The O’Neal School celebrated the collegiate athletic signings of senior student-athletes Ashton Fager and Jordin Reed during a special ceremony on April 29, recognizing their dedication, leadership, and athletic accomplishments.
Ashton Fager has signed to continue his track and field career at the University of North Carolina Wilmington at the Division I level. A varsity track athlete since the eighth grade, Fager has established himself as one of the most accomplished sprinters in O’Neal history. Throughout his career, he has broken multiple school records in the 100m, 200m, and 400m events and was also a member of the school record-setting 4x400m relay team.
During the signing ceremony, Ashton’s assistant coach and father reflected on the unseen commitment that fueled his success.
“Ashton did not achieve his goals because he was lucky or purely gifted — it was because of his sheer determination, sacrifice, work ethic, and all of the work that generally goes unseen,” he shared. “You have achieved something that not many people have — an opportunity to compete at the Division I level in college.”
Assistant Coach and Athletic Director Lance Stucky also spoke about Fager’s growth as both an athlete and a leader during his time at O’Neal.
“From the moment Ashton joined the program in eighth grade, his determination stood out,” Stucky said in a press release. “What he may have lacked in size or experience early on, he made up for with relentless drive and competitiveness. Over the years, he has developed into a focused leader who sets the standard for what it means to be a student-athlete at O’Neal.”
The school also celebrated Jordin Reed, who signed to continue her soccer career at Carteret Community College. Reed has been a varsity soccer player since the eighth grade and has built an impressive multi-sport athletic resume during her time at O’Neal. In addition to soccer, she was a key contributor to the varsity volleyball program for all four years of high school, a state-champion swimmer, and a member of the varsity girls basketball team during her senior year.
Varsity soccer head coach Kyle Kegl described Reed as “chaos in cleats” during the ceremony, highlighting the speed, energy, and relentless pressure she brings to the game.
“She’s fast, she’s dangerous, she competes, and over time she figured out how to turn all that energy into goals, chances, and real production,” Kegl said. “They’re getting a player who can stretch a defense, bring pressure, and flip a game before the other team knows what happened.”
Assistant Athletic Director Jen Hamner, who was an assistant coach to Reed in both volleyball and soccer, shared her excitement for Reed’s future.
“We are proud of her hard work, growth, and commitment to the game, and we are excited to see her continue her journey by the coast,” Hamner said.
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