Niceville's signing day of 12 includes state champs, record holders, All-Americans

NICEVILLE — Filled with too many state title accolades and school records to count, this signing class was special. Unprecedented, you could even say.

Not just for the Division I recruiting factory that is Niceville High, but for any high school in the Florida Panhandle and nation.

There were a pair of defending state champion throwers in Terrance Powe and Aidan Broussard, the former a discus thrower headed to Florida International University and the latter a javelin man bound for the SEC with the University of Florida.

There was acrobatic sensation and state champion Ava Floro headed to the top program in the land in eight-time national champ Baylor University, and also a three-time state medalist in golfer Gracie Grant, who signed with Dallas Baptist University.

UF signing: Seacoast High track and field standout Jonah Kirspel signs with Gators

'We have more options this year': Why Niceville girls basketball is once again built to win

There was state champion Yaremi Figueroa taking her versatility in track and field to Troy University, and discus "technician" SJ Trube headed to the University of Southern Mississippi.

There was state runner-up and "perfectionist" Van Carter headed to pole vault at Army West Point, and teammate and third-place state finisher Elaina Perkins headed to throw javelin alongside Broussard at Florida.

There was 6-foot-2 post and double-double machine Anna Kimball signing with Rollins College, preceded by three-year starting lineman and "old man" Colin Sorensen being celebrated for his looming early enrollment to Charleston Southern University.

There was a pair of fixtures on the diamond, utility man and team captain Jeremiah Blair signing locally with Pensacola State College and shortstop and "awesome hitter" Macey Kidder making her sister Carley a rival after signing with the University of Mobile.

All in all, there were 12 athletes going to 10 Division I programs and two heralded D-II powerhouses.

Each had their own story worthy of their own signing ceremony. But instead they shared the stage at a packed Niceville High School auditorium with more than 500 friends, teammates, family members, coaches, teachers and administration in attendance. An outside coach speaking on behalf of Carter even took a second to recognize the turnout for an athletic program that signed 38 seniors last year and already has 15 before National Signing Day on Dec. 21st.

For context, nationally 1.68% of student-athletes are awarded college scholarships. Niceville, just based on seniors alone, is shattering that mark. Fittingly, whether stated or implied, "Once an Eagle, always an Eagle" was the finish of all 12 unique speeches.

Broussard, the Florida high school record holder (204 feet, 7 inches) in the javelin and ranked third nationally, will undoubtedly win another state title next spring in his swan song. His throws coach, Emily Webb, recognized his "natural athleticism" when Perkins convinced him to try out for the team last season. The school and state records fell within months.

"He has to be the best javelin thrower I've ever coached," said Webb, who's had 33 throwers at Niceville get college scholarships. "... I expect to see him in the Olympics one day."

Replied Broussard, "With what she's done for me, she's the best coach I've every had in any sport."

Speaking of guys who racked up 10 individual points at state to give the Eagle men a third-consecutive team state title, Powe threw a PR of 168 feet, 5 inches to take gold at state last year. To end his speech, after praising his mom ("the strongest person I know") and siblings, he looked to Webb and said "My twin, my best friend, my second mom ... let's go get another ring."

Perkins, the only athlete Webb has asked to "tone it down" in her nine years coaching at Niceville, tied the school record last year with a javelin throw of 130 feet to finish third at state. Expect her to shatter that mark, said Webb, and win it all in her swan song.

Figueroa, or "Fig," was called by track and field head coach Todd Brigman "the perfect example of what an Eagle athlete looks like." A state champion with a state silver and two bronzes, she's hurdled, thrown, sprinted and relayed for the Eagles. Among many she thanked in her speech, she called her mom "her rock, her best friend" and her dad, "my hero, a hero" to all after his military service.

Carter, who learned to pole vault at just 7 years old, was also a plug-and-play doing hurdles, running relays and doing the long jump. He'll be one of two favorites to win the state pole vault in his swan song, and he said he's "extremely blessed" by Army's heavy courtship.

Sorensen, sporting a healthy beard that earned him the nickname of "old man" on the line, played both ways and was a Dandy Dozen nod. He couldn't officially sign with Charleston Southern because it's too early, but he'll be in Charleston enrolled as a student in January.

Floro, who her head coach Tanya Herndon said "trains hard, loves big," wouldn't take no as an answer from Baylor. So on to Waco she went to show the Bears her athleticism. Soon the offer came.

Kimball, who cut her teeth in the post through a 6-18 campaign and emerged from it stronger to now basically averaging a double-double, has the Eagles 5-2 with a target on their backs.

Grant finishes her career with second-, sixth- and seventh-place showings individually at state for a three-time state runner-up. She departs for DBU after winning three Daily News POY awards and ranked as the top female golfer in 3A.

Trube, whose potential in the discus should lead to qualifying state before his Southern Miss exit, nearly lost his vision last year, but through multiple successful eye procedures mid-season persevered and never missed a practice or meet.

Kidder, who coach Danny Hensley said has athletic gene was in her DNA, has also overcame myriad injuries to reach the next level. "She can hit, run and throw," Hensley said.

Blair, meanwhile, marks the first Niceville signing for Niceville alum and Pensacola State assistant coach Drew Frederic. Wearing his heart on his sleeve Wednesday, the utility man can play catcher and outfield and will pitch this season before heading west on Highway 98 to Pensacola.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Niceville's signing day celebrates 12 student-athletes