Jessica Chernak and Kristin Whitmire fulfilled pledges Wednesday and will continue being softball teammates beyond their senior seasons at Ooltewah High School this spring. Both signed scholarship papers with Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn.

The two were among several that attended a camp at Austin Peay in September. Chernak said her college considerations were between five to 10 schools. She said Austin Peay was always among her top three or four.

“I liked it because it’s not too big, and not too small,” Chernak said. “It seems like the perfect size for me. The girls are nice. There’s pretty scenery. It made me feel like home — like Ooltewah.”

Whitmire had offers ranging from schools at the NAIA level to NCAA Division I. She said she felt like she needed the challenges that playing in a league like the Ohio Valley Conference will bring.

“I loved it,” Whitmire said. “I love the coach. I love what they’re trying to do with it. I love everything they’re trying to accomplish up there. It’s exactly what I wanted.”

Chernak and Whitmire each attested to feeling a good connection with Lady Governors first-year head coach Casey Dickson. Chattanooga native Lee Dobbins is also a member of APSU’s staff.

Dickson is from Arizona and has coached at the college level since 1999 when she was an assitant at Tulsa. She came to the Lady Govs from Philadelphia where she was Temple University’s head coach the previous three years.

“She played at Oklahoma,” Chernak said. “She’s been a lot of places. I know she knows what she’s doing. I feel confident around her. She’s said she’s not going to try to change my hitting style, so I like that.”

Whitmire started some as a freshman for the Lady Owls and has been their everyday shortstop and leadoff batter the last two seasons. Chernak has played center field and batted right behind her the last two years.

With some of the power gone from the middle of the batting order off last season’s Class AAA state-championship team, Ooltewah coach Norma Nelson is considering moving Whitmire to the No. 3 spot. Whitmire had eight home runs among her 24 extra-base hits last spring and was more than satisfactory in the leadoff role — batting .429 and scoring 54 runs.

Chernak hit .365 with eight extra-base hits and scored 38 runs. They contributed 53 RBIs combined.

“They’re getting two quality kids and two quality players,” Nelson said. “I think they haven’t reached their peak yet. They work hard. They want to get better.”

Chernak and Whitmire each expressed a relief in signing during the November signing period.

“I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me,” Whitmire said. “Now I’m so much more relaxed at school.”

Chernak plans on majoring in business administration and specializing in marketing. Whitmire is also considering business as her major.

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