By Debbie Adams
Thirteen student athletes in football, track and field, wrestling, softball, baseball and soccer from
William Byrd High School signed letters of commitment on April 16 to continue their educations
and athletic careers at the collegiate level.
They are softball player Sara Lang (Bluefield University), soccer player Ian Sigmon (Randolph
College), baseball player Brogan Dent (Concord University), wrestler Stephen Underwood
(VMI), football players Ethan Haston (VMI), Maurice Burnette (Ferrum College), B.J.
Cheatwood (UVA-Wise), Jonathan Rosser (UVA-Wise), and Jerrett Shepherd (Roanoke
College), and track and field athletes DeShawn Austin (Roanoke College), Landon Martin (Lee
University), Grace Onwi (Radford University), and Greg Stiltner (Roanoke College).
WBHS Principal Travis Anderson opened the ceremony, telling students that he is “excited for
what your future holds.”
Long-time softball coach Greg Barton introduced Sara Lang who has been playing softball
since she was 5 years old and for Byrd since sixth grade, four years on varsity. She threw two
“no hitters” this season, a tremendous accomplishment. He described her team spirit and said,
“Sara is the sweetest kid I have ever coached. She always has a smile. She works daily year-
round on her skills. She works hard and it’s paid off for her. Sara is a relief pitcher (not a
glorious job) and works in tough situations.
“What you mean to our team is indescribable,” Barton said. “You are the coach’s ultimate
dream. We have been blessed to have you. You do everything I ask you to do and do it well.
Thanks for being who you are.”
Soccer coach Kevin Niday described Ian Sigmon as “an all-around player, capable of playing
any position on the field, but he prefers defense. Ian excels in ball control, and ball distribution, as well as reading and anticipating the game, which gives him a high soccer IQ. All of these attributes combined is why Ian is a great player.
“It’s fun for me to watch him ‘work’ on the soccer field. Whether it’s taking on an opponent one-
on-one on defense and getting past them, or taking on an opponent one-on-one as a defender and
stopping an attack by the other team before it can develop, or placing a ball 60 yards down field
in the perfect spot for a teammate to receive it. His vision on the field is excellent and so are his
leadership abilities.”
Ian has played travel soccer for over 10 years, which has been a huge contribution to his soccer
development. In 2024 he was the ECNL-RL VBR Star/Virginia United State Cup winner and
made the All-State Regional Team. During high school, Ian made 2nd team All-District as a
freshman, 1st team All-District, and 1st team All-Region a sophomore. He was first team All-
District, All-Region and All-State in his junior year and made the Boys Soccer All-Timesland
Team. He played a key role in the first time Byrd went to the state tournament in 20 years. As a
senior, Ian is captain of the team with “plenty more recognitions and awards to come.”
WBHS Athletic Director and baseball coach Jason Taylor opened his remarks by congratulating
all the athletes going to the next level to play.
“It shows the dedication and desire to be successful. I challenge them to not be just happy with
their commitment today, but to push themselves at the next level.”
Taylor also thanked all the William Byrd coaches for “their hard work and countless hours to
help these athletes accomplish their goals.”
Taylor introduced Brogan Dent. He noted that when he first met Brogan, he told Coach Taylor
that he wanted “to be the best player that he could be to represent the William Byrd baseball
program and that he would like to play college baseball.” Brogan has been All-District and All-
Region.
“I know Coach Bailey at Concord University, and he demands a lot from his players on and off
the field. It is not just playing baseball for him. It is about being a good person and doing all the
little things – being a good student, teammate, and community person. As I have had the
opportunity to watch Brogan grow into a young man, he already has these qualities to make him
successful. He is a great fit for Concord. He has been a leader for our program and our school the
past four years. I appreciate what you have done for the baseball program at Byrd.”
Wrestling coach Thomas Kessler introduced Stephen Underwood, who has been in the Byrd
program for six years in middle and high school.
“Ever since he was in middle school/early high school, he has had the goal of wrestling at VMI,
and I am happy to say that I got to help him to reach his goal. He has gone to their wrestling
camps multiple times and it has always been his goal to get there. Stephen will be majoring in
economics and finance. VMI’s core values are listed as honor, excellence, self-discipline,
courage, and selfless service. I have gotten the privilege to watch Stephen grow in all of these
core values during his time with us. He has wrestled for our program for six years starting in seventh grade.
During that time, Stephen has physically and mentally transformed himself.
Wrestling can teach you a lot about self-discipline and courage. Stephen has embraced these
things and grown tremendously during his time here. He has often helped out with our younger
kids in practice and stayed after practice to help with our youth program. His selfless service has
helped our program grow and he has reached a lot of kids. His on-mat excellence will be missed
as he accumulated the following stats with us: 96 career wins, three-time Region placer (5th , 4th ,
and 2nd ), two-time State qualifier, Big Orange Champ, Blue Ridge District Champ, Regional
Runner-Up, and State placer (5th). I know he will do big things over the next few years.”
Football head coach Brad Lutz congratulated all of the student athletes and noted that only a
small percentage (6%) of high school athletes go on to play at the next level.
As for his football players, “On the field and in the classroom, this has been a special group to
the school. Prior to their arrival, William Byrd had only four play-off wins in 98 years. They are
leaving with six play-off wins and the school’s first two regional championships.”
