CHS senior Taylor DeBerry signs a track scholarship with Tennessee Wesleyan surrounded by family and coaches. Front Row: Christy DeBerry(grandmother), Kim DeBerry(mother), Taylor, John DeBerry(father) and Johnny DeBerry(grandfather) Back Row: Clairson DeBerry(cousin), Alex Kluchki(Tennessee Wesleyan coach, Travis O’Kelley(CCMS Track/Soccer coach), Stan Jarrell(CHS Track coach) and Samantha Amis(CHS Track coach)
The Coffee County track team added another name to the elite group of hurdlers who have competed at the college level when Taylor DeBerry signed a track scholarship with Tennessee Wesleyan on Friday. DeBerry, who qualified for the state finals on May 21st in the 100M hurdles, was a long jumper, pentathlete and 300M hurdler for this year’s track team as well as a starting midfielder/defender for the Lady Raider soccer team. DeBerry, who explored scholarship offers in both soccer and track, chose track “because it is my passion to run hurdles.” Taylor said that having the opportunity to go to school so close to home was also a huge factor as she turned down a track scholarship to Upper Iowa University. DeBerry expects to run the 300M hurdles at Wesleyan. Coffee County track coach Stan Jarrell was quick to praise DeBerry for her determination and work ethic. “(Obtaining a college track scholarship) is something she has focused on and it has become a reality for her. She will be very successful in college and in life” added Jarrell. Jarrell went on to say that “Taylor is one of the most technically skilled hurdlers that has competed for the CHS track teams. After researching high school results from this season, Wesleyan track coach Alex Kluchki was drawn to Taylor’s good performances. “I really wanted to grow our hurdles program and Taylor was one of the first persons that I called” said Kluchki. “She has a lot of talent and her technical form is good. She has a lot of room to develop and grow and at Tennessee Wesleyan; she can do that” added Kluchki. Tennessee Wesleyan, located in Athens, Tennessee, is a member of the Appalachian Athletic Conference of the NAIA. Deberry joins Jacob Prater(golf) and Peyton Talley(basketball) as scholarship athletes at Wesleyan from the CHS Class of 2015.
