The McCallie School held a ceremony in its Sports and Activities Center for three student-athletes who all signed NCAA Division I National letters of intent on Wednesday morning.
Senior Will Jackson committed to The University of Tennessee to continue his swimming career. Jackson won the 2019 state championship with the McCallie swim team and also bagged three specific event state titles in the 500 Freestyle, 400 Freestyle Relay and the 200 Freestyle Relay.
“Last year as an 11th grader, was a breakout year for him,” said McCallie Head Swim Coach Stan Corcoran. “He ended up with three first places and second place in the State High School meet, two school records, four All-American times and his 200 Freestyle time was one of the top 30 in the country. This year he is looking to add more school records and will easily make All-American in most of his swims at the state meet.”
Coach Corcoran had high praise for Jackson, as he believes that the Tennessee commit will challenge for a spot on the 2024 Olympic 200 Freestyle Relay team.
“Tennessee is the spot for me,” said Jackson. “I could not be more excited to be swimming for my home state. Go Vols baby!”
McCallie’s second Division I signing on the day was senior Andrew Prescott, who will continue his soccer career at East Tennessee State University. Prescott led the McCallie soccer team to a state championship last year and was a pivotal member of the 2017 state championship winning team. Last year Prescott posted nine shutouts, was voted 2019 All-State goalkeeper, Best of Preps, First Team All-Region and First Team All-State.
“I thought this kid could be special,” said McCallie Head Coach Chris Cushenbery after he saw Prescott play as a 6th grader. “Andrew is professional in the way he goes about everything that he does. He warms up well, cools down well and he treats every drill like it’s a match. When you handle things that professionally you are going to be successful.”
Throughout Prescott’s career he has looked up to American goal keeper, Tim Howard and former football player, Time Tebow.
“In soccer (my idol is) Tim Howard, after the 2014 World Cup he became an American idol and he is definitely someone that I look up to,” Prescott said. “Also Tim Tebow. The way he acts and carries himself is exceptional. Just the way he walks in Christ is someone who I aspire to be like.”
Prescott is the only Division I soccer commit in the Chattanooga surrounding area and will join the ETSU Buccaneers Men’s soccer team next fall. ETSU finished 8-8-2 and fell in the Southern Conference quarterfinals to Belmont this year.
Senior Carter Edge was McCallie’s third Division I signing of the day as he will continue his baseball career at Middle Tennessee State University. Edge is the starting catcher for the Blue Tornado baseball team. His 2019 stats include a .304 with two home runs, 14 RBI’s, 13 extra base hits and threw out 12 base stealers last season.
“The number one thing that he (Edge) has – that I don’t think I’ve ever seen in a high school athlete – is his work ethic,” said McCallie Head baseball Coach Tim Costo. “About a year ago we had a double header up in Nashville, it was about 100 degrees, he caught two games, and when we got back he got a bucket of balls and hit for an hour. No high school baseball player does that.”
Coach Costo firmly believes that Edge will have no problems playing at the next level. Edge had been looking forward to this day for a long time and is excited to see what the future has in store for him.
“I have been waiting a long time to commit and now to sign,” said Edge. “Out of the offers that I had, it (MTSU) felt like home. One, it was closer to home and two, the coaches made me feel like I was where I needed to be.”
All three McCallie student-athletes will hope to finish strong as their respective seasons get underway in the coming months.