By Scott Richards
Gabby Rivera, Caroline High School’s premier golf team member and the recipient of the Caroline Progress Female Student Athlete of the Fall Semester Award, signed a National Letter of Intent with Chowan University on Monday, April 20 at Caroline High School.
Rivera stated she chose Chowan because it offered more potential for her to develop her goals. Wanting to complete a degree in Secondary Education and play golf, Rivera wants to take advantage of a new golf program at the University and to be able to not only act as an anchor for the program, but also to help others on the team.
Front row left: Dad Robin Morales, Gabriella Rivera and mother Griselle Garcia. Back row, Coach Frank Dow and CHS Athletic Director Paul Heizer. Photo by Dawn Haun
“She was their number one recruit,” commented her father, Robin Morales, “They made an offer and came back with an even better one.”
Proud parents Morales and Griselle Garcia attended the signing, stating they are both happy and proud of their daughter’s accomplishments.
Her father stated on a typical Sunday, after breakfast, she is on the course for a couple of hours of practice and then plays a round of golf. After golf, the Commonwealth Governor’s School student will often spend as much as seven hours of study to maintain her 4.13 GPA. Morales remarked that being with his daughter during her training and playing a round with her has improved his game.
All three, Morales, Garcia and their daughter spoke highly of Caroline Golf Coach, Frank Dow, and his influence on their daughter. Aware that she had a private coach, Dow, according to Garcia, allowed Gabriella to maximize her experience at Caroline High School.
For Athletic Director, Paul Heizer, this signing was like icing on the cake. All smiles the entire time, he commented on how a signing like this shows not only the community, but the student body as well that Caroline athletes can make it to college and play sports.
This year there are a number of students who will be attending college, many getting in on academics, but with strong possibilities of extending their athletic careers in the NCAA.
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