Two more Bob Jones athletes sign scholarships
Nick Beavers signed a track scholarship with West Point Military Academy. Pictured above: Bob Jones track Coach Robin Gaines and Beavers' mother, Detricia. (Lindsay Vaught)
As a running back for the Bob Jones football team the last 3 years Nick Beavers usually ran around and away from defenders. But it was a track athlete where Beavers really starred. He is a two time defending state champion in the 300 meter hurdles and hopes to go add another state championship this track season. He also runs the 110 hurdles and runs on Bob Jones relay teams.
That success on the track led to his receiving an appointment to West Point which he officially accepted in a signing ceremony Friday morning. He will attend the US military Academy Preparatory School this summer.
Bob Jones track coach Robin Gaines said most track athletes end up getting partial scholarships unless they are nationally ranked or considered likely to compete in the Olympics.
Beavers had other offers but “this was a great situation for him because, he wants to be a cadet,” Gaines said. “He has a lot of potential, perhaps to be the leader of his class. It’s possible he could play football for Army because track is a spring sport.”
In his remarks, Beavers thanked Gaines and said “you have made me the young man that I am.”
“I didn’t see the big picture at first. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life,” Beavers said.
Beavers went on to give his mother credit for supporting him.
“When I run track she is behind me,” he said. Later he explained that he almost accepted an offer from Auburn but he decided it was time to get out of Alabama and see the country and ultimately the world.
“It would have been great to run in the SEC but this is a life long decision that is about my future and what is best for me after college,” Beavers said. “I felt West Point was the best place for me.”
Beavers said that he will have the option to walk on the football team for Army.
Bob Jones Senior Samantha Manzo signed a soccer scholarship with Birmingham Southern Friday, March 30. Pictures above are Manzo with her father, Fred, brother, Joey and mother, Jennifer.
Manzo to play soccer in college
When Samantha Manzo signed a scholarship to play soccer at Birmingham Southern on Friday morning she became the 27th student athlete at Bob Jones to sign to play sports at the next level.
Flanked by both her parents she had barely started her remarks when emotions overcame her. Once composed she said that her parents have supported her for years to make this possible. She also thanked her coach at Bob Jones.
Patrick Jacklin, the Bob Jones head soccer coach said that in four years of varsity soccer Manzo has the best touch of any player he has coached.
“She is very coachable and versatile. She is just a great young lady to be around. Birmingham Southern is very lucky to be getting her,” Jacklin said of Manzo who is the team captain this season.
Manzo is among the team leader in goals this season from her midfielder position. Katt Baugh leads the team with 14 goals.
Birmingham Southern will have a definite Bob Jones lean over the next few years. In addition to Manzo, Sarah Lombardi and Avery Newcomb have signed to play soccer there.
Good academics were a major reason Manzo decided to go to Birmingham Southern. She plans to major in nursing.
“I visited Auburn and Alabama but I decided to go to Birmingham Southern about a month ago. I think I will get a very good education there and it helps that Sarah and Avery are going to be playing there,” said Manzo.
One of the highlights of Manzo’s soccer career was being named to the North All-Star team in the Alabama All-Star Sports week last summer in Montgomery. She and Bob Jones teammate Jaime Leeds played for the North team that won 2-1 in the girl’s soccer game played at the Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex.
The Bob Jones girl’s soccer team stands at 8-6 this season after a 3-0 win at Decatur on Thursday night. Manzo had a goal in that game but her overall goal is to play in the state soccer tournament at John Hunt Park in May. The Bob Jones girl’s soccer team last won a state title in 2003 and has not been back to the state tournament since. Manzo thinks this team can break that 9 year drought.
“I think we have a really good chance at making the state tournament this season,” Manzo said.
