Thirteen recent graduates of Pope John Paul II Preparatory School recently committed to continue their athletic careers in college. A signing ceremony was held at the school on May 4.
Clara Earley has committed to run cross country and play women’s lacrosse at Sewanee: The University of the South, in Sewanee, Tennessee.
As a cross country runner for Pope Prep, Earley was named to the All-Sumner County first team in 2019 and second team in 2020. She qualified for the State Cross Country meet all four years.
As a member of the lacrosse team at Pope Prep, Earley received the Lady Knight award, voted on by her teammates, in recognition of the “ideal teammate.”
Sewanee competes at the NCAA Division III level as a member of the Southern Athletic Association.
Earley is the daughter of Tony and Sarah Earley and was homeschooled before attending Pope Prep.
Triston Conger has signed to play basketball for Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee.
In his two years at Pope Prep, Conger owns or was in the top ten of 10 different individual season or career basketball records. He was named to the Division II-AA All Middle Region teams and the All-Sumner County teams the last two seasons. This year, he was also named to the All-Midstate team and passed the benchmark of 1,000 career points.
Cumberland University competes as part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as a member of the Mid-South Conference.
Conger is the son of Bill Conger and Shanda Sparrow and attended Summit High School before Pope Prep.
Connor Tuerff has signed to play basketball for Centre College in Danville, Kentucky.
During his senior year, which he played with dislocations in both kneecaps, Tuerff set the Pope Prep record for most 3-pointers made in a season with 78. For his career, Tuerff made 143 3-pointers.
He was named to the Division II-AA Middle All-Region Team and All-Sumner County Team.
Centre competes at the NCAA Division III level as a member of the Southern Athletic Association.
Tuerff is the son of Greg and Jayne Tuerff and is a graduate of St. Matthew School in Franklin.
Tyler Robertson has signed to play baseball at Roane State Community College in Harriman, Tennessee.
Robertson was a two-year starter at catcher for Pope Prep, and also was a two-year starter for the football team at safety.
Roane State competes as a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Robertson is the son of Jenny and John Robertson and a graduate of St. Joseph School in Madison.
Benson Montini has signed to bowl for Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Montini bowled for one year at Pope Prep and was part of the team that finished as the state runner-up in 2022.
Cumberland University competes as part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as a member of the Mid-South Conference.
Montini is the son of Melissa and Christopher Montini and is a graduate of Holy Rosary Academy in Donelson.
Emily Leonard will become a member of the Sunsations dance team at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.
Leonard was selected for the team after several rounds of auditions. She was a member of the Pope Prep Knight Stars competitive dance team for four years and competed at the regional, state and national levels. She also is a member of the Pope Prep lacrosse team.
The University of Miami Sunsations compete at the Universal Dance Association College Championship in both the jazz and hip-hop categories.
Leonard is the daughter of Kathleen and Edward Leonard and previously attended Ellis Middle School in Hendersonville. She is a parishioner at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Hendersonville.
Max Huffine has signed to play football for Centre College in Danville, Kentucky.
A multiple-year starter as an offensive lineman for Pope Prep, Huffine received the Shield Award for the 2021 season. The award is the team’s most prestigious honor, voted on by the team, recognizing the player the best demonstrated living the team’s mission during their careers.
Centre competes at the NCAA Division III level as a member of the Southern Athletic Association.
Huffine is the son of Kristi and Johnny Huffine and previously attended Ellis Middle School in Hendersonville.
Jackson Noble has signed to play football at Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee.
Noble was a multiple-year starter at defensive back and wide receiver for Pope Prep. His senior season was interrupted when he broke his collar bone twice, but still returned in time for the Knights’ final game.
Maryville competes at the NCAA Division III level as a member of the USA South Conference.
Noble is the son of Amy and John Noble and previously attended Beech High School in Hendersonville.
Steph Carter has signed to play football for Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee.
Carter overcame two ACL reconstructive surgeries to be a multi-year starter at wide receiver for Pope Prep. For the 2021 season, he recorded more than 1,000 receiving yards and was named to the Division II-AAA All-Region Team and the Division II-AAA Coaches All-State Team.
He was also given the Pope Prep 2021 Captain Award for his senior season.
Maryville competes at the NCAA Division III level as a member of the USA South Conference.
Carter is the son of Holly Ayers and previously attended Station Camp Middle School in Gallatin.
Max Galvin has signed to swim for Centre College in Danville, Kentucky.
Galvin was a four-time state qualifier and has been part of multiple top 16 placing relays in the state. He is an Academic All American and has been the recipient of the Coaches award at Pope Prep.
Centre competes at the NCAA Division III level as a member of the Southern Athletic Association.
Galvin is the son of Arrione and Matt Galvin and is a graduate of Holy Rosary Academy in Donelson.
Korbin Smith has signed to swim for Sewanee: The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee.
Smith is a four-year member of the Pope Prep swim team and a four-time region qualifier. He received the team’s 2022 Spirit Award.
Sewanee competes at the NCAA Division III level as a member of the Southern Athletic Association.
Smith is the son of Shannon and Jeremy Smith and is a graduate of St. John Vianney School in Gallatin.
Tino Ferranti has signed to swim for Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri.
During his four years swimming for Pope Prep, Ferranti had multiple top 16 finishes in the state meet. As a member of the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams for Pope Prep, he helped set a school record. Both relay teams finished third at the 2022 state meet, and Ferranti helped the boys team finish sixth in the state meet team standings.
Ferranti was a team captain as a senior, received the Coaches Award, and is an Academic All American. He is the first Pope Prep boy swimmer to commit to swim at the NCAA Division I level.
Saint Louis University competes at the NCAA Division I level as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Ferranti is the son of Lori and Thomas Ferranti.
Maygan Miller has signed to play volleyball for Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina.
Miller, who started playing volleyball only four years ago, was a three-year starter for the Pope Prep varsity. Her senior year, she was named the team’s MVP, led the team in kills, and led the team in blocks for the third straight year.
Miller was twice named to the All-Sumner County team and the Division II-AA All Region Team, and was also named to the All-Region Tournament Team.
Western Carolina competes at the NCAA Division I level as a member of the Southern Conference.
Miller is the daughter of Montseratt Garcia and Kenneth Miller and previously attended Station Camp Middle School.
