On May 7, 2024, John W North was fortunate enough to have four athletes commit to play their respective sports at the collegiate level. Austin Dixon, Brian Butler, Emely Garcia, and Jacob Arellano signed their official letters of intent to take their athletic careers to the next level and continue to compete further past the high school level.
Austin Dixon will be continuing his football career at West Virginia Wesleyan College for the next four years. This 2023/2024 football season, Austin sustained a serious injury in which he broke his arm, cutting his final season with the Huskies short. However, Austin’s commitment to recover and determination aided him in a speedy, healthy recovery. Senior year is a crucial time in an athlete’s recruitment process, and when asked how his injury might have hindered his confidence, Austin says, “It didn’t affect my confidence at all because I had put in work for so many years, so my senior year, our last game I was able to wrap it up and be confident going out there because I knew it was my last time.” Despite his injury, Austin achieved what thousands of athletes around the country dream of, a chance to play at the collegiate level. Now, Austin will play his next four years with the Bobcats at the Division II MEC level.
Austin’s teammate Brian Butler was similarly injured his Junior year, carrying on into his Senior year. Like Austin, Brian’s dedication to his recovery process pushed him to be scouted by West Virginia Bethany College, where he will be spending the next four years of his academic and athletic career. Brian will continue to play football at the Division III level as a wide receiver with the Bisons and continuously making the John W North football program, along with the school as a whole, proud.
Emely Garcia became the first student at John W North to commit to college for flag football. This 2023/2024 season was the first year flag football was recognized as an official high school sport, and has made its headway into the country as a permanent part of women’s sports. With only one year of experience under her belt, Emely has worked hard during and outside of season to obtain an offer from Cottey College in Missouri. When asked what her recruitment process looked like in such a new sport, Emely answered, “It was a long process because at first I didn’t think I was that good at the sport, but after a while I got used to it and I ended up falling in love with it. Getting onto the All-Star team for the seniors really helped me get my offer in the first place.” She officially signed her letter of intent to play for the Comets next season at the NAIA level, making history in the young John W North flag football program.
Jacob Arellano has been wrestling throughout high school, and has become a dedicated and central part of the John W North wrestling program. Like a few of his other teammates, Jacob will be committing to continue his athletic career with the Hope International University Wrestling team. Jacob will be aiding the university’s new wrestling program’s first year, hoping to start the program off strong with a successful season. Jacob will be competing for the next four years of his life at the NAIA level alongside some of his high school teammates with the Royals.
John W North is proud to have committed so many athletes this year to play at the collegiate level, something most players around the country dream of accomplishing. The Huskies wish these athletes the best of luck these next four years and hope for successful careers for all of them.
