After a standout sophomore soccer season in 2019, McCallie midfielder Neal Carlson did not let the TSSAA's cancellation of spring sports this year discourage him in his long-range plans to play NCAA Division I soccer.
And on Wednesday, Carlson announced his commitment to Southern Methodist University.
SMU finished the 2019 season 18-2-1 and with a No. 5 national ranking. The Mustangs play in the American Athletic Conference, which has moved its season for the 2020-21 school year from the fall to the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the pandemic also shut down a promising season for McCallie - the Blue Tornado had a No. 2 national ranking and were aiming for their second straight state championship - Carlson challenged himself in other ways.
"Neal went home and started training with the best college players in Birmingham (Alabama)," McCallie coach Chris Cushenbery said of the program's seventh player to commit to a Division I program since 2017. "He went to work every day with those guys who played at some of the top colleges in the country. His work ethic is phenomenal, and he is one of the most versatile players we have ever had."
Carlson scored the winning goal in the 2019 TSSAA Division II-AA title game, finishing the season with nine goals and 13 assists. He has a 4.18 GPA this semester, and in the spring he will try to help McCallie win its third state title in five years. He has also played center back for the Chattanooga Red Wolves U18/U19 club team and dreams of one day playing professionally in Europe.
"I know the game of soccer really well, which has helped me out a lot," the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder said. "I use my brain to get in the right positions and make the tackle or clearance when the time comes to do it."
GIRLS' BASKETBALL
Notre Dame 57, Collegedale 23: Kenzie Campbell scored all 19 of her points through the first three quarters of Wednesday's road win, and Tori Soutuyo added 11 for Notre Dame (3-3).
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.