Dayton High School held a signing ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 7, for eight senior athletes who have earned scholarships to play sports at the collegiate level. The ceremony was held in the Dayton High School Performing Arts Center and was attended by their family members, friends, coaches and fellow athletes.
Mika Anthony-Conner, the only female of the eight, will play at McNeese State University on a softball scholarship. Coach Andrew Moss said, “She has been a leader in our softball program, both on the field and in the classroom. That undoubtedly has led to this date, where she is joining the thousands of students across the U.S. sharing their commitment to continue on their athletic journey.”
Mika was a starter for the Lady Broncos varsity softball team for all four years of high school and was an integral part of the Regional Semi-Final run last season, Moss said.
“She has been an outstanding student, accumulating a 4.1 GPA to put her well inside the top 1/3 of her class. These things – amongst the countless hours of practice, travel tournaments, motel stays on weekends while your friends are out doing kid things, angry coaches, happy coaches – have led to today. Mike, and also to all of you young aspiring athletes, it is worth it,” Moss said. “People a lot smarter than me have said the separation from being good to being great is a person’s willingness to sacrifice. Mika has put in the time, effort and preparation to be great. With that amount of sacrifice, I know she will succeed on this next journey.”
Zach Breaux will be attending East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas, to play wide receiver for the Fighting Tigers. He plans on majoring in business. While in Dayton, Zach participated in football, basketball and track. In football, he was a standout wide receiver for the Broncos, earning 1st Team All District honors in a senior season that was shortened by an injury.
Jakari Cooper ends his Bronco career as a three-year letterman in football while also lettering in track. He was an All District Honorable Mention Defensive Back during the 2022 season, along with making the Academic All District team. During his three varsity seasons, he compiled 70 total tackles, five interceptions and 14 passes defended. He has chosen to continue his education and athletic career at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Ark.
Quentin Dugat will be attending Texas College in Tyler, Texas, to play football. He plans to major in physical education. While at Dayton HS, Quentin participated in football and track. In football, he was a 2023 honorable mention defensive lineman.
Caleb Ramirez will be attending East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas, to play defense for the Fighting Tigers. He plans to major in criminal justice. While at Dayton HS, he participated in football and track. In football, he was named Honorable Mention All District on defense during his senior year.
Isaac Ramirez (who was absent from the signing event) was recognized as the first Dayton male Cross Country athlete to sign to run collegiately since 2016. Issac plans to attend Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. Isaac has been a cross country team member for three years at DHS. From the time he started running as a sophomore, he had an immediate impact, making varsity in his first year and improving drastically each year after. He was a integral part of two regional qualifying teams. This past season he had his highest individual district meet finish of 12th, while passing multiple opposing runners in the homestretch to secure the Broncos’ first District championship in nearly 20 years.
Jeremiah Stevens will be attending Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, to play football for the Tigers. Jeremiah will major in engineering. While in Dayton, he participated in football, basketball and track. In football, he was a 2022 honorable mention tight end. In Track, he is a regional qualifying triple jumper.
Tyler Threadgill will be attending Evangel University in Springfield, Mo. Tyler came into high school playing both football and baseball and decided to put all his efforts into the game he loves – baseball. Today that effort paid off with him signing to play baseball at the next level. Tyler is a two-year letterman, playing infield and pitching for the Broncos. He has been a hard worker and always made his team believe they had a chance to win in every game in which he was in the lineup.
