INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — For St. Ed’s student-athletes Sara Swift, Christiana Butz, Morgan Falkenhagen and Terrell Sands, college signing day brought the past, present and future together in a swirl of emotions mixed with relief, pride, and an enduring commitment to press onward with the hard work and dedication that enabled them to reach this point.
About 100 family, friends, coaches and school staff attended the brief signing ceremony in the school’s main gymnasium.
A strong contingent of fellow seniors was also on hand to share in the celebration.
“It was an exciting day all-around for the school, but mainly for the parents and kids,” Athletic Director Jeff Lamscha said afterwards. “It was their time to shine. It was amazing to have all four sign at once and to see the excitement in their eyes. It was an outstanding way for them to start, in a sense, their college careers.”
After putting ink to paper and before cake was served, all four said their final decisions on choosing a college had centered mainly on strong academics, a beautiful campus setting, and a comfortable fit with coaches and future teammates.
Highly decorated tennis star Sara Swift chose Wake Forest University for her next stop.
“I’ve spent countless years playing tennis and it’s nice that it has all finally paid off. I’m going to the ACC so I feel like I have to work harder to be prepared for that. But it’s nice to have it out of the way and be able to enjoy my senior year with friends and family. Obviously it takes a bunch of pressure off, but I still need to get better. There’s plenty of work still to be done.”
Christiana Butz, Terrell Sands and Morgan Falkenhagen received scholarships to play lacrosse in college and can hardly wait.
“This has been a goal of mine for a really long time,” Christiana said. “When it all started coming together I just couldn’t believe it.”
Christiana will be reunited with her brother Andrew and former lacrosse teammate Chloe O’Haire at the University of Florida. Andrew made a name for himself by winning state titles playing singles and doubles tennis for the Pirates. Christiana stayed with Chloe on her official visit to Gainesville the week before signing.
“I’ve always wanted to be a part of the Gator Nation,” Christiana added. “I’m excited that the day has finally come.”
Terrell Sands made his decision after he was “blown away” by his visit to High Point University.
“This day means so much to me, so many years of hard work all boiling down to this. It’s amazing to think that I’ve made it this far, from starting lacrosse in the seventh grade, working hard every day, pushing every day to get a little better. Now I’m finally here, going to High Point University.”
Morgan Falkenhagen was sidelined with a back injury last year.
She was able to rehab and is preparing now for a productive senior year in lacrosse by playing a major role on a different school team. She scored a goal last week in Lamscha’s 300th win as the coach of the varsity girls soccer team.
“It’s definitely fun to make a decision, but it’s also serious,” Morgan said. “I have achieved one of my major goals. Furman University has a brand-new lacrosse program and is everything I wanted in a school.”
Mike Mersky, head of school at St. Ed’s, reflected on this banner day for the signees in terms of what they have accomplished and enshrined as a legacy.
“These four student-athletes are great examples of contributing individuals at Saint Edward’s School,” Mersky said. “They are students first, and they have all been a part of more than one team or school activity, which best exemplifies what a true college preparatory liberal arts education is all about at our school.”