Trio of Warriors sign letters of intent
THOMASVILLE — It’s the beginning of a new chapter for three Brookwood Warriors, as Jarrett Parr, Keane Katherine West, and Mason Howell signed their National Letters of Intent on Wednesday to continue their academic and athletic pursuits at the next level.
Brookwood Athletic Director Jenny Lauderdale expressed her pride in the trio, who have represented the school well on both a local and national stage.
“These student athletes did not just say the words, ‘I want to compete collegiately,’ they acted on those words,” she said. “Collectively, they have traveled to over 20 states and five countries, perfecting their craft and following this dream to play at the next level.”
Brookwood Athletic Director Jenny Lauderdale expressed her pride in the trio, who have represented the school well on both a local and national stage.
“These student athletes did not just say the words, ‘I want to compete collegiately,’ they acted on those words,” she said. “Collectively, they have traveled to over 20 states and five countries, perfecting their craft and following this dream to play at the next level.”
Lauderdale pointed out that Parr, West, and Howell were aware they would not be sitting there today without the help of their coaches, who pushed and encouraged them every step of the way. She then invited any coach who had helped these athletes perfect their craft to stand, before inviting up several special coaches to share some kind words with the audience about each signee.
Baseball Coach Jason Hurst spoke on Parr’s leadership. “I’ve been here less than a year, so I don’t have a long history with Jarrett, but in the time I have had with him, he’s been one of the best leaders I’ve ever coached,” Hurst said.
Baseball Coach Jason Hurst spoke on Parr’s leadership. “I’ve been here less than a year, so I don’t have a long history with Jarrett, but in the time I have had with him, he’s been one of the best leaders I’ve ever coached,” Hurst said.
As a Brookwood alumnus, Hurst said the day was special for him as well.
He acknowledged that smaller schools often get a reputation for having fewer opportunities to play at the collegiate level, but Parr, along with West and Howell, is proving that to be untrue.
“Where you attend high school matters little to none these days in the recruiting world,” Hurst said. “These days, everyone wants to play in college, but very few people put in the hard work, and Jarrett is a really hard worker.”
He acknowledged that smaller schools often get a reputation for having fewer opportunities to play at the collegiate level, but Parr, along with West and Howell, is proving that to be untrue.
“Where you attend high school matters little to none these days in the recruiting world,” Hurst said. “These days, everyone wants to play in college, but very few people put in the hard work, and Jarrett is a really hard worker.”
Hurst went on to say that Parr was a reliable three-hole hitter for the team last year, has good speed, and is a great outfielder, along with being a left-handed pitcher.
“I still think his career could go either way as an outfielder or a left-handed pitcher,” he said. “Jarrett is one of those guys that I think whatever he does in life, he’s going to be very good at it. He has a chance to play baseball for a long time. He has every tool that even a professional team might look for, and I know he’s going to do great things for us this spring.”
Hurst then invited Parr to sign his letter of intent to Gordon State College for Baseball.
After a round of applause, equestrian coach Bart Corrington then took to the podium.
Corrington noted that West has wanted to ride equestrian at the collegiate level since she was a little girl, and now the time has finally come.
West will be taking her talents to Southern Methodist University.
“It’s been a lot of work, a lot of smiles, a lot of tears,” he said. “Congratulations on all of this, but know that there is still a lot of work to be done.
He then encouraged West to sign her letter of intent, before jokingly telling her to be at the barn that afternoon.
The final coach to speak was Bill Connally, the Golf Director at Glen Arven Country Club, a place where Howell has spent countless hours.
Connally reflected on how far the golf program at Brookwood has come in the past 25 years.
“It used to be a way for kids to get out of class for a few hours,” he said. “Players struggled to keep score, and what it has evolved into is four state championships in the past five years and Mason being a part of that.”
Connally went on to name some of Howell’s other accomplishments during his time at Brookwood, which have included an individual state championship, winning the U.S. Amateur, playing in the U.S. Open, and helping lead the team at the Walker Cup.
“Mason is a wonderful athlete but is also a wonderful person- very humble, kind, and caring,” Connally said. “He shares a lot of time with younger players around the club. In the end, what’s most important is the person you turn out to be, and Mason is a wonderful guy.”
Connnally concluded by telling Howell he was proud to know him and couldn’t wait to watch the things he would do as he continues his career at the University of Georgia.
A lifelong dream come true, Howell cannot wait to follow in the footsteps of former teammate J.D. Culbreth and make some noise up in Athens.
“It’s been over a year since I committed to Georgia, but I’ve been a Bulldog my entire life, so to get that official is special,” he said.
However, he said he couldn’t have gotten to where he was without his parents.
“I can’t thank them enough,” he said. “Without them and their hard work, none of this would have been possible.”
“I still think his career could go either way as an outfielder or a left-handed pitcher,” he said. “Jarrett is one of those guys that I think whatever he does in life, he’s going to be very good at it. He has a chance to play baseball for a long time. He has every tool that even a professional team might look for, and I know he’s going to do great things for us this spring.”
Hurst then invited Parr to sign his letter of intent to Gordon State College for Baseball.
After a round of applause, equestrian coach Bart Corrington then took to the podium.
Corrington noted that West has wanted to ride equestrian at the collegiate level since she was a little girl, and now the time has finally come.
West will be taking her talents to Southern Methodist University.
“It’s been a lot of work, a lot of smiles, a lot of tears,” he said. “Congratulations on all of this, but know that there is still a lot of work to be done.
He then encouraged West to sign her letter of intent, before jokingly telling her to be at the barn that afternoon.
The final coach to speak was Bill Connally, the Golf Director at Glen Arven Country Club, a place where Howell has spent countless hours.
Connally reflected on how far the golf program at Brookwood has come in the past 25 years.
“It used to be a way for kids to get out of class for a few hours,” he said. “Players struggled to keep score, and what it has evolved into is four state championships in the past five years and Mason being a part of that.”
Connally went on to name some of Howell’s other accomplishments during his time at Brookwood, which have included an individual state championship, winning the U.S. Amateur, playing in the U.S. Open, and helping lead the team at the Walker Cup.
“Mason is a wonderful athlete but is also a wonderful person- very humble, kind, and caring,” Connally said. “He shares a lot of time with younger players around the club. In the end, what’s most important is the person you turn out to be, and Mason is a wonderful guy.”
Connnally concluded by telling Howell he was proud to know him and couldn’t wait to watch the things he would do as he continues his career at the University of Georgia.
A lifelong dream come true, Howell cannot wait to follow in the footsteps of former teammate J.D. Culbreth and make some noise up in Athens.
“It’s been over a year since I committed to Georgia, but I’ve been a Bulldog my entire life, so to get that official is special,” he said.
However, he said he couldn’t have gotten to where he was without his parents.
“I can’t thank them enough,” he said. “Without them and their hard work, none of this would have been possible.”
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.