NEW HOPE — A historic week for New Hope athletics on Wednesday morning as the final two of six athletes for the Trojans signed their National Letters of Intent to pursue athletics at the next level.
Tennis player Zachary Dumas and track and field athlete Jakobe Smith signed together, with Dumas headed to Hinds Community College and Smith staying local in Columbus, headed to Mississippi University for Women.
Dumas was the second tennis signing for New Hope this week, the first two college signings in program history.
“I’m beyond blessed to go beyond this level,” Dumas said. “I’m so blessed for that. It really has set in for me and I’m really appreciative for it.”
During his five-year career with the Trojans, Dumas reached the state championships twice, most recently in boys doubles this season with partner Jeremiah Williams.
With the strides that New Hope tennis has taken in recent years, having a player like Dumas represent the program at the next level is exciting for head coach David Grady to see the status of the program continue to elevate.
“He pretty much outworked most of the other players,” Grady said. “We had one or two that went above and beyond and he was one of those that put in the extra work. We’re going to miss him. … It means that we are doing something right at New Hope and we’re attracting college coaches.”
Smith was a three-sport athlete at New Hope, but he primarily focused on track and football, where he played wide receiver.
He excelled at the 400-meter dash, finishing second at both the division and district meets this season. He finished eighth at the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A North State meet on April 27.
“It’s an honor,” Smith said. “I’m proud to get a chance to run at the next level. Hopefully, I can make a name for myself.”
He’ll be headed to a four-year program in the Owls, which are transitioning to a Division III program next season.
“Not a lot of us get this opportunity so we always make sure we represent where we started from, where we came from, and take that pride with us,” Smith said.
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