TROY – It was another big day in the Trojan Activity Center Wednesday morning as four Troy High School senior athletes made their college choices official.

Braden Coate, Emma Kennett, Renee Kovacs and Andrew Oates all signed their letters of intent.

Braden Coate

The son of Lisa Coate and Travis Coate will run cross country and track for Indiana University East.

Despite battling numerous stress fractures throughout his high school career, finished his cross country career at the state meet and hopes to do the same in track.

“I haven’t had a full season in track since my freshman year,” Coate said. “It would be nice to finish it off with a W.”

Coate said Indiana East was the perfect choice for him to spend his next four years.

“I was looking for a coaching staff that understood my injury situation,” Coate said. “I also talked to business professor Tim Scales when I visited and that was a big part of my decision as well.”

Coate feels like he can make an impact right away.

“They are building a program and it is really improving,” Coate said. “I think we can have a really good cross country team in a couple years.

Emma Kennett

The daughter of Terra and Rick Kennett will run cross country and track for the University of North Carolina-Asheville.

“I just fell in love with the campus the first time I set foot on it ,” Kennett said. “It is breathtaking and beautiful and I love the weather. They also have a great coaching staff.”

Kennett has always had a love for running.

“I started running in seventh grade,” she said. “I just love it.”

And she feels like she has found her home for the next four years.

“Just being on campus and being around all the students and my teammates,” Kennett said. “I can myself really fitting in there.”

Renee Kovacs

The daughter of Michelle and Denis Kovacs will run cross country and track at Xavier University.

Kovacs has consistently improved every year, qualifying for the state meet this fall and hopes to continue that at Xavier.

“I know it will be very competitive,” she said. “But, I think that is a good thing. It will push me and hopefully I will run some PRs. I am looking forward to the track season this spring.”

Kovacs first interest in Xavier was academics.

“I visited there for academic reasons,” she said. “I just liked everything about it and the coaches showed a lot of interest in me. I am really excited about it.”

Andrew Oates

The son of Dawn and Scott Oates will swim for Ashland University.

Oates is a four-time district qualifier in swimming.

“I have been a district qualifier my first three seasons and I am hoping to make it to state this year,” Oates said. “It is (his big goal).”

Oates said the choice of Ashland is an easy one.

“It had everything I was looking for,” he said. “I really like the coaches. I have been swimming since kindergarten. It is (something he has always loved).”

Oates feels like Ashland is a place he can make an immediate impact.

“Definitely,” he said. “The coaches have already been talking to me. I am looking forward to the opportunity.”