Mustangs volleyball star Katelen Dixon signed a full scholarship to play for Division II power University of Tampa.
Baseball standout Josh Le'Roy also signed a full scholarship, to play in Division I-A for the University of South Florida.
Both seniors made it official during the early signing period in front of their parents, coaches and friends at the media center.
"That doesn't happen very often," said baseball coach Phil Bell. "Statistics tell you a lot of kids don't get a scholarship to play collegiate sports."
But Dixon and Le'Roy have earned their scholarships, and those two cakes dressed in their respective school colors.
Dixon has been one of the county's top outside hitters since transferring to Mitchell her sophomore year. She leaves with 1,061 career kills and led the Mustangs to the region semifinals for consecutive seasons. She signed in front of her father and coach, Joe Dixon, and mother, Melody.
"I'm not very good at speeches," she said, "so thank you."
"She made a huge commitment to come here, and she has been very well received," her father said.
Le'Roy spent three years as a catcher at Ridgewood, and it was his two-run single that led the Rams to an upset of nationally-ranked and unbeaten Dunedin in the 2001 Class 4A state semifinals.
But after finishing second in the county with 26 runs and fifth with 12 steals, he transferred to Mitchell for his senior season. He signed his papers with his father, Ray, mother, Cindy, and his baseball instructor, Jim Felce, a former USF player, looking on.
"I'm happy," said Le"Roy, who then addressed his new teammates. "If all of you guys get behind me, we're going to have a great year together."
Le'Roys' parents were in tears during the signing.
"As a parent," Joe Dixon said, "the feeling is unbelievable."
