Sherwood Christian’s Molly Kate McClearn signs with Covenant

ALBANY — Sherwod Christian Academy soccer standout Molly Kate McClearn smiled a lot Monday morning.

She wasn’t excited about starting another week of school, but the senior was thrilled to sign a letter of intent to continue her career at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Ga., just south of Chattanooga, Tenn.

McClearn was a two-sport standout with the Lady Eagles where she played soccer as an attacking midfielder. She also played basketball before giving up the sport this season.

“I just liked soccer better,” she said. “I’ve played since I was like four years old. I’d only played basketball like the last four years, so I gave it up to save my knees for college.”

McClearn also considered Bryan College in Tennessee, but when her father landed a job as the head of security at Covenant, it made her decision that much easier.

Not only will McClearn leave Albany after graduation, she said her entire family is moving as well.

“I attended soccer camps and Covenant, and I sort of fell in love with the school,” she said. “Then when my dad got the job there, that pretty much sealed it.”

McClearn has played a key role in the Sherwood Christian girls soccer team winning three straight state titles. She was a freshman in 2014 when the Lady Eagles won the Georgia Independent Schools Association championship, their last year as a GISA member.

Then Sherwood won the past two titles in the Georgia Independent Christian Athletic Association.

With her signing complete, McClearn said she can focus on trying to help Sherwood win a fourth straight title.

“It was pretty cool seeing everyone there to support me,” McClearn said of her signing. “With not having to worry about where to go to school anymore, I’m going to enjoy these last few months.”