5 more Cove student-athletes move on to college

By TJ MAXWELL

Cove Leader-Press

As students cap an end to their high school careers with the upcoming social distancing graduation ceremonies happening over the next few days, some student-athletes will be embarking on their next academic and athletic chapter.

Senior Ahmad Pierce will continue his academic and basketball career at Midland University in Fremont, NE where he will pursue a double major in business management and psychology. He celebrated with family during a mock ceremony Wednesday in front of the high school’s Bulldawg Gymnasium.

Pierce was a two-year letterman and was an All-District Honorable Mention and was selected to the All-District Academic Team.

Pierce will play for head coach Oliver Drake entering his sixth season at the helm.

Senior lefty Jakob Estrada will continue his academic and baseball career at Navarro Junior College in Navarro.

“He’s a talented left-handed pitcher with great work ethic and will compete and do great things there,” Copperas Cove head baseball coach Bryant Lopez in a social media post.

Estrada will play for head coach Matt Podjenski and the Navarro team that went 41-18 last year

Dual-sport athlete EJ McAdams will continue his career at Texas College in Tyler where he intends to pursue a business degree.

McAdams will play for head coach Marco Mthembu entering his seventh season as head coach.

Finally, a pair of football players will continue their careers at Cisco Junior College in Cisco where they will follow in the footsteps of many Bulldawgs turned Cisco Wranglers. Christian Eseroma and Christian Tuiasosopo celebrated the signings with their families during mock ceremonies at the school last Thursday. 

Former Bulldawgs Phil Aumua. Logo Kaleopoa and Colton Tuiasosopo all graduated in 2018 and continued their careers at four-year universities. Aumua went to Fort Lewis University in Durango, Co while Kaleopoa and Tuiasosopo moved on to the University of Texas at Permian Basin. Former Bulldawg Elijah Timarkey (Cisco Class of 2016) continued his career at Alabama A&M University

Eseroma had 20.5 tackles, including four tackles for losses, and two sacks in his senior season with the Bulldawgs.

Tuiasosopo finished his senior season with 28.5 tackles, including 3.5 for losses. He also had five pass breakups, an interception and a fumble recovery.

They will play for head coach/offensive coordinator Ryan Taylor entering his eighth season.

These five student-athletes will write the final chapters of their high school career with a three-day graduation ceremony beginning today that allows the student to walk the stage at the high school’s Lea Ledger Auditorium while a maximum of six family members look on.