Mustangs make college plans

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Four Lakewood Ranch High football players and a swimmer have earned scholarships to compete at the next level.

The five athletes made their college intentions known in front of family and friends during a ceremony May, 16 in the school’s media center.

Caleb Loppe
Sport: Football

Position: Defensive line

College choice: Maryville College

Deciding factor: The academics and the size. “It’s a beautiful campus, and academics are important, at least to me,” Loppe says. “I don’t see myself going pro, so this is just something to do while furthering my academics.”

Intended major: Political science

What it means to play at the next level: “It means quite a bit,” Loppe says. “It’s fun, and it’s enjoyable. You get to hit people for the next four years. That’s pretty much the joy of it. Plus, it teaches you how to work with your best friends and grind it out.”

What he’s looking forward to the most about playing college football: Just the enjoyment of college.

Terrance Luckett
Sport: Football

Position: Cornerback

College choice: Concordia University Chicago

Other option: Marietta College

Deciding factor: The coaching staff, the atmosphere and the campus environment
Intended major: Computer science

What it means to play at the next level: “It means a lot,” Luckett says. “I’ve always wanted to play college ball, so this is a big step for me.”

What he’s looking forward to the most about playing college football: Getting better and being coached by people who have done it. “I just want to

continue to do the best I can and learn from people who can teach me what I don’t already know.”

Wyatt McLeod
Sport: Football

Position: Tight end

College choice: Ohio Dominican University

Other option: Miami University

Deciding factor: The atmosphere. “It shares a lot of the same qualities that (I was looking for), and it was really inviting,” McLeod says.

Intended major: Political science

What it means to play at the next level: “I feel blessed,” McLeod says. “I’m the only one from my family to attend college. And to be able to play football at the college level, I feel pretty blessed.”

What he’s looking forward to the most about playing college football: Experiencing a new area, meeting new people and getting out and seeing new things.

Andrew Shackelford
Sport: Football

Position: Defensive line

College choice: Peru State College

Deciding factor: “I felt really comfortable, and I thought playing there would be nice,” Shackelford says. “I liked the coaches a lot and the school size. It’ll be smaller class sizes. It’s about the same size, in terms of numbers, as Lakewood Ranch.”

Intended major: Exercise science

What it means to play at the next level: “It’s always been a dream of mine, so it means a lot,” Shackelford says.

What he’s looking forward to the most about playing college football: Just being able to play in college. “I just love football,” Shackelford says.

Sydney Panzarino
Sport: Swimming

Strokes: Backstroke and freestyle

College choice: Nova Southeastern University

Other options: University of West Florida and Florida State University

Deciding factor: “They have a really good marine biology program, and I’ve known that was the school I was going to for a long time,” Panzarino says. “I’m excited to go there.”

What it means to swim at the next level: “This is something I’ve been dreaming about since I was a little kid, so it’s really important to me,” Panzarino says.

What she’s looking forward to THE most about swimming in college: “I’m a little nervous, but I’ve met a few of the swimmers and they seem really welcoming,” Panzarino says.

Commitments
• Lakewood Ranch running back Chris Pearcey, who suffered a torn ACL and missed all of last season, recently accepted an offer with Wake Forest to be a preferred walk-on.

• Braden River High basketball player Michael Braxton also will play at the next level next year. On May 15, Braxton accepted an offer to play for Thomas University in Georgia. The 6-foot, 8-inch center led the Pirates with 132 blocked shots last season, while averaging eight points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected]