By BAKER ELLIS / Sports Editor

CHELSEA – The Chelsea Hornets had a signing day ceremony on National Signing Day, Feb. 3, for six seniors who signed with six different colleges to continue their athletic careers at the next level. Two softball players, two baseball players, one boy and one girls soccer player represented Chelsea at the ceremony.

The six student-athletes who signed were as follows. Alex Smithson signed to play softball with Southern Union, Sophie Wilson signed with Troy University to play soccer, McKenzie Bryant signed with Wallace State Community College to play softball, Jake Posey signed to play baseball at Montevallo, Joel Cheatwood signed with Snead State to play baseball and Markus Frederick signed with Holmes Community College to play soccer.

A number of Chelsea coaches and administrators spoke on the day. Coaches from each of the players’ programs spoke about the commitment and dedication it has taken these six athletes to get to this point in their athletic and academic careers.

“This day is for you,” Chelsea head baseball coach Michael Stallings said during the ceremony. “The thing that stands out to me the most on day like this is talent. They are very talented student-athletes. But there is so much more that goes into this than talent.”

Smithson and Bryant will be two of the integral cogs responsible for helping Chelsea’s softball program back into the playoffs, while Cheatwood and Posey will be the two aces on the mound this season for Chelsea’s baseball team before joining the collegiate ranks. Cheatwood threw 48 innings a season ago and maintained a 2.18 ERA while also batting .303. Posey on the other hand led the Hornets a season ago in innings pitched with 56 and maintained a 2.37 ERA and stuck out 62.

Frederick has the potential to graduate from Chelsea with almost every goalie record the school has, according to boys’ head coach Wilee Miller. The Hornets missed the playoffs a season ago, and if Chelsea wants to make a run this season, Frederick will play a vital role between the posts. Wilson, on the other hand, has played all over the field during her time at Chelsea. Head girls coach Jonathan Hammett will rely heavily on his senior if the Lady Hornets are to make another playoff run.

All six will enroll at their respective schools after their graduation in May.