Six local athletes sign college deals Wednesday

Corbin Redhound Zack Ingle signs to play football for Southern Illinois University

On Wednesday, February 4 a total of six high school athletes in our coverage area signed on to play their respective sports in college.

Inside the gymnasium at Corbin High School, Redhound football players Zack Ingle and Dalton Anderson made it official that they will be competing at the next level starting this fall. Ingle, who is headed to Southern Illinois University to play on the offensive line for the Salukis, said “This has been a long process for me and my family. They contacted me back during the summer, and they said that they were interested in recruiting me. I sent them game film throughout the season, and finally they said that they wanted me to come for an official visit. I went, fell in love with it, and committed to them that weekend.”

Corbin football Head Coach Justin Haddix said, “It is really good for our program to be sending kids to play at college. Zack was a leader for us on offense this past season, and he really set the tone up front. He is going to have an opportunity to play at a high level of football at SIU, and I am happy for him.”

In a press release posted on the SIU athletics website Wednesday, Salukis Head Coach Dale Lennon said of his new signee, "If you’re familiar with Kentucky football, Corbin High School has a strong tradition. This is a football-is-king type of school, and he’s a big physical offensive lineman that’s right in the mold that we’re looking for. If you’ll see here in the offensive line position, something we emphasized in recruiting this year was to find an offensive tackle-type lineman, so of the five lineman that we signed, four of them have that offensive tackle look to them. Actually, they can play other positions, but there was a little more emphasis put on that type individual."

Corbin Redhound Dalton Anderson signs to play football for University of the Cumberlands

Anderson, who will be staying closer to home to play linebacker for the University of the Cumberlands Patriots, said of his signing, “At first I really wasn’t expecting to play football in college, but Cumberlands has been great to me. I have been in contact with the coaches down there, and they have really made me feel at home. I feel like UC is going to be a great fit for me personally. It just seemed like the best place for me to go. I am also very excited about getting to play for Coach (Steve) Jewell again.”

Coach Jewell, who led the Corbin Redhounds football program for several years and was recently named the new defensive coordinator at UC, said at Anderson’s signing, “I am ecstatic to be able to have Dalton on the team. Hopefully we can get him right in the mix. He is an extremely aggressive football player, and that’s what I’m looking for with the defense that I am going to be running. I love his character and attitude also. I love everything about him, and I’m looking forward to coaching him again over the next four years.”

Haddix said of Anderson, “Dalton was our captain on defense, and was a key to our success in 2014. I told the kids when I first got here that the farther we progress into the season, the more you’ll get noticed by college coaches. He definitely helped us to go far, and like Zack he will now have the opportunity to continue playing and get a college education.”

Corbin Lady Hound Kaitlyn Waddle signing to play soccer for Lincoln Memorial University

Also from Corbin was Kaitlyn Waddle, who has committed to play soccer at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN as a Lady Railsplitter.

Waddle said of this opportunity, “I’m really excited. I wanted to go to LMU not just for soccer, but also to enroll in their veterinary program. I want to be a vet, and they have a really good program there. As for soccer, I have gotten to know some of the girls and the coaches, and I think they will really help me to reach my full potential as a player. I am excited to see what the future will hold.”

Waddle’s head coach during her time as a Lady Redhound, Erik Steely, said of his former player, “I have had the opportunity to coach Kaitlyn for eight years. She has started every single game of her high school career, and has led the team in assists since her freshman year. She has also made the All-Region team every single year she has played. The most remarkable thing about her is who she is as a person, though. Her character and integrity is as high as anyone I have ever met at her age. She is one of the most complete human beings I know, and it has been an absolute honor to coach her.”

LMU soccer Head Coach Helio D’Anna said in a phone interview, “Kaitlyn is a real coachable kid. She has been coming to campus for a few years now for camps. During that time she has interacted with the coaching staff and some of the players. I think she feels at home here, and I believe she has good potential. She is the total package, being at a high-level both academically and athletically.”

Williamsburg Yellow Jacket Chris Helton signing to play football for Union College

Also signing college deals on Wednesday were three Williamsburg Yellow Jacket football players – Chris Helton, Ethan Wilson and Fred Massey. All three have signed to play at Union College in Barbourville beginning next season.

Helton has been brought on to play at the nose guard position, Wilson will be playing on the offensive line, and Massey will play running back for the Bulldogs.

Williamsburg Yellow Jacket Ethan Wilson signs with Union College

Union football Head Coach Zak Willis said of his new signees, “All three are impact players and great kids. Chris is arguably the best pure nose guard in the state of Kentucky. He is strong, explosive, and a perfect fit for our program. I believe that Ethan’s best days are definitely ahead of him as an offensive lineman. He has great size, quick feet, and a good mind for the game of football. Fred is a classic, big back who can run with a lot of power and energy. All three are winners.”

Williamsburg Head Coach Jerry Herron added, “When you look at these kids and what they’ve been able to accomplish in their playing careers and in the classroom, it’s really remarkable. They are just great kids all-around, and we’re excited about them getting the opportunity to go play at Union. The nice thing is they won’t have to change their colors, trading in the black and orange of the Yellow Jackets for the black and orange of the Bulldogs.”

“In all seriousness, I feel like this is a good fit for them. Coach Willis and his staff have been there with them from the start, and they seem to be really happy and excited about where they’re going. We’re proud of where they’ve gotten themselves to.”

Williamsburg Yellow Jacket Fred Massey sigining with Union College

As for how Helton feels about this new opportunity, he said, “This is a great feeling to be able to go to Union with both of my boys. This will be a new start, a new beginning for us.”

Wilson added, “This has always been a dream of mine to play college football, and now I finally get the chance to do that with two of my close friends.”

Massey said, “I’m ready to get in there and work hard. I’m glad to go with two of my teammates. We’re ready to go and win some football games.”

More local area athletes have announced their intentions to sign college deals in the coming weeks and months. The News Journal will continue to bring you coverage of those events as they take place.