Bryson DeChambeau backs LIV players to do well at the PGA Championship despite Scottie Scheffler's dominance.
As early teenagers, Northside Methodist seniors Eric Baker and Davis Moore knew they wanted to participate in college sports.On Tuesday, the two held a college signing ceremony at the Northside Methodist Academy gym as Baker has signed to compete in cross country for Wallace College’s inaugural team and Moore has inked with Huntingdon College men’s golf team.
“It is special to me,” Baker said of signing. “It was always my dream to play collegiate sports. It was a big dream of mine, so this is very special.” Baker, a standout in track and field at NMA, initially believed his ticket in college would be in another sport. “My original destination was basketball actually, but track and field ended up calling me home,” Baker said. People are also reading… Moore, meanwhile, said he knew the first time he played golf as a sixth grader – and despite scoring a 127 – that it was his sport for the future. “Sixth grade. First tournament, I was like I can do this in college,” Moore said, who said he had “fun” playing that first day. The Knights’ senior has come a long way from his opening 127. This spring, he had a 75-stroke average during Northside Methodist’s season, highlighted by a couple below par rounds, including a 68 at Highland Oaks. From basketball to track/field records Growing up, Baker played mostly basketball but added track and field to his activities during his freshman season. “My best friend got me in track and field and over time my basketball coach said I would be good in it, so I tried out,” Baker said. “I have always loved running and always have loved jumping. I thought I would be pretty good at it, so that is what drew me in.” A versatile athlete, the lifelong Northside Methodist student has done a little of everything in track and field, including participating in the 10-event decathlon. This past April, he finished second in a decathlon meet in Gulf Shores.“He is one of the best athletes I’ve ever coached,” Northside Methodist head track/field coach Kevin Johnston said. “This season was not normal as I felt I spent the whole season bragging on Eric because every week he was breaking a school record. He broke nine school records this year. He has almost set every school record at Northside Methodist.” Two weeks ago, he qualified for the state track and field championships in four events. He placed fifth in the 400 meters, earning a time of 51.91 seconds, and seventh in the triple jumps with a 42 feet, 1 inch leap. He also competed in the long jump and in the 200 meters.“I get to build on it and help set a legacy there,” Baker said. Fun start evolves to college signingMoore remembers that first tournament he played in six years ago. “I remember it like it was yesterday,” Moore said. “It was at the Troy Country Club. I started at hole No. 7. It was fun. I didn’t play well, but I felt I could do this for a while.” Through the years, Moore continued to enjoy the sport, while improving his game through hard work. He was a staple of Northside Methodist coach Bradley Rushing’s two rules of “Have fun and learn something.” “I don’t know of any golfer who has embodied that more than Davis Moore has,” Rushing said. “He has enjoyed the game and has embraced the game. That has been seen in how much he has learned about the game. He has devoted himself to a work ethic that is rare.” That work ethic not only led to better scores, but also to a few titles along the way. This past April, he won the Dothan Invitational plus a nine-hole event hosted by Dale County, both at Highland Oaks. “I love that it is an individual sport,” Moore said. “It has a team aspect to it, but it is all on you. There is nobody to weigh you down. If you succeed, you succeed.”“It’s pretty awesome,” Moore said. “It is a relief. I always had in the back of my mind that I would go to college and now that it is official, it is pretty awesome.”“Huntingdon has a great reputation. It is a great school with great academics,” Moore said. “They are really good at sports. I contacted the coach and said I was interested . I went up there and visited and I loved it. I felt like it just fit me.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Choir students express concern as Northside ISD examines cost-saving measuresSAN ANTONIO — Voices of concern echoed outside the Northside Independent School District's activity center on Tuesday as students and alumni gathered to protest
Read more »
Cooper ready to lead tradition-rich Elba football programHe replaces Marc Sieving, who resigned last month to take over the head football job at Northside Methodist Academy.
Read more »
Dothan, NMA tennis teams split; Dothan girls beat Central-Phenix CityThe Dothan and Northside Methodist Academy teams split in high school tennis action Tuesday at the Westgate Tennis Center.
Read more »
Chavez holiday, teacher union stir debate in Northside ISD racesThere's been tension between some board trustees and the union over Northside's approach to opposing vouchers.
Read more »
JSO investigating fatal shooting of woman on Jacksonville’s NorthsideThe Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatal shooting of a woman on the Northside on Tuesday morning.
Read more »
Northside Methodist edges Ariton in sudden death PKs; NMA girls, Barbour County boys also winThe Tennessee Titans depart from tradition, letting Cam Ward know that he will be selected as their top pick in this year's NFL Draft, ending the usual secrecy.
Read more »