Heritage Athletes Sign Scholarships

On Friday of last week Vidalia Heritage Academy had two student-athletes sign with NCAA level schools. They are the first two from the school to sign at that level. The first to sign was Lauren Cook, who signed her letter of intent to run track for Berry College in Rome, GA. Up next was JT Cofield, who signed to play baseball for Augusta University.

Cook has been a standout runner for the Eagles of VHA and brought home 10 individual State Championships over her years in the program. She has seen her fair share of adversity over the years, having to have back surgery, but has come back, worked hard, and earned her spot at the next level.

Cofield has been solid on the mound for the Eagles and helped lead them to a State Championship. He went through surgery on his arm last year and has come back stronger, hitting up to 91 mph as a pitcher for VHA this season.

Cook Cook said, “I chose Berry because I just loved it there, I loved the campus it is beautiful, and everyone that I met was great. They seem to have a real community feel and that was what I was looking for. The track coaches were great, easy to talk to and really made me feel like I could form a relationship with them, and they could help me get better. I just knew it was a place I could see myself. I would like to thank God first, after everything that I have been through I would not be here without Him and his plan. I want to thank my parents for all the work, all the sacrifice, making sure I had great coaches and I appreciate all of it. All my coaches, especially Coach Devin Frails. My friends and teammates have really pushed me over the years, and that has really helped me along the way.

Cook’s father Bryan added, “We are really excited for her, and she has worked really hard to get here. It is more about her testimony; this gives her a bigger platform. After her 2019 season she had to have back surgery, and she wasn’t sure if she would ever compete again. But now she has 10 State Titles and she has really put in the time to get to this point. To see her work ethic, how she fought back, we see great things for her, and we are just really excited about what God has in store for her next.”

Head of School and VHA Track Coach Jeff Mc-Cormick said, “It is a big day for Heritage. We have had others that have signed, but these are the first to go to this level. Lauren just does it all. Watching her work ethic, she is out there before everyone else, continues to work after the rest have left, just leads by example. Looking at her times and her jumps she just keeps getting better and impressing us. She is also one of the top students and has been a joy to have in the classroom as well. It is a big day for her and her family, and we are so excited for her and for her future.”

Cofield

Cofield stated, “This day means a lot to me. To overcome all the adversity, the help I got from my dad, from Coach Sitzman, without them and my teammates this wouldn’t have been possible. Going to Augusta is very exciting and I can’t wait for the next season with them. I like the campus at Augusta, the coaches are really accepting and just made me feel like I belong there. It just made it an easy decision for me. I have to thank my dad who has coached me my whole life, my mom, and my whole family. I want to thank Coach Stizman and all the other coaches I have had over the years, and all my friends and teammates.”

Cofield’s father Chad said, “We are so proud of him. The way he has come off two surgeries, not laying down, but straight to the weight room and worked to get back and improve. This has been a lifelong dream of his, and God had certainly blessed him in so many ways to get him to where he is now. We look forward to the opportunities that are going to be presented to him in the future. He has made his daddy really, really, proud. At Augusta the coach really showed interest in him, and I think that JT has a big opportunity there, and we are excited that he isn’t too far away and that we are going to get to see him play.”

VHA Athletic Director and Baseball Coach Seth Sitzman stated, “JT has really pushed himself after coming back from Tommy John surgery. He has been in the weight room and really worked his butt off to get back and to get better. He has gone from throwing 84 to being in the low 90’s and has great control. It is no surprise that he is going to play at the next level. He is doing things the right way and has been a great leader for us over the years. We are excited to see where he can go with this opportunity.”