Forest County Agricultural High School senior Blake Johnson signed for a full tuition scholarship to play for the Pearl River Wildcat Men’s Tennis Team this fall. Teammate Tyler Szura will also be a part of the Wildcat Team as a walk-on. These players will be reuniting with former FCAHS teammate Darnelle Sanford, now a sophomore member of the team.
Johnson is the son of Calvin and Kelli Johnson of Lumberton, Mississippi. He has played on the varsity team at FCAHS for the past five years and has participated in various tournaments sponsored by the United States Tennis Association. Johnson wrapped up his tennis career at FCAHS by going undefeated in singles against district competition before switching to mixed doubles and winning the district championship in order to advance to the state tournament. For his efforts, he was awarded the Best Senior Player Award for his team. Johnson has been involved in lessons and clinics for many years and continues this work to further improve his game. He is looking forward to his time at Pearl River saying that it is a privilege to have the opportunity to continue playing tennis at the college level and to be awarded the chance to further his tennis experience as well as his education. Johnson plans to enroll in the Utility Lineman Technology program offered by Pearl River Community College.
FCAHS teammate Tyler Szura will also be joining the Wildcat Tennis program this fall. Szura who has already signed to play soccer for the Wildcats will be a walk on for the tennis team. He is the son of Roland and Kimberly Szura of Wiggins, Mississippi. For his work on the FCAHS tennis team this past year, he was awarded Most Improved.
Johnson and Szura will be joining yet another FCAHS tennis teammate Darnelle Sanford on the Wildcat Tennis Team. Sanford is the son of Weatta Mitchell of Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Lee Roy Sanford of Batesville, Mississippi. Sanford signed with the Pearl River Wildcats last year and completed a successful freshman season at the number four singles position, ending the year 10-7 and making it through to the semifinal round of the MACJC Men’s Tennis State Championships.
Pearl River Community College Tennis Coach Jessica Olson believes these players will all prove to be a great asset to the team.
