By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – When Thompson High School senior Antonio Brown joined the THS track program last year, he made one goal known almost immediately.

“When Antonio came to us last year, he was a pretty good 100- and 200-meter runner, and was determined to make it to the next level,” THS head track coach Chris Schmidt wrote in a letter read during Brown’s scholarship-signing ceremony in the school’s cafeteria on April 30. “It’s no surprise to anyone to see Antonio signing. Antonio, I just want to say thank you for all the work you’ve done on and off the track.”

Brown made his dream a reality during the April 30 ceremony by signing a scholarship offer with Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, Iowa.

“This is a huge day for him, for this program and this school. This is why we do what we do. This why we encourage y’all and stay on y’all, because the best part of this program is seeing y’all go on to the next level,” said THS assistant track coach Mason Dye. “Winning state championships is huge, but seeing student athletes go on to represent us and represent themselves at the next level, this is our proudest moment. Antonio, personally, I’m very proud of you. You worked hard, and you deserve this.”

Schmidt said Brown has had an impact on the program both on and off the track.

“It’s been my honor and my privilege to have had the opportunity to coach Antonio Brown the past two seasons,” Schmidt wrote. “Antonio may or may not realize it, but he is a role model to so many of our student-athletes. He’s one of the first ones to arrive at the track, and he’s always one of the last ones to leave.”

Brown said he will forever be thankful for the friendships he built with his teammates and coaches at THS.

“I want to thank everyone for coming out and showing support. We’re all family here, and we all love each other,” he said. “We’re going to finish the year good academically and on the track. I love all of y’all.”