Front row, left to right: McKensi Burks, Kaitlin Cook, Sierra Easterwood, Hunter Brannon, Caleb Lipsey, Meredith McPherson, Hannah Morton, Tiffani Schwaiger
Back row, left to right: CHS Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Mark Stephens, CHS Principal Kim Hall
CULLMAN – Wednesday's National Signing Day was more focused on high school athletes signing football scholarships, but that was not the story at Cullman High School. A record-tying eight athletes were awarded scholarships, with six going to females in two different sports.
Football still got a lot of attention as expected when center Hunter Brannon signed his letter of intent to play for Southeastern Conference champion, the University of Alabama.
In alphabetical order, Brannon was the first introduced to the crowd inside Tillman Hall on the Cullman High campus Wednesday afternoon.
Family, friends and coaches were on hand, with Athletic Director Mark Stephens reporting this group of athletes comes from a very fine class that will graduate in late May.
Brannon was offered a scholarship by Nick Saban last summer and with great pride, accepted it. Brannon's signing was part of a recruiting class rated No. 1 according to a series of recruiting organizations that specialize in this field.
The Cullman softball team made a huge impact, with five seniors signed, three going to well recognized programs in the Alabama Community College Conference and one to an NAIA school in Kentucky.
Outfielder McKensi Burks will head to Lindsay Wilson College in Kentucky once she completes her time with the Lady Bearcats.
Infielder Sierra Easterwood accepted an offer from Central Alabama Community College in Alexander City. Third baseman Hannah Morton is staying close to home and will play at Wallace State Community College.
Snead State Community College collected two talented Lady Bearcats in first baseman Tiffani Schwaiger and catcher Meredith McPherson.
These five have helped Cullman to consecutive years of reaching the AHSAA Elite Eight in Class 6A, following successful runs in the North Regional in Huntsville.
"I am very excited for them," coach Stephanie Connor said. "All have worked hard. They all are very deserving of this."
Wallace State baseball inked infielder Caleb Lipsey, who hit six home runs and drove in 46 runs during the Bearcats' run to a state second place finish in 6A in 2016.
Lipsey is the seventh Bearcat to sign a baseball letter of intent before beginning his final season in a Cullman uniform.
Kaitlin Cook is one of Cullman's top soccer players. The senior signed with the University of West Georgia and takes impressive credentials to the Gulf South Conference school such as a two-time Golden Boot Award, 2nd team All-State, the leader for assists in one season and a record for most goals scored in one game. Cook was an inspirational part to the Lady 'Cats success in winning a sectional title and getting to host a state playoff match.
With the exception of Brannon, most were headed to practice for their respective teams. Softball, soccer and baseball practice began this week with the season to start for each by around Feb. 20.
For the 2016-17 national letter of intent signing period, Cullman High School has had 16 athletes sign, covering schools from the SEC, Sun Belt, Southern, Southern States and Gulf South Conferences, plus the Alabama Community College Conference.
Cullman High School has become a prominent recruiting tool for two-year and four-year programs and looks to have plenty to deliver in the future as well.
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