Long before the cameras flashed and the pens hit the table at Fort Mill High School’s Signing Day ceremony on Thursday, the real work was already done. It happened in 5 a.m. swim lanes, on dusty summer diamonds, inside packed gymnasiums, and in arenas miles from home.
Twelve Yellow Jackets officially made their college commitments Thursday afternoon, trading the blue and gold of Fort Mill for the colors of NCAA programs across the Southeast and beyond — a testament to years of sacrifice by the athletes, their coaches, and the families cheering from the stands.
Dominating the Diamond
Baseball led the day with four Yellow Jackets extending their careers to the next level, representing a deep core of talent that has defined Fort Mill on the diamond.
-
Braden Richardson (University of South Carolina): A four-year varsity starter and two-way standout, Richardson is staying close to home to suit up for the Gamecocks and study business. The 2026 Palmetto Games Most Outstanding Pitcher and former Fort Mill Team MVP brings a 4.27 GPA and a resume seasoned on the national circuit with the Baltimore Orioles Scout Team and USA Baseball National Championships.
-
Devon Pascarella (Winthrop University): Baseball has been part of Pascarella’s life since he was three years old, and on Thursday, that lifelong dedication paid off with a scholarship to nearby Winthrop. Boasting a 91 mph fastball, the two-sport varsity athlete (who also played football) struck out 27 batters in 16.1 innings last spring and helped deliver Fort Mill Post 43 its first Junior American Legion state title in 2025 — all while maintaining a 4.54 GPA and a 1340 SAT score.
-
Gabe Sipe (University of Chicago): Pairing elite academics with gritty two-sport toughness, Sipe — a four-year varsity wrestler and three-year baseball letterman — is headed to the Windy City. Behind the plate, Sipe posted a blistering 1.83-second pop time and threw out half of all would-be base stealers this past summer while hitting .360 against top national competition.
-
Sullivan Townley (Anderson University): A steady, reliable presence on the mound for three varsity seasons, Townley turned his sophomore All-Region campaign and junior MVP Pitcher honors into a collegiate opportunity with the Trojans.
Setting the Standard in the Pool and on the Court
Several signees leave Fort Mill not just as college-bound athletes, but as record-holders who reshaped their programs’ history books.
-
Lila Hadley (Georgia Southern University): Few athletes have collected hardware quite like Hadley. A six-time varsity letterwinner and 2026 team captain, she helped power Fort Mill to four state team championships (2022, 2023, 2024, and 2026), capturing 11 individual or relay state gold medals and setting the school record in the 400-freestyle relay along the way.
-
Colbie Wolf (United States Air Force Academy Prep School): A natural leader whether directing the offense as quarterback of the girls’ flag football team or running the floor on the hardwood, Wolf is preparing to serve her country while playing college basketball. The four-year varsity veteran and Team MVP enters her senior season on the doorstep of history, poised to surpass 1,000 career points and become Fort Mill’s all-time leading scorer in women’s basketball.
-
Maddy Radcliffe (Kennesaw State University) & Payton Roberts (Lenoir-Rhyne University): A dynamic duo on the volleyball court, Radcliffe and Roberts spent three varsity seasons elevating the Yellow Jackets together before signing Division I and Division II scholarships, respectively. Radcliffe, a dominant middle hitter who earned First Team All-State honors and ranked No. 1 in South Carolina in kills per set this fall, eclipsed 500 career kills. Feeding her the ball was Roberts, a two-year captain who led the region in assists this season and wrapped up her high school career with 1,316 assists.
Lacrosse, Soccer, and the Arena
From the turf fields to the equestrian ring, the final four signees proved that Fort Mill’s athletic reach knows no boundaries.
-
Cece Shia (St. Bonaventure University): Since picking up a stick in the fifth grade, Shia has been relentless. The attack star and team captain shattered Fort Mill’s career goals record, ranked No. 1 in South Carolina, earned All-American honors as a junior, and helped guide the Yellow Jackets to three consecutive state championship appearances.
-
Chase Foster (Florida Southern College): A four-year varsity starter who controlled possession from the X, Foster earned two All-State nods and Upper State Faceoff Player of the Year honors, helping power Fort Mill to a 5A Division II state runner-up finish in 2026.
-
Rowen Kaplan (Newberry College): Bringing pace and vision to both the wing and midfield for Fort Mill, Kaplan also captains his Charlotte Soccer Academy squad at the ECNL level, where he leads the team in statistical production.
-
Lucy Rabb (University of South Carolina): Having spent nearly her entire life in the saddle since age five, Rabb will join the reigning national championship equestrian program in Columbia. A seasoned competitor at premier national finals — including the ASPCA Maclay, USEF Medal Final, and Devon Horse Show — Rabb brings elite poise in hunter, jumper, and equitation disciplines to the Gamecocks.
Whether they are heading down the road to Rock Hill and Columbia or packing bags for New York, Illinois, and Florida, these twelve Yellow Jackets leave behind a standard of excellence that will echo through the hallways for years to come.
(Photos and biographies courtesy of Fort Mill High School atheltics.)
