West Florence has three sign with colleges

By: From staff reports | SCNOW
Published: March 04, 2010

FLORENCE — The West Florence boys tennis and girls soccer teams have enjoyed a lot of success recently.

As a result, the number of players from those squads who earn collegiate scholarships continues to grow.

The Knights had three more athletes sign Wednesday in soccer standouts Jessie Lintz and Bre Sutton and tennis captain Matthew Canelon.

Sutton, a senior left back, will attend Spartanburg Methodist.

“It’s a pretty great feeling,” Sutton said. “I hadn’t actually planned to play college ball, so it feels pretty special to be able to go.”

Sutton has been playing soccer for more than 10 years, but hasn’t played for the Knights since her freshman year. A recent travel tournament in Spartanburg opened the door for an invitation from the Pioneers.

“I’m excited about Spartanburg and the chance to play soccer at the next level,” Sutton said. “It’s going to be hard, but I think I’m ready for it.”

Lintz, a senior center back, will be playing for Lenoir-Rhyne come next year. Lintz had once been committed to Anderson, but changed her mind after a visit to the Bears’ campus.

“It was just a higher level of education and soccer,” Lintz said. “I loved the campus and the team and they offer athletic training, which is what I want to do.

“It was just the total package there.”

Newberry, North Greenville and Columbia were also interested in Lintz, who didn’t really start thinking about playing collegiate soccer until last summer.

“I hadn’t really given it much thought, but then I started getting interest from a couple different places,” Lintz said. “That’s when I started to actively pursue it, and I couldn’t be happier with the decision.”

Canelon was a vital member of West Florence’s recent back-to-back Class 4A state championship squads, occupying the No. 3 role behind Bobby Browning and Pruitt Williams.

Canelon has emerged as a top player on his own now, garnering team captain honors for this season.

“It’s an honor for me to be able to continue playing tennis and to represent West Florence at the collegiate level,” Canelon said.

Canelon signed with USC Lancaster, picking the Lancers over Coker.

“I thought this was the right fit for me right now,” Canelon said. “I liked the school and I liked the coaches, and I’m glad to be a part of this team.

“I just want to go out and work hard now and help (West) win a lot matches.”