Madeline DupreeHixson High School senior Madeline Dupree signed scholarship papers Tuesday morning to continue her soccer career at Tennessee Wesleyan College.
Dupree, who has a 3.5 grade point average and wants to work in the medical field, said she liked the Athens school's relatively small size and close-yet-away location and the fact it has an established strong soccer program. A school counselor suggested TWC, and she and her parents checked it out.
Then she visited for a tryout, and coach Naomi Clarke offered her a scholarship.
"She's a good little player. She's quick and she's got good vision," Clarke said. "She just puts her head down and gets the job down."
Said Hixson coach Jeff Dean: "Madeline is just a steady, solid player. You may hear three words out of her in practice or in a game, but she knows what her job is and goes out and does it. She's very hard-nosed."
The Lady Wildcats went 8-6-4 this season.
Clarke's Lady Bulldogs are seeded second for the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament and will host Point University in the quarterfinal round Saturday.