High praise and support were offered for four Pierce County athletes at a scholarship signing ceremony Wednesday, Feb. 1 at Pierce County High School (PCHS).
DJ Bell (running back) and JaQuez White (wide receiver/defensive back) signed with Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.
Jimarion Guyton (running back) signed with Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas.
Jonah Allen (kicker) signed with Valdosta State University in Valdosta.
All four athletes were required to meet NCAA standards of eligibility — a minimum 2.3 GPA and standardized test scores, which were waived this year due to COVID-19 — to be awarded scholarships from each institution.
Scholarships were based on overall performance taking both athletic and academic achievements into consideration.
PCHS Athletic Director Brandon “Roc” Jernigan reported that many comments praised those achievements and recognized Allen, Bell, Guyton and White as leaders who will be missed.
“This is a group of tremendously hardworking athletes. They’re great ball players and they’re great kids,” said Jernigan. “They showed up everyday, they worked hard and that’s a testament to their families and the previous coaches and teachers who guided them to this point.”
