Signing Day for Two Falcons
It's Official
Dylan Andrade and Jessica Funk took time away from their busy schedules in the spring to take the next step in their athletic careers. Dylan will join the track team at Western Carolina and Jessica Funk will become a member of the volleyball team at Lenior Rhyne.
Dylan started at Forbush High School as a soccer player, but soon recognized that his true gift was his speed and athleticism. Track was the perfect fit for Dylan, and he took to it quickly. With the support of his family and the coaching staff at Forbush High School, Dylan made great strides. He is now a force to be reckoned with for the Falcon track team.
Dylan originally signed with Wilmington, but the university closed up shop on its track program. This left Dylan in limbo which worked out great for the Catamounts as the school was able to swoop in and pickup a pure athlete to help bolster its track team in 2015-2016.
Dylan has already qualified for the 110m and 300m hurdles, setting his sights on another return trip to the States. Dylan broke the 110m hurdle record set back in 1999. Congratulations to Dylan on becoming a Catamount, and good luck in the remaining stretch of the track season.
Jessica Funk signed to become a 2015 member of the Lenoir Rhyne Bears volleyball team. Recruited to be primarily a setter, Funk hopes to earn additional playing time as a right-side hitter. At Forbush, Jessica has earned all-conference honors in both volleyball and women's soccer. She has won multiple MVP awards in volleyball and received top goal keeping awards in soccer. Academically, Jessica puts forth the effort in the classroom and has maintained honors status throughout her career at Forbush High School.
Jessica is bitter-sweet about her next step. "I love Forbush. I'm not ready to leave just yet, but I am excited about playing volleyball for Lenior Rhyne. When I took my official visit to LR back in the fall, I knew that was where I wanted to go. I fit in with the girls and I really liked the campus and the city of Hickory."
Coach Funk expressed her feelings on the long journey to this day. "Jessica has worked hard to get to where she is at today. Being a multi-sport athlete, some days she would leave one practice to head to 2 more hours of workouts at another practice. That dedication has definitely paid off in the form of a scholarship offer. Also, I know that it could not have been easy to have a mother for a coach, but we both managed to make the best of it. Even with all the ups and downs, I can truly say that I enjoyed being part of her journey to becoming a collegiate athlete. Jessica strives to be the best that she can be in any sport she plays or any situation she faces."
Congratulations Jessica Funk on the next step with the Bears of Lenoir Rhyne, and good luck with the rest of your soccer season.
Setting an Example
Dylan signs with the Catamounts as his little brother looks on in the background. A fitting picture that tells the story of this family that has sacrificed so much in order for Dylan's dream to come true. His brother is learning a valuable lesson.
Hickory Bound
Jessica Funk is not quite finished at Forbush, but officially ready to join the Bears of Lenoir Rhyne. The support she has had in her time at Forbush will probably make the short drive up to Hickory.
