A few Fannin Lady Rebels will be continuing their athletic careers on the collegiate level. Seniors Natalie McLaughlin, Ashley Ellison, and Mallory Arp all signed athletic scholarships Natalie McLaughlin, a 4.0 student since her freshman year, is the fifth ranked student in her graduating class. She will be attending Emory University to play softball for the Lady Eagles. She plans to major in biology with the eventual hope of becoming a pediatric surgeon.

McLaughlin when describing her continued career and her recruiting experience said,

“I’m so excited. I’ve been excited ever since I got accepted.”

McLaughlin said that she was assured a chance to compete as a freshman and that she was motivated to play early.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Ashley Ellison will be attending Truett McConnell College to play basketball for the Lady Bears. Ellison who began her Lady Rebels basketball career in her sophomore year spoke of her long time commitment to the sport.

“Ever since I was five, my whole life has been basketball, basketball, basketball. Year round, travel teams and everything, it’s been my whole life.”

She also spoke of how she came to be a Lady Bear.

“They wanted me and I wanted them.”

Ellison plans on majoring in education with hopes of becoming a special education teacher.

Mallory Arp, will continue both her track and basketball careers at Oglethorpe University. She spoke of being distraught over choosing between the two sports as part of the reason that she chose the Lady Stormy Petrels.

“That’s why I’m doing both, because I couldn’t decide. That’s one reason I chose Oglethorpe too, because I would be able to do both.”

Arp’s track career began as a junior, due to an injury suffered the summer before her sophomore year.

“Following my junior year I was just recovering from ACL surgery and thought that running track would be a great way to get my speed back, and then I kind of fell in love with it.”

Arp plans to compete in the 800 Meters and play guard for the Lady Stormy Petrels. She also plans to major in pre-med with an eye on a future career in sports medicine.

Natalie McLaughlin Signing

Mallory Arp Signing

Ashley Ellison Signing