Wednesday November 11, 2015, marked the National Signing Day for high school athletes across the nation.  On this highly anticipated day, student- athletes commit to the colleges in which they have been recruited from in their respective sport.  Not every high school gets to experience this momentous day, but for Mount Carmel High School, it’s becoming a routine event.  In the past 12 months, 24 Caravan athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play college sports.

This year, three student-athletes: seniors Jeremy Houston, Jake Tucker, and AJ Lewis, committed to three different Division I schools: Indiana University, Michigan State University, and University of Missouri respectively, in two different highly acclaimed MC sports: baseball and wrestling.

At the press conference, the athletes were joined by their families as well as high school coaches.  Caravan reporters Corbin Chube and Jack Lockard participated in the event as part of the press/media team.  The press conference also was streamed live on CBN (Caravan Broadcast Network).

The press conference started off with a short prayer, followed by a round of congratulations for the athletes from Athletic Director Dan Lacount and Principal John Stimler.  The athletes also heard remarks and congratulations from their coaches.

As the interview portion of the press conference began, the first speaker was future MSU wrestler Jake Tucker.  Tucker’s advice to younger athletes trying to achieve the same level of success is to “remember that you’re going to get knocked down. The important thing is to get back up.”

Next to speak was University of Missouri baseball commit, AJ Lewis.  Lewis expressed his goals for the upcoming season. “I would like to finish on top, and grow closer to my teammates.”  However, he admitted” it would be great to WIN as a group.”

Finally, Indiana University baseball commit Jeremy Houston, who has been playing on the varsity baseball team since freshman year, was asked who among his MC teammates, he admires the most.  Houston responded, “probably AJ (Lewis)… He has been through a lot, and seeing him overcome so much has taught me a lot.”

Following the press conference, the families took pictures with each of their sons while the student-athletes donned their sport caps representing their future schools.