Six McCallie School athletes sealed their college decisions Tuesday afternoon in an overflowing conference room on campus.
Jon Pat Ransom signed a national letter of intent to swim for Drexel University in Philadelphia, while Tons Ferguson and Romeo Gibbs signed to continue their track and field careers at Milligan College just outside Johnson City, Tenn.
The other three confirmed commitments to compete for NCAA Division III schools: Adrian Thomas in basketball at nearby Sewanee, Kevin Wagoner in cross country and track at Centre College in Danville, Ky., and Trel Phillips in football and track at Emory & Henry in Emory, Va.
Ransom had recruiting talks with two other Division I programs besides Drexel - George Washington and Cincinnati - as well as D-III member Denison.
A versatile swimmer, he broke a 39-year-old McCallie record this year in the 200-yard individual medley and finished third in that event at the state meet.
"He swam completely different events this year than last year at the state meet," McCallie swim coach Stan Corcoran said. "He swam the 200 and 500 freestyles last year and did the 100 free along with the 200 IM this year. He has improved a lot very year, and he's a very good student and a great kid."
Ransom admitted he took extra time making a decision among schools but said his April 1 recruiting trip to Drexel just "felt right" and he has "wanted to go to a big city" for years.
"I decided a good time to do that would be for college, and Philadelphia is a city I think I would love even after college," he said. "I feel like this will be a great experience for me."
John Shulman has been McCallie's basketball coach for two years and proclaimed about the 6-foot-1, 245-pound Thomas, "This is my first child going on to college. That's what it feels like.
"He's a leader, and he scores the ball in multiple ways from various positions," Shulman added. "His leadership is infectious; his attitude is infectious; his enthusiasm is infectious. Sewanee's getting a lot bundled into one person."
Thomas said he also considered Covenant, Greenville College in Illinois, Rhodes and Union University but felt comfortable at Sewanee.
"It's like how it is down here. It's a brotherhood up there," he said. "I've played with the guys up there and I really like being around them."
McCallie track coach Mike Wood was thrilled to have four guys moving on to college programs.
Ferguson played baseball while also competing in track and field in previous years but decided to concentrate on the latter in his final high school spring season. He's currently the high point man for Wood's team.
"He's a multiple-event track and field athlete. He's a really good hurdler and jumper," the coach said. "And Romeo Gibbs is a team captain and a sprinter and jumper. Trel Phillips is the shot put state champion, and Wagoner is a distance runner who had a bunch of schools talking to him.
"And all four of these guys are excellent students."
Wagoner, who has specialized in the 5k and the mile, said Rhodes was his other finalist but said he picked Centre because "I like the community there - and the dedication of the faculty to make relationships with students."
Gibbs and Ferguson both had Birmingham-Southern as a finalist but leaned to NAIA member Milligan, which has thrived with Chris Layne as the head track coach since 1999.
"There's just something about Milligan. It felt like the right fit," Gibbs said. "They have a great program, and it looked like the right place to be."
Said Ferguson: "I like the coaching staff. They're building up a strong program, and I look forward to being part of it."
Contact Ron Bush at rbush@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6291.