Perry athletes utilize late signing period, sign NLI Panthers geared to excel at collegiate level

The modern-day incarnation of this highly anticipated event officially began in the winter of 1982, after mandating a universal date for college signings. Since 1982, National Signing Day has been covered on the first Tuesday or Wednesday of February. Throughout the day on Wednesday, Perry athletes sat surrounded by family, friends, coaches, teammates, donning caps and T-shirts representing their chosen institution of higher learning.

As the sports editor of the Houston Home Journal, I conducted a real-time story of the Panther athletes that participated in the Late Signing Day. Six athletes from around Perry High School signed their National Letters of Intent on Wednesday evening. Some Panther athletes are headed to the most highly recommended athletic programs in the country. This 2022 senior class consists of players like DaeQuan Wright and Khiari Miller. Wright and Miller signed their National Letters of Intent a couple of months ago on February 3, and they are both headed to Virginia Tech.

Others will be playing under equally as bright lights for programs steadily rising up the charts. Every year, signing day represents the annual celebration of young men and women signing a commitment to perform at the highest of levels.

How big of a deal are these commitments? Major television networks like ESPN, ESPNU, HBCU Game-day and others dedicate hours of coverage to teenagers signing their letters of intent. Perry had six athletes who participated in the National Late-Signing Period.

Austin Thiel signed his national letter of intent to become a member of the Newberry College Wrestling team. Kandice Lumpkin is a member of the Lady Panther soccer team, but she became the newest member of the Faulkner University women’s team after signing her letter of intent on Wednesday evening. The track/cross country programs of Brewton Parker College and Valdosta State gained two Panther track athletes, as well.

River Livingston will travel down I-75 south, as he is now a member of the Blazers men track and cross country team. Kayla Phipps is another Lady Panther, who will compete at the next level. Phipps signed her national letter of intent to become a member of Brewton Parker’s women cross country and track and field team. These six Panther athletes will excel at the collegiate level.

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