Six Lions make college commitments official
ACA celebrates student-athletes taking their careers to the next level
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
May 26, 2021
Six student-athletes from Asheville Christian Academy committed to collegiate programs in a signing ceremony in the school’s gymnasium. Photo by Fred McCormick
Six student-athletes made their college plans official, May 12, during a signing ceremony in the Asheville Christian Academy gymnasium.
The event, which was attended by family, coaches and teammates of the Lions athletes, was hosted by the Swannanoa school’s athletic director Joe Johnson.
“We have six outstanding young people who are on their way to playing at the next level, and that’s not something a lot of people get to do,” Johnson said before introducing each athlete. “We’re proud of all six of you.”
Four female athletes and two male athletes were recognized by their coaches before signing commitments to their respective colleges.
Collin Mills
Basketball
Anderson University
Coach Andy Ray
Collin Mills, who led the ACA Lions men’s basketball team to a NCISAA 3A state championship in 2021, will continue his career at Anderson University in S.C. Photo by Fred McCormick
Mills played three seasons on the Lions varsity basketball team and earned all-conference and all-state honors as a senior, when he led the team to the 2021 NCISAA 3A state title. Head coach Andy Ray credited the player’s leadership, work ethic and dedication to his teammates for his success at ACA. Mills will play college basketball in S.C. for the Anderson University Spartans, a member of the South Atlantic Conference.
Caroline Condra
Basketball
DePauw University
Coach John Williams
Caroline Condra, a four-year varsity basketball player at ACA, will continue her career at DePauw University. Condra led the Lions to a state title in 2020 and runner-up finish in 2021. Photo by Fred McCormick
Condra played four seasons on the Lions varsity basketball team, earning two all-conference selections. Head coach John Williams touted the senior’s growth during her time with the team, which she led to two state runner-up finishes and one state title. Condra will head to Indiana to play for DePauw University. The Tigers, who compete in the North Coast Athletic Conference, were 8-1 in an abbreviated 2020-21 season and finished the previous season 28-2.
Alexandra Frank
Swimming
Grove City College
Coach Heather Butler
Alexandra Frank, who competed as a varsity swimmer at ACA for six years, will join the swim program at Grove City College. Photo by Fred McCormick
Frank was a swimmer in the Lions varsity program for six seasons, earning two Excellence Awards and setting the school relay record. The senior and team captain finished in the top 10 in the state meet. As a sophomore, Frank made a commitment to competing in the sport at the collegiate level, according to head coach Heather Butler, who also called the swimmer a leader for the Lions program. Frank will attend Grove City College in Pennsylvania. The Wolverines finished the 2020-21 season 5-0 in the Eastern College Athletic Conference.
Isaac LaFunor
Boys volleyball, swimming
Lees-McRae College
Swim Coach Heather Butler
ACA senior Isaac LaFunor will continue his volleyball and swimming careers in Banner Elk, where he will attend Lees-McRae College. Photo by Fred McCormick
LaFunor was a swimmer for six seasons on the varsity swim team at ACA, where he holds a school record in the relay and finished in the top five in the state meet. During his career with Lions, the senior developed a reputation for perseverance and leadership, according to head coach Heather Butler. LaFunor will continue his swimming career in Banner Elk at Lees-McRae College, where he will also compete for the Bobcats volleyball team.
Avery Jackson
Track & Field
College of Charleston
Coach Jason Ingle
Avery Jackson, who holds numerous school records in track & field for ACA, signs to continue her athletic career at the College of Charleston. Photo by Fred McCormick
Over a five-year career on the Lions track & field team, Jackson set numerous school records on her way to five individual conference championships and two individual state titles before her signing. The senior led the girls program to two conference titles. She was a de facto coach for the team’s jumping program as a senior, according to track & field coach Jason Ingle, who thanked Jackson for her contributions to the team’s success. Jackson will continue her career at the College of Charleston, a member of the Colonial Athletic Association.
Chloe Gilbert
Cross Country, Track & Field
Wofford College
Coach Jason Ingle
ACA senior Chloe Gilbert signs to continue her cross country and track & field careers at Wofford College. Photo by Fred McCormick
Gilbert was a member of the ACA cross country team for five seasons and the school’s track & field program for four. The senior led the Lions cross country team to four state runner-up finishes in her career, which included three all-conference selections and an all-state designation. As a member of the track & field team, Gilbert won individual and state titles and led the team to a pair of conference championships. Lions track & field coach Jason Ingle called Gilbert a “hard-working and fierce competitor” who is “caring, loving and giving.” Gilbert will continue her cross country and track & field careers in Spartanburg, S.C., where she will join the programs at Wofford College in the Southern Conference.