Eight Permian athletes were recognized for their hard work for continuing to play at the collegiate level with a Spring Athletic Signing Ceremony Monday at the Permian Indoor Training Facility.
The athletes who signed on the dotted line during the ceremony included Cooper Popejoy, Jordan Bruner, Braden Young, Ernesto Melendez, Matthias McClure, Mylah Arzaga, Miley Minyard and Kai Keets.
Popejoy, who will be playing baseball at New Mexico Junior College, talked about what Monday’s ceremony meant for him.
“I’m just very blessed to have this opportunity and have a coach (Tate Criswell) that’s been invested in me and the team and I just want to thank all my parents and everyone that supports me for this opportunity,” Popejoy said.
Popejoy will be joining a New Mexico Junior College baseball program that’s consistently near the top of the Western Junior College Athletic Conference and usually ranked in the national polls.
“That had a big part of my choice,” Popejoy said. “They they’re very successful. They’re really good.”
Popejoy just recently finished his high school playing days at Permian as the Panther baseball team lost to Keller 8-4 in Game 3 of the area playoff round this past weekend.
He’ll never forget his time playing at Permian.
“Well, I’m just grateful for a coach like coach Criswell,” Popejoy said. “He he’s helped me the whole time, and he’s just been really invested in me as a player, and he’s always wanted success for me. He’s been a big part in my success, and I’m grateful for that.
Criswell talked about the honor of seeing one of his players sign for the collegiate level.
“It’s really cool for me, because he’s worked hard,” Criswell said. “I’ve been able to see the day-to-day work he puts in and the sacrifices he makes and the investment and commitment he’s made for himself and for his team. For him to get the opportunity to go play after high school at a really good program, that’s really rewarding for me to be able to witness.”
McClure will be playing soccer at Schreiner University.
He said his team has helped prepare him for this next step in his career.
“This place has helped me a lot and I give a lot of thanks to everybody here,” McClure said.
For McClure, being one of many athletes from Permian that have signed on to play at the collegiate level this year has been rewarding.
“It’s really exciting just to see that people here in Odessa are good enough to go onto the next level and show what their skills are about,” McClure said.
Boys basketball player Jordan Bruner will be playing at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa.
“It means a lot, man,” Bruner said. “It’s just a big blessing.”
For Bruner, he felt like he was at a good fit when deciding to go to Ellsworth Community College.
“I feel like it was the best fit for me just to change my life, change my circumstances and just better my game,” Bruner said.