1 of 8
Sam Chandler
Spain Park Signings
Daniel Nixon signed to run track and field for Mississippi State University
2 of 8
Sam Chandler
Spain Park Signings
Bailey Condone signed to run cross-country and track and field for Tennessee Wesleyan College
3 of 8
Sam Chandler
Spain Park Signings
Bailey Defalco signed to play basketball for Huntingdon College
4 of 8
Sam Chandler
Spain Park Signings
Elizabeth Philpot signed to play basketball for Birmingham Southern College
5 of 8
Sam Chandler
Spain Park Signings
Bryan Sanderson signed to play baseball for Marion Military Institute
6 of 8
Sam Chandler
Spain Park Signings
Meghan Shea signed to play lacrosse for the University of Montevallo
7 of 8
Sam Chandler
Spain Park Signings
Parker Sturm signed to play soccer for Birmingham Southern College
8 of 8
Sam Chandler
Spain Park Signings
Reed Thomas signed to play baeball for Centre College
Before an audience of family, friends and coaches, eight Spain Park High School senior athletes signed national letters of intent on Wednesday, April 27, solidifying their college commitments during a ceremony held in the school’s competition gymnasium.
The standout contingent will continue their respective athletic careers at seven different colleges across a range of six sports.
Highlighting the celebratory festivities was the long-awaited announcement made by Jags track and field star Daniel Nixon. After a tedious recruiting process, the two-time Class 7A state 800-meter champion and reigning indoor All-American finalized his decision to run collegiately for Mississippi State University.
“The process was pretty long, but I just trusted God to make the right decision,” Nixon said. “I just feel great to be a Mississippi State Bulldog.”
Actively recruited by a number of schools, including Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Tennessee and Kentucky, Nixon said the consistent effort made throughout the recruiting process by Mississippi State head coach Steve Dudley set the university apart.
“They’re all great programs, but I just felt like Mississippi State and coach Dudley were on a different level for me,” Nixon said. “He was always so personable, and as a head coach, I feel like that’s important.”
In Starkville, Nixon will join a program with a rich history of producing national-caliber mid-distance runners. Notably, he’ll have the opportunity to train alongside Brandon McBride, the Bulldogs’ two-time NCAA 800-meter champion.
Currently, Nixon holds a personal-best time of 1 minute, 52.20 seconds in the 800. He has also run 49.35 seconds in the 400 meters and 4:22.34 in the 1,600 meters.
“He set a standard for excellence,” Spain Park head track and field coach Michael Zelwak said. “He’s been a real good asset to us, and we’ve been blessed to have him.”
The seven other signees include:
Bailey Condone: Tennessee Wesleyan College (Athens, Tennessee), women’s cross-country and track and field
Bailey Defalco: Huntingdon College (Montgomery, Alabama), men’s basketball
Elizabeth Philpot: Birmingham Southern College, women’s basketball
Bryan Sanderson: Marion Military Institute (Marion, Alabama), baseball
Meghan Shea: University of Montevallo (Montevallo, Alabama), women’s lacrosse
Parker Sturm: Birmingham Southern College, men’s soccer
Reed Thomas: Centre College (Danville, Kentucky), baseball
