Johnson among 7 FHS athletes to sign
Anna Johnson broke down one barrier at Farragut High School, which allowed her to earn a scholarship to a New York college.
A three-year diver on the FHS Admirals swimming and diving team who took up the sport in the eighth grade, “She is the first deaf diver at Farragut. … She was 10th in the state this year,” announced Brenda McGrath, an FHS math teacher who has been a long-time team sponsor.
Johnson, who signed scholarship papers with Rochester Institute of Technology, along with six other signees were recognized during a National Signing Day ceremony Wednesday morning, April 12, in FHS’s Vickie B. Wells Auditorium.
Other signees were baseball infielder Justen Freeman [Lee University] and infielder Kevin McCarthy [Roane State Community College]; diver Lily Schneider [The University of Tennessee]; basketball guard-wing Nick Rogers [Carson-Newman]; football quarterback Adam Fulton [Concord University, W.Va.] and tennis star Hannah Price [Carson-Newman].
Mauricio Robles, volunteer coach with UT Men’s and Women’s Diving teams and a two-time SEC Diver of the Year and All-American with the Vols, praised Schneider and her three years of top-four state finishes in the 1-meter event.
“She’s an amazing diver but even a better person,” Robles said. “… She’s finished second, third and fourth in the state. … You should be very proud of what she’s accomplished.”
Eddie Courtney, Farragut varsity football head coach, highlighted the accomplishments of Fulton, an All-state honoree — setting a program record for touchdown passes — who last fall lead his Admirals to the program’s first TSSAA state championship.
“Adam has done a tremendous job, we’re so proud of him,” Courtney said, adding he had talked to Concord coaches about Fulton.
“They’re [NCAA] Division II, and they really think Adam can come in early and contribute to that program,” Courtney added.
Chris Cool, former FHS boys basketball varsity head coach, spoke highly of Rogers, 4-AAA Most Valuable Player as a junior during the 2015-16 season who ended with 1,175 career points.
“Words can’t describe how great a basketball player Nick Rogers has been for our basketball program,” Cool said before listing off Rogers’ individual accomplishments.
Xan Witherington, first-year Farragut tennis head coach, said Price is “a great student, great athlete, a fierce competitor.”
Matt Buckner, Admirals baseball skipper, complimented Freeman and McCarthy.
“Our senior class this year is probably some of the best kids that I’ve ever been around. … Tremendous character, tremendous work ethic, tremendous dedication to the game. That’s the same with these two guys right here,” Buckner said. “… I’m proud of both these guys here. They’re exemplary students, first of all, and both awesome baseball players.”
