Thirteen seniors at Plano East High School signed a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, May 14 to play college athletics. Photo by David Wolman / C&S Media
By David Wolman
During this school year, Plano East has had 33 student-athletes that have signed a National Letter of Intent. Nearly half of that total came May 14 as 13 Panthers’ seniors put pen to paper during a signing ceremony that was held inside Archie McAfee Gymnasium.
The Lady Panthers’ volleyball team had the largest representation with five players making it official.
Right-side hitter Bryn Dunlap signed with Henderson State University. Middle blocker Elena Davenport inked with Wentworth Institute of Technology. Middle blocker Grace McDonald will compete for St. Edwards University. Multi-position standout Lucy Dieterlen will compete for the University of Hartford. Outside hitter Kate Carlson is bound for John Brown University.
Senior forward Didi Chineke, who led the Plano East girls’ basketball team on their historic run to their first-ever state semifinals, will play women’s basketball for the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.
Taylor Clemens will cheer for Prairie View A&M University. Evelyn Powell will play women’s tennis locally for the University of Dallas. Carlos Luna Jr. will play men’s volleyball for Lees-McRae College.
Hannah Reed will run track and field for Central Methodist, while on the men’s side, D’Shawn Finley will compete for Central Methodist. Forward Jayla Silverio will play for the St. Mary’s University women’s soccer team. Forward Rene Padilla will play men’s soccer for East Texas Baptist University.
As for Dunlap, she was named to the all-District 6-6A honorable mention team despite missing the last half of her senior season because of an injury.
Plano East head coach Sarah Perez said that Davenport is “more of a quiet leader,” but added that she worked “really hard” and “spent this year improving her game.” Davenport was also named to the Texas High School Coaches Association academic all-state first team.
Dieterlen, who played multiple positions for the Lady Panthers, also landed on the THSCA all-state academic team (second team), in addition to earning a spot on the 6-6A honorable mention team.
McDonald played softball, basketball and volleyball, but on the volleyball court, she was a force in the middle of the front row. Named to the all-6-6A first team her senior season, she helped to lead Lady Panthers to the third round of the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Carlson played for Plano East for all four years in high school and she was elevated to the Lady Panthers’ varsity team for her senior season. She made the most of her time on the varsity team and was later honored on the all-6-6A honorable mention team.
Chineke spent three seasons on Plano East’s varsity girls’ basketball team, two years as a starter. She was named the recipient of the Golden Claw award after her senior season, an award that is awarded to the player that demonstrates the best character, commitment, leadership, audacity and will power.
Head cheer coach Brianna Davis said that Clemens was one of the first cheerleaders that she got to coach when she arrived at Plano East two years ago. Clemens was a team captain while in the eighth, 11th and 12th grades. As a senior, she was named a UCA All-American.
Powell, meanwhile, played a key role in helping to lead the Plano East tennis team to a playoff appearance last fall.
Luna Jr. will play men’s volleyball for Lees-McRae after taking up the sport when he was 15 years old.
Reed has the second-fastest time in school history in the 300 hurdles, third in the 100 hurdles and is part of the girls’ 4×400 that ranks fifth in school history. And she’ll be just 16 when she arrives on campus at Central Methodist.
Finley, who has competed in the 100, 200, 300 hurdles and 400 dash, had to overcome a setback his senior season.
“He faced disappointment by DEC to ineligible to compete in varsity at district meet,” said Jonathan Bannister, Plano East boys’ coach. “He embraced the challenge. The training and results spoke for themselves. He had a PR at every meet.”
Silverio was one of the top goal scorers for the Plano East girls ‘soccer team, which made the playoffs this year for the first time in 15 years.
Plano East boys’ head boys’ soccer coach Dennis Willich said that Padilla, who played left center back, right center back, winger and center midfield, was someone that stood out immediately when he was hired as head coach last year.
“He was one of those kids that came into my office and said, ‘Hey, let’s watch film. How do I get better? Where do you need me on the team so that we can be better and succeed?’ Willich said.
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