ranked No. 2 in the district in the long jump with a best of 16 feet, 6 inches, trailing her teammate Desi Mensah by less than three inches.

Kara Turner will be heading to Roanoke College to compete in competition cheer. She is the second local athlete to join the Maroons cheer program as Riverheads’ Happy Huffer will also be part of the cheer squad.

“I’ve been cheering since I was 3,” said Turner. “I love doing it.

“Roanoke is a small college and it’s not far from home. Roanoke gives me the opportunity to cheer along with a major in athletic training,” said Turner.