Four Hopkinsville standouts ink collegiate futures | Sports
The sight of oversized uniforms and seventh grade memories filled Tiger Gym on Wednesday as four Hopkinsville High School staples officially traded the orange and black for college colors. In a ceremony marked by both humor and heavy hearts, Lauren Mayes, Alexis Herrera Lovato, and Savior Davis signed with Georgetown College, while Jaleigha McFarland committed to a dual sport future at Brescia University.
For Savior Davis, the path to the signing table was not a straight line. His coaches recalled a kid who started in fifth grade with a jersey that practically hit his ankles, only to take a multi year break before being coaxed back by his teammates.
“It feels really good just to finally decide,” Davis said, reflecting on the relief of finishing the recruitment process. He noted the difficulty of leaving his long time training partner, Tyson Cather, to head to Georgetown. “It’s going to really suck. He’s my best friend, my best training partner. He’s pushed me to everything I have.”
Alexis Herrera Lovato and Lauren Mayes will join Davis at Georgetown, continuing a distance running trio that has defined the program. Herrera Lovato was remembered by coaches as the “missing puzzle piece” with green hair who spent her career chasing down coaching records. Despite battling through various injuries, she emerged as one of the fastest 800 meter runners in school history.
“It’s definitely a great weight off my shoulders,” Herrera Lovato said of the signing. “Still trying my best, but just without the pressure of what I’m going to do in the future.”
Mayes, known for her dominance in the two mile, shared a story of resilience that defined her career: tripping during her first track race and getting back up to finish. That grit eventually led to multiple individual cross country titles. For both girls, the day was also about honoring the man who started them on this path.
“I would like to thank… my coach that passed away, Coach Sanchez, because he was always there for me and believed in me,” Mayes said, a sentiment echoed by Herrera Lovato during her emotional remarks.
Rounding out the group was Jaleigha McFarland, who will balance soccer and softball at Brescia University. McFarland admitted the dual sport opportunity was the deciding factor.
“I never thought I was going to play softball and soccer, so I get to do both,” McFarland said. “I like how small it is and then the coaches are really nice as well. I knew that I could play both sports and it wouldn’t intertwine.”
As the pens hit the paper, the message from the coaches was clear: these four were not just athletes, but leaders who grew from children in baggy uniforms into collegiate prospects who left a permanent mark on Hopkinsville athletics.
