Plano East seniors, from left, Liam DeWeese (University of California-Berkeley, men’s gymnastics), Sema Udo (UT-San Antonio, women’s basketball), Ryan Weston (Eastern Oklahoma State, baseball), DJ Hall (Texas State, men’s basketball), Cole McClendon (Henderson State, baseball) and Athena Hayes (Purdue) each signed a National Letter of Intent on National Signing Day in Plano East’s gymnasium on Wednesday morning. Photo by Maddie Smith / C&S Media

By David Wolman

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Wednesday marked the first day during the current school year that student-athletes, other than football, can sign a National Letter of Intent.

Six student-athletes from Plano East signed their name on the dotted line in a ceremony that was held in the school’s gymnasium.

DJ Hall is headed to Texas State to play men’s basketball. Named the District 6-6A MVP and earned MVP honors at the Class 6A state tournament as a junior, he helped to lead the Panthers to a 40-0 record and their first state championship. Last Saturday, he scored the 1000th point of his high school career.

Sema Udo is also staying in Texas to play basketball. She will join her older sister, Idara, at the University of Texas-San Antonio.

Athena Hayes will run track and field for Purdue.

Two members of the Plano East baseball team signed a NLOI on Wednesday morning. Cole McClendon inked with Henderson State, while Ryan Weston made it official with Eastern Oklahoma State.

Liam DeWeese will compete in men’s gymnastics for the University of California at Berkeley.

For more on this story see the November 21, 2024 print, or digital edition of the Murphy Monitor. Subscribe today and support local journalism in your community.