LHSÂ soccer standout Lane Warrington signs an NCAA Letter of Intent to play at SMU, one of the premier programs in the country.
History was made in the Lawton High sporting lore Wednesday afternoon.
Surrounded by his family and friends inside Backporch Drafthouse on Gore Blvd., Lane Warrington signed a Letter of Intent to play soccer at SMU, reportedly becoming the Wolverines' first Division I soccer signee since the sport was added to Lawton Public Schools during the 1980s.Â
Even Warrington, who has scored 25 goals in three seasons as the LHS starting midfielder, is only now realizing the impact of his momentous feat.Â
"It's kind of becoming a reality now," Warrington said. "I was kind of nervous before this, but I think it's the right choice, and I'm excited and proud to be one of the first D-I players to come out of Lawton High."
Warrington has played soccer since he was a 5-year-old tyke in kindergarten — experience that has served him well in his 13-year trek to the Methodist university located in Dallas.
For Warrington, the goal of becoming a soccer player at the D-I level became a reality during his sophomore year. It was at that time he began receiving emails from several schools interested in his talents.Â
Outside of school ball, Warrington perfects his craft as a member of the Edmond-based Oklahoma Energy FC. The club routinely challenges inter-state teams, traveling as far as North Carolina and South Carolina for tournaments.Â
Those tournaments exposed many college coaches to Warrington's abilities, and from there, the offers came on a regular basis.Â
Tulsa, Oral Roberts, Memphis, Presbyterian College in South Carolina and UNC-Asheville were among the D-I programs that showed interest in the LHS senior, but for reasons pertaining to more than only soccer, one school — SMU — stood out to Warrington.
"I really like the educational value for my money, as well as the soccer part," Warrington said. "They finished, I think, Top 10 in the nation in the recruiting rankings this last year. I thought it was the best choice.
"I knew whenever I stepped on campus. I went on my official visit in October, and I really knew that's where I wanted to go."
Of course, Warrington said he couldn't have made this decision without the support of his family. After all, his parents invested many hours and years to help Warrington live his dreams, driving him to Edmond/OKC for club practice and back starting back when he was in the 7th grade.Â
Warrington is close to his family, and though the schools in the eastern part of the country provided enticing pitches, staying within close proximity of loved ones played a major role in his commitment to SMU. The Mustangs finished No. 8 in the final United Soccer Coaches rankings of 2017 with a record of 17-3-1.
SMU is about a three-hour drive from Lawton.
"My family was really open about where they wanted me to go," Warrington said. "They pretty much said it was up to me, for the most part. They definitely wanted me to get a good education at the same time as playing for a good soccer program.
"I wanted to stay a little closer to home. I like having friends and family come to watch games, and SMU is close enough, but not too close — it's the right distance."
Although the Mustangs are expected to be a top team again in 2018, Warrington is a candidate for a starting position come this summer.
"When I talked to the coaches, it seemed liked I would have the potential to start, and if not, I'll be getting a lot of playing time as a freshman, which was also a factor," Warrington said. "You always want to play as much as you can in your four years at your university."
Warrington joined Stillwater High's Vlad Munteanu as the only reported SMU soccer signees from Oklahoma.