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A pair of Morristown East High track athletes signed this week to further their academic and athletic careers at Milligan University in Northeast Tennesse.

Emma Ventura Martinez and Logan Jarnigan are both distance runners for the Hurricanes.

Emma Ventura Martinez said that the initial draw of Milligan University is that they are a faith centered school.

“I’m a very religious person, I would see other colleges, but I really like that Milligan is like that.” Ventura Martinez said.

Ventura Martinez said it’s been a long road to get to where she is now, but she is very excited to begin her season.

“I love running. I started in 8th grade and I wasn’t a runner at first, but my mom pushed me to try it and I’m pretty good at it now. It took me a while, but I worked hard,” she said.

Ventura Martinez said her coaches inspired her and pushed her along the way, helping her achieve this goal, and she is very thankful for their encouragement. “My freshmen year, coach (J.D.) Newsom pushed me and inspired me and in my sophomore and junior years Coach D (Derrick Folsom). helped me a lot. Coach (Andee) Swann came in my senior year and encouraged me so much, she was such an amazing coach and just really helped me. I have had so many coaches push me and I am so blessed to have them.”

Ventura Martinez said she is excited to begin her studies at Milligan University. She is pursuing a degree in biology and has goals to one day become a pediatrician. “I am really ready to focus on my sport and my major.”

Logan Jarnigan said there were several factors that led him to Milligan.

“They’ve got a strong running program there,” he said, adding he loves the area. “It’s such a beautiful city.”

Jarnigan said he’s excited to meet his new team, to compete on the next level and begin his studies in mechanical engineering.

Jarnigan expressed his thanks for his cross country coach Swann and coach (Sarah) Leeper and Coach Steve for their guidance and support.

“Miss Swann really helped me improve myself this year,” he said. “She really helped get (me) to where I can go to college. Of course, coach Leeper and coach Steve, they helped me through track and breaking the school records … they helped me through that journey and helped me through those bigger races and stuff.”

Jarnigan, who missed his freshman and sophomore years as he battled diabetes, said he also had to overcome a knee injury this year.

“There’s always obstacles,” he said. “(I’m) just trying to combat it and finish through this season.”