Lutz introduced each football player signing their letter of commitment.
“VMI is first class and so are you,” he told Ethan Haston.
Haston is a four-year starter with 117 total tackles, 14 pass break-ups, and four interceptions on
defense; 21 receptions for 351 yards and four touchdowns on offense. He was 1 st Team All-Blue
Ridge District as a senior playing defensive back, 2 nd Team All-Blue Ridge District as a senior as
a receiver, and 1 st Team All-Region playing defensive back. He was just one vote away from All-
State.
Maurice Burnette will be playing at Ferrum College where the team is transitioning to Division
2. He will be a member of the first Scholarship Class with a great mentor in Ferrum Coach
Sherman.
Burnette has a total of 168 total tackles, 29 TFLs (tackle for loss), 12 sacks, 76 QB pressures,
one interception, and one touchdown in two seasons. In his senior year, he has been named 1 st
Team All-Blue Ridge District as a defensive lineman, 1 st Team All-Region 3D as a defensive
tackle, and Region 3D Co-Defensive Player of the Year. As a senior he has also been named to
TEAM VHSL /AAA All-State as defensive lineman. In his junior year, he made 2 nd Team All-
Region 3D as defensive tackle.
B.J. Cheatwood will be attending UVA-Wise. He has been a four-year starter with 5,499
rushing yards/72 TDs; 3652 passing yards/40 TD’s on offense. He blocked for three All-District
and All-Region rushers and two All-State quarterbacks. He is the most decorated offensive
lineman in school history. In his junior year, he was named 1st Team All-Blue Ridge District
offensive lineman, 1st Team All-Region 3D offensive lineman, and 1st Team VHSL AAA All-
State offensive lineman. As a senior, Burnette was named to 1st Team All-Blue Ridge District as
offensive lineman, 1st Team All-Region 3D as offensive lineman, and 1st Team VHSL AAA All-
State as offensive lineman. Coincidentally, Coach Lutz signed with UVA-Wise in 1995 to play
offensive lineman.
Jonathan Rosser will be attending UVA-Wise. He had a “massive senior year.” On defense he
has a total of 125 total tackles, 28 TFL, 10 sacks, six FF (forced fumbles), 2 FR (fumble
recoveries), eight pressures, 5 PBU (Pass break-ups), and 1 BK (blocked kick). On offense he
had 10 receptions for 81 yards. In his senior year, he has been named to 1st Team All-Blue Ridge
District as a linebacker, 1st Team All-Region 3D linebacker/Region 3D Co-Defensive Player of
the Year, and 1st Team VHSL AAA All-State defensive lineman.
Jerrett Shepherd will be attending Roanoke College where it is building a new program. Lutz
says Shepherd “can do it all. Roanoke College called and said they had to have him.” Shepherd
has 112 carries for 805 yards on offense, 10 TDs, 33 receptions for 450 yards and 5 TDs. On
defense he has 92 total tackles, 3 TFL, 2FF, 2 FR, and 10 PBU. In his senior year, Shepherd was
named 2nd Team All-Region 3D all purpose, and 1st Team All-Blue Ridge District all purpose and
punter (36 avg.). In the Bassett game, he had five receptions for 120 yards, and 2 TDs.
Jerrett Shepherd (Roanoke College), and Maurice Burnette (Ferrum)
Coach Jay Pannell introduced the final group of athletes who are moving on to college level
track and field.
DeShawn Austin will be enrolling at Roanoke College. He holds the school record at Byrd for
the 300m hurdles. Pannell describes him as an “incredible athlete, who can do it all. He has
always hurdled. He sets goals to be the best and works hard. He helps me at middle school
meets. He led the team in so many things. He does it all and for the team. He has multiple All-
Blue Ridge District and Regional Athletes of the Meet. He has fought through injuries. He is
going to make an immediate impact at Roanoke College and in the ODAC.”
Landon Martin signed with Lee University in Tennessee. He and Pannell met at a JV football
game where the coach discovered he ran hurdles. “He has never stopped working. He recently
qualified for states for the 110-meter hurdles. He is a talented and hard-working young man who
understands he can change the world with his ministry.”
Grace Onwi will be attending Radford University. She is a school record holder in the 400-
meter dash, 4×400 relay, 300-meter dash, and 500-meter dash. “When she sets her mind to
something, she definitely goes out and tries to achieve it. Coach Shelly Sayers is extremely
excited to have Grace at Radford next year.”
Greg Stiltner signed with Roanoke College. “He is one of the top seven throwers in the discus
and shot put at WBHS. He works hard and always has throughout the years whether it’s been on
the football field or during track season. He helps at middle school meets and doesn’t mind
sharing information with younger athletes. At the beginning of the year, he planned to enter the
workforce after graduation, but then on April 1, he announced he was attending Roanoke College
to throw for Coach Workman. He is a true role model in his household and at this high school
and middle school track and field program.”
The signing concluded with “this is more than a ceremony. It’s a tribute to your hard work,
teammates who believe in you and became family. Go chase your dreams; make your mark, and
make WBHS proud.”
(photos by Suzanne Witcher and Coach Brad Lutz)
