Monroe High School standout athletes sign

ALBANY — Toddrianna Isler stood up behind the signing table to make a speech Thursday afternoon before she signed a letter-of-intent to play college basketball at Andrew College.

The thing she was about to do was harder than any 3-point shot, rebound or steal she could produce as a member of the Monroe High School basketball team.

“I was just looking into the crowd and I was like, ‘Wow, this many people came to support me,’ ” Isler said. “I just want to thank God for giving me the opportunity.”

Isler broke into tears before she could finish thanking her supporters. Then she signed with Andrew.

Before her, wrestling standout Quantavious Kelley shared the same thoughts. When he was given the microphone to make a speech before signing a wrestling scholarship with Thomas More College, his words grew faster and he almost couldn’t finish.

But Kelley spoke in front of friends, family and coaches, thanked them, then laughed when it was over.

“They’re goofy and they know I’m goofy, so to talk in front of them was kind of embarrassing because I knew they were going to make a joke out of everything I said because I talk funny,” Kelley said.

Thomas More College is a four-year liberal arts college in Crestview Hills, Ky.

Isler was a starter for the Lady Tornadoes and played key role in helping Monroe make it back to the state tournament this season. The senior will graduate with honors and before her signing ceremony concluded, Monroe principal Vincent Davis singled her out for her achievements on the court and in the classroom.

“Coaches don’t travel and scholarships are not awarded until you succeed in the classroom first,” Davis said, challenging the students in attendance.

Kelley has wrestled for the past three seasons. When coach Clifford Wooden said he talked to Kelley about wrestling several years ago, the senior initially wanted nothing to do with the sport.

“The main problem was I didn’t like wrestling at first, because I felt like what was the point of grabbing a man if you can’t hit him?” Keller said. “But eventually, I grew on the idea and it made its mark on my heart.”

And he’s headed to wrestle in college.