Kiser, Joiner, Clark, Jones moving on

 Richlands' Melanie Kiser and Jacksonville's Britney Joiner will soon be college soccer teammates while Southwest wrestler Dennis Clark and Northside football player Chris Jones also have plans to play at the next level.

Kiser and Joiner recently signed national letters of intent to play soccer at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Clark recently signed to wrestle at St. Andrews in Laurinburg and Jones will join the football program at Hargrave Military Academy in Chathan, Va.

All four are coming off productive seasons.

Kiser, a midfielder/defender, only tallied an assist, but was key in the Wildcats registering six shutouts en route to a second-place finish in the East Central 2-A Conference and a berth in the third round of the NCHSAA 2-A playoffs.

Joiner, a speedy forward, garnered nine goals and 12 assists to help the Cardinals to the 3-A East Regional semifinal. Clark was the ECC champion in the 130-pound weight class while Jones was a key component in the Monarchs having a strong running game en route to an ECC title and a third straight trip to the 2-A East Regional final. 

Kiser to UNCP: Kiser had her heart set on Pembroke because of Braves head coach Lars Andersson.

"I'm excited to play for Coach Lars because I had always been looking to be one of his players," she said. "Pembroke offered me a nursing program and Coach Andersson is a really good coach and he showed great interest in me."

Kiser is versatile with the ability to play different positions. Mainly a defender, she was moved to the midfield as a senior and helped the Wildcats dictate possession.

Still, Kiser, the daughter of Howard and Leanna Kiser of Richlands, pointed to something else as her strength.

"It was probably my leadership," she said. "Now I pretty much have to get in shape by playing with the boys during free play."

Joiner to be a Brave: Joiner seems as a perfect fit for UNCP.

At least that's what Joiner and others believed as she was trying to find a place to play.

"John Sweeney (Southwest coach) came to me and said we needed to look at this college because (former Southwest star) Nisa Akins goes there and also because Coach Andersson likes fast players," said Joiner. "I looked at the campus and loved all the people there and I like the girls on the team and well as the coach."

Joiner knows what she must improve on before becoming a Brave.

"I need to get stronger and I need to get more used to this heat and my dad says mowing the grass will help me do that," she quipped. "I don't think I will do that, but I will go out and just play."

Joiner, the 18-year-old daughter of George and Samantha Turnley of Jacksonville, also considered Barton and Cape Fear.

Clark to St. Andrews: Clark also considered Appalachian State, Pembroke and Campbell, but several things allowed him to set his mind on St. Andrews.

"I like the coach and this place looks like a place I could make a name for myself," he said. "The wrestling program is new, it's only in its third year, but it looks like it could be one of the better programs around."

Clark, the 17-year-old son of Gary and Meredith Clark of Jacksonville, will likely gain three pounds and wrestle in the 133-pound weight class.

"Or I could gain enough muscle and get to 141," he said. "But I just want to get more experience against better guys and get more mat time."

Clark said his determination will set him apart from others.

"I have always been the smaller guy," he said. "But I think I have done well because I am committed to wrestling."

Jones to Hargrave Military: Jones will soon become just the fifth person in Hargrave Military Academy history to join the football team as a high school senior.

Typically the program invites high school graduates.

"It's a big honor considering only five of them have been selected in 100 years," said Jones. "I am really happy coming in as a senior and I am excited to go."

Jones, a lineman, said this was his decision.

"I wanted to get my academics right and I know this will make me a better man for college," he said. "I plan to finish my senior year here and then go from there.

"The football team has some of the best players in the country and I am ready for the challenge of playing with them."

Jones, the 17-year-old son of Clarissa and Lucius Francis and William Jones, looks to play both on the offensive and defensive lines.

"I just need to work on my strength and my speed as well as my academics," he said.