Anna Clanton signs her letter of intent to continue her golf career at MTSU. (Photo courtesy of David Smith)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
Anna Clanton has certainly put her stamp on the Cascade golf program.
As a senior, she helped lead the Lady Champions to the first-ever state team title.
Having played at one of the highest levels of competition in the state for the past several years, Clanton was sure to end up on the radar of colleges at some point.
That point has come as she recently signed her letter of intent to continue her golf career at MTSU.
“It feels good making the decision knowing I’m going to go and play golf,” she said.
Knowing she didn’t want to venture far away from home, as well as getting a tour of the campus, Clanton knew pretty quickly MTSU is where she was headed.
“They saw me and messaged me. So I went on a visit and I really liked it. Then like three weeks later, they offered me. I didn’t want to go too far,” she said.
Clanton has been swinging golf clubs for as long as she can remember, but it was during her middle school years when she started really focusing on the sport.
“I’ve always been swinging a golf club, but eighth grade
Clanton finished fourth overall in the Class A state tournament to help lead Cascade to the first-ever state championship. (Post File Photo by Chris Siers)
is when I really started practicing,” she said.
All through her high school career, Clanton has been part of some great postseason runs, but always had a tough time running into state powerhouse Summertown in the regional match.
While winning a state title was certainly among her highest accomplishments, Clanton said finally getting over the hump and beating Summertown this season was among her favorite memories playing at Cascade.
“Probably regions and beating Summertown and knowing we’ve lost to them three years in a row,” she said.
While she’s still nearly a year away from stepping foot on campus at MTSU as a student, Clanton hopes to line up some tournaments to help get back into routine playing in preparing for her upcoming freshman season.
“I’m going to try and get into some tournaments so I can get back into playing like how high school was,” she said.
Having signed a letter of intent not only secured her spot for the next four years, but showcases for future golfers that a path to college is a viable option if the work is done.
“It feels good knowing there is an option that if you work hard enough, you can go farther and make it your future,” Clanton said.
While she’s currently undecided, Clanton is leaning towards a degree in business.
