From left, Dobyns-Bennett student athletes Graham Irvin, Claudia Maness, Brayden Simpson, Bryson Broadwater, Gavin Commerford, Garrett Crowder and Nolan Hill all signed Wednesday to continue their academic and athletic careers in college.
From left, Dobyns-Bennett student athletes Graham Irvin, Claudia Maness, Brayden Simpson, Bryson Broadwater, Gavin Commerford, Garrett Crowder and Nolan Hill all signed Wednesday to continue their academic and athletic careers in college.
The traditional college lifestyle didn’t align with Garrett Crowder’s interests. He had a much bigger goal in mind.
And not just from a wrestling standpoint. At Dobyns-Bennett High School’s signing day ceremony on Wednesday, Crowder officially signed to continue his wrestling career at the United States Naval Academy.
He’d reached out to the Midshipmen coaching staff and tried to gain an idea of what to expect, finally experiencing the Annapolis campus in the fall of his senior year.
“I loved the team dynamic,” Crowder recalled. “I just wanted something different than traditional college party life. I wanted to do something different and actually serve my country and my world.”
And while he has an uncle who served in the U.S. Navy, Crowder will be the first in his immediate family to follow that path.
Far as studies go, Crowder has until the end of his freshman year to choose his major. He anticipates going the general science or political science route, while aiming to pursue a career in government contracting. But first, Crowder intends to work in cybersecurity or intel while serving in the Navy.
“Another one of my main goals was just impact, specifically what I can do to improve my society and community,” Crowder said. “I think this is the best route for me to do that.”
Boot camp, which begins June 27 for Crowder, will allow him all the more opportunity to train for college level wrestling.
It might or might not be as intense as going one-on-one with his brother, junior Gavin Crowder, on the wrestling mat in their basement.
“We practice moves in our basement whenever we can’t practice at the school,” Garrett said. “It’s been good to have him help push me and help me continue my wrestling experience.”
Garrett reached the TSSAA state tournament once again this season, going 43-5 overall and finishing state runner-up in the 215-pound division.
OTHER SIGNEES
Brayden Simpson, D-B’s record-breaking hurdler, will continue his track and field career close to home at Milligan University.
Tribe swimmer Nolan Hill will join him there, as part of the Buffaloes’ swim team.
Claudia Maness became the latest Dobyns-Bennett softball player to further her career, having signed with Pikeville.
Gavin Commerford, a lineman for D-B’s football team, will continue his journey at Emory & Henry.
Soccer midfielder Bryson Broadwater signed with Christian Brothers University, and Graham Irvin signed to play baseball at Southwest Virginia Community College.
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