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Landrum High School Seniors Damar Davis (track and field) and Franklin Davis (basketball) sign letters of intent to play their respective sports at Limestone University as their parents, Duron and Luciana Davis, look on. (Photo by Storme Smith)

LHS Senior Elizabeth Fincher (track and field) signed to compete for Lander University next year. (Photo by Storme Smith)

LHS Senior Amara Hille (track and field) signed to compete for Lander University next year. (Photo by Storme Smith)

LHS Senior Marc Baker (track and field) signed to compete for MIT next season. (Photo by Storme Smith)

LHS Senior Braden Mashtere (football) signed to play for Gardner-Webb next year. (Photo by Storme Smith)

LHS Senior Sydney Price (softball) signed to play for North Greenville University next year. (Photo by Storme Smith)

LHS Senior Sawyer Smith (baseball) signed to play for Erskine next year. (Photo by Storme Smith)

LANDRUM—On Wednesday afternoon, in the Landrum High School gym, eight Cardinal student-athletes across six sports teams signed letters of intent to play their chosen sports at the collegiate level. 

The signing day event, a testament to the athletic talent at Landrum High School, kicked off with twin brothers Damar Davis, who competes in track and field, and Franklin Davis, who plays basketball, committing to play their respective sports at Limestone University next year. 

The twins’ father, Duron Davis, said their success proves that hard work pays off. 

“They’ve always done everything together except for playing on the same team, and now they’ll be going to college together,” he said. Their mother, Lucian Davis, added, “We’re so proud of them, feeling blessed and very excited that they get to take this journey together.”

Track and field athlete Elizabeth Fincher committed to Lander University. “I’m so excited to take track further in life,” she said, “and I couldn’t be happier with the school I’ve chosen.”

Amara Hille also competes in track and field, and she committed to Lander University as well. Her coach, Christian Solby, praised her for her leadership as a Senior and for helping to mentor the next generation of runners. Hille graciously thanked her teammates, coaches and parents while sharing her excitement for being able to continue competing in the future. 

Some of the highest praise came for Marc Baker, a three-sport star who signed to compete in track and field for MIT. Baker’s coaches praised his positive effect on those around him and his leadership qualities. “Huge thanks to both my parents, who have been hugely supportive of everything I’ve done,” Baker said,  “and to so many coaches, teachers, and teammates who have supported me.”

Gardner-Webb University received a commitment from Braden Mashtere to play football for them next season. Mashtere said, “This has been a long-time dream to play college football, and I want to thank God for making this possible.”

Landrum softball head coach Sandy Price spoke with pride about her daughter Sydney Price, who committed to play softball for North Greenville University. “I’ve been blessed to be involved in her high school career,” said Sandy. “She works, she is a competitor and she gives it her all.”

The final commitment of the day was Sawyer Smith, who signed to play baseball for Erskine. 

“Sawyer is someone I wish I could have coached for more than three years,” his coach Justin Henson said. “He’s going to end his career as a .300 hitter, and he sets the example for how we want our kids to play at Landrum High School.” 

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