Destiny Sweeney (seated from left) and Sydney Rector signed letters of intent this week to continue their athletic careers in college. Sweeney is headed to Lees McCrae for track and field, while Rector will play softball at Ferrum. Also pictured are (back row from left) Sweeney’s parents, Danny and Mellissa Sweeney, and Rector’s parent’s, Christie and James Leech.
Eastern Montgomery County High School will have two more student-athletes to continue their playing careers in college. On Thursday, Sydney Rector and Destiny Sweeney signed letters of intent in front of family, friends, coaches and teachers in the school’s library.
Rector, who has been a standout on the Eastern Montgomery softball team for the past three years, will play softball at Ferrum.
Sweeney, who holds several school and district records in track and field, is headed to Lees McCrae. At the All-American Relays in Radford this past month, Sweeney placed third in the long jump with a distance of 17-01, and won the high jump with a height of 5-04.
Sweeney said she choose Lees McCrae because it has a wonderful track program and a beautiful campus. She visited the North Carolina campus in January and plans to major in athletic training.
Her long term goals is to graduate and become a pro track athlete. Sweeney cites the support from her family and coaches for her getting to where she is today.
Rector, who plays catcher for the Mustangs, also liked the small-town feel at Ferrum which is in Rocky Mount. She once participated in a summer camp program at Ferrum with it making a lasting effect on her in choosing the school.
“During a visit I felt like I was part of the team, so I wanted to go there,” she said.
Rector hopes to become an art therapist upon graduation.
Ferrum College dropped a heartbreaking 8-7 game to Averett University in the title game of the 2017 USA South Athletic Conference tournament and finished the season with a 23-17 record, and only loses one senior this year.
Gerald Culler has been the head softball coach since July 2015.
Lees McCrae is a member of the NCAA Division II Carolinas Conference and is located in Banner Elk, North Carolina.