Published: May 16, 2008 10:54 am         

Direct Kick: Two more Laurel athletes college bound

At 10 a.m. this morning, South Laurel’s Lauren Wombles is scheduled to sign to play basketball at the University of the Cumberlands. And all I can say is, you guys got yourself not only a heck of a player, but a heck of a person.

I have been covering Lauren’s athletic exploits for many, many years. I remember when her mom, Barb, would bring her into the office when she was just a young girl, to inform me about her latest accomplishments, whether it be in the Bluegrass State Games or whatever. Yes, from a very young age, I knew that Lauren had the talent to become a very gifted athlete.

The only question was, in what sport? Right now, she is a three-sport star at South Laurel, leading the Lady Cardinals in basketball, softball and volleyball. But you just know that she would have excelled at any sport she tried. She was a great runner, and probably could have made a career in track and field. I know that many colleges were after her services, not only in basketball, but volleyball and softball.

When it finally came down to it, she chose Cumberlands, the place I had the feeling she would end up all along. And I think it’s a great fit for Wombles. And now she will be reunited with former teammate Amber Neace, which can only make the Lady Patriots even stronger next year.

And not only is Cumberlands getting a great athlete, but also one of the finest individuals I’ve ever had the privilege of covering. Lauren is a very modest person, and always puts her team first, no matter what. You’ll never hear her talking about her own accomplishments. She always puts team first. As a coach, you couldn’t ask for anything more. She always did whatever her coached asked of her. A very religious person, she’s quick to acknowledge God’s involvement in her life. She knows that, without him, all that she has accomplished wouldn’t have been possible.

While Wombles will sign today, North Laurel’s Tyler Pennington signed to play football at Union College yesterday. Both took very different roads to get where they are today.

While Wombles was the type that everything seemed to come easy to, Pennington was just the opposite. In fact, he overcame two surgeries to repair a hole in his heart before he was even a month old. Then, during his seventh grade year, he went in for a checkup and was told he would need surgery to remove tissue that was blocking his heart.

But he overcome all that to have a very successful career on the gridiron at North Laurel. And now he will continue that career at the next level, playing for Union College.

And Pennington, like Wombles, knows that a higher power played a key role in his being able to overcome his heart problems.

“God gave me another opportunity to go out and do what I do,” Pennington said. “It means a lot to me every time I step on the field, just knowing I am able to play.”

While smaller than most football players, Pennington always made up for it with, well, his heart. And like Cumberlands getting a great person in Wombles, Union has done the same with Pennington.

I wish both of them the best of luck in the collegiate careers and offer them this advice: College sports is a lot different than high school. Be prepared for it to almost become like a job. It will be harder and tougher than anything you’ve done up to this point, but I know that both of you have the desire to succeed.

Staying on the collegiate level, former South Laurel golfer Corey Maggard was the Transylvania team that captured its second straight HCAC men’s gold championship.

Maggard shot a 308 to help place him in the top eight of the tournament.