Ten Euclid athletes sign letters of intent

Two years ago, Mamadou M’Baye had never played football before. To M’Baye, a Senegal native, he understood football to be what his Euclid classmates call soccer.

When Jeff Rotsky needed a kicker prior to the 2018 season, he sought volunteers from the boys soccer team. The first time Rotsky heard M’Baye’s foot connect with the ball after a summer practice, the Panthers’ coach knew he found a kicker.

Euclid held its signing day ceremony inside Daugherty Gymnasium Feb. 5 and, now, M’Baye officially cemented his future as a college athlete alongside nine of his classmates.

“It was great,” M’Baye said. “At first, my dream was to play soccer. When I came here and football, they showed what you needed to do to go college and play for free over there, get a free education, it was great.”

M’Baye, who carries a 3.8 GPA, said his favorite memory was making his first field goal — a 39-yard try in the 2018 season. He isn’t sure what he wants to study yet but plans to continue to

Crop comments: excel in the classroom, adding “no parties” are part of his plans.

At West Virginia Wesleyan, a D-II football program located in Buckhannon, W.Va., Euclid teammate Aric Hodnett will join M’Baye.

Kristan Ross signed her letter of intent to run track and field at D-I Murray State. As a junior, Ross ran on the Panthers’ 4x200 relay that placed eighth at the D-I state meet and finished seventh in the 400.

Ross plans to study either physical therapy or exercise science. She chose Murray State after she said it felt like home on her tour.

As Ross prepares for her final spring running at Euclid, she said her experience with the Panthers helped her gain confidence she will carry to the next level.

“I learned to speak out more and speak for what I believe in,” Ross said. “I’ve learned how to be a team leader, that’s a big thing for me because I used to be very shy so I’m glad now I have the chance to speak out and help other people be in the same positions.”

Three football players also signed to play football at Vermilion Community College, a JUCO program in Ely, Minn.: quarterback Dion Valentine, lineman

Le’Juan Bryant and defensive back Mark’quise Duckworth. Valentine threw for 1,688 yards and 19 touchdowns during his senior season.

Steve Hall, the Panthers’ starting right tackle, signed with Charleston. Jaabir Mujihad signed with Ohio Dominican after he rushed for 1,440 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Two Panthers are headed to West Liberty, captain John Brown and defensive back Jay’Quawon Phillips. Brown was one of three returning starters on Euclid’s 2019 football team who helped lead the Panthers to a playoff berth.

Brown’s most cherished memories from Euclid include the hard days of practice and conditioning. He plans to study nursing at West Liberty but holds himself to a high standard on the football field.

“I’m playing defense there so my goal is to just be good,” Ross said. “My goal is to go to the league, I want to make it. I’m not going to stop, nobody’s going to tell me I’m not going to do it, either. I’m going to keep working hard. I’m still lifting, still working out, getting stronger and I’m getting more in shape. I’m just hoping I’ll be successful in college.”