BROOKHAVEN — Senior Mallory Martin signed with Southwest Mississippi Community College to further her soccer career Monday. Martin was also the Heisman Scholarship winner for Brookhaven Academy. 

She plans to study a field with chemistry or math but has not decided on anything specific just yet. Her family and friends gathered in the gym to celebrate the big day. 

“It feels good toI finally achieve this goal. I have wanted to play college soccer since I started playing in eighth grade,” Martin said. “I have been back and forth on whether to go or not. For some reason God told me this is where I need to be. I feel very at peace with myself.” 

She said she feels comfortable at Southwest and the school is closer to her home than Co-Lin Community College was. Brad Martin, her dad, said Southwest is about 10 minutes from their home. 

Mallory said she loved the coaches at Southwest and the supportive environment there. Some of her friends go to Southwest and have raved about the Baptist Student Union there. 

“I’m excited about the BSU. They enjoy it. I look forward to growing with the team, meeting new people and being involved with the BSU,” Mallory said. “They told me there is no BSU like it and how welcoming and nice the people are there.” 

Mallory could play against a teammate next year. Reagan Fortenberry signed with Copiah-Lincoln Community College and will continue to play soccer there. Mallory expects there to be a rivalry but said they will still love each other as friends and play the game. 

With her senior year nearly halfway through, Mallory said she is going to miss her friends and younger teammates at Brookhaven Academy. She is still playing basketball with the Cougars and has more time to wear the Brookhaven Academy jersey. 

“It is sad that it is coming to a close but I’m very excited about the rest of the season,” Mallory said. “I think we will be good this year. I’m enjoying it while we still have time.”