Three From GPS Sign On National Signing Day

Girls Preparatory School is proud to announce three student-athletes have participated in National Signing Day. In a school-wide assembly Wednesday, seniors Larkin Brown, Allison Smith, and Anna Croxall signed National Letters of Intent in front of their  supporters—coaches, classmates, teachers, and family. 

Across the country, nearly eight million students participate in high school athletics. Of that group, only about six percent go on to compete at NCAA schools.


“The challenge of reaching the next level of play for these athletes involves long hours of practice, consistent dedication, and numerous personal sacrifices,” says Jay Watts, GPS Athletic Director. “It also involves a great deal of support from families, coaches, and teammates. While this is certainly a magnificent personal accomplishment, having our students go on to compete at the college level is a true achievement for our school and for those who have supported them along their athletic journeys.”

Anna Croxall will be playing soccer at Tennessee Tech University.

Croxall was a standout center midfielder on this year’s TSSAA State Championship team and was part of the state semifinalist team last year. In 2013, she participated with the Tennessee Olympic Development Program. This year Croxall scored four goals and had two assists. As a varsity player her junior and senior years, she finished her high school career at 26-7-5 with a region record of 11-2-3. Croxall also runs varsity track for the Bruisers.

At GPS, Croxall is a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, FCA, Health Club, and Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (Spanish Honor Society). She also serves as a GPS Ambassador and a volunteer tutor at Glenwood Youth and Family Development Center.


“Anna is the epitome of what it means to be a Bruiser,” says Head Varsity Soccer Coach Patrick Winecoff. “No one works harder or is more invested in the success of the team than she is. It is evident in the training environment or during a match that she is a selfless player that celebrates the team. We are proud to recognize her accomplishment as an individual and know she will succeed at the next level.”


Larkin Brown signed to row at the University of Virginia.

Brown is the GPS record holder in the 2000-meter row with a time of 7:16.5. She was a part of the 2018 US Rowing Club National Championships and competed in the Czech Republic in August of this year as part of the eight-person U19 crew for the USA at the World Rowing Junior Championships where she won a silver medal. At the recent Head of the Hooch, Brown’s boat placed fourth out of 91 teams in the Women’s Youth 4, and she competed this fall at the Head of the Charles Regatta (Cambridge, Massachusetts).

At GPS, she is a member of Tucker River Fellows, Beta Club, Student Council, and Environmental Club. She serves as the Art Editor of Calliope, the GPS creative writing magazine, and volunteers at the Tennessee Aquarium. In 2017, she won the Susan BeVille Forker Award, presented to a varsity rower who exemplifies the same leadership and determination as Susan BeVille, GPS Class of 2001.

“Last year, Larkin set a goal of being the fastest athlete to come through the program, and accomplished just that,” says David Hall, Head Varsity Rowing Coach. “Then her goal became to make it to Selection Camp to compete for a seat at the World Junior Rowing Championships. After the invite to Selection Camp, Larkin found herself sitting in the United States Women's U19 8+ at Worlds this past August, where she raced to a silver-medal finish, proving there is nothing Larkin cannot do if she sets her mind to it. I am excited to watch her compete at the next level and continue to grow as an athlete and young woman under the excellent direction of Coach Kevin Sauer.”

Allison Smith will row at Dartmouth College.

Smith is the all-time second-fastest athlete to come through GPS Rowing (only seconds behind teammate Larkin Brown), with her 7:19 time in the 2000-meter row. Along with Brown, her boat finished fourth out of 91 in the Youth 4+ at the 2018 Head of the Hooch. She was also part of a fifth-place finish at the SRAA National Championships last May and competed this fall at the Head of the Charles Regatta (Cambridge, Massachusetts).

She is currently a member of GPS National Honor Society, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (Spanish Honor Society), and Environmental Club. She also serves as the president of GPS Student Council. In 2018, she won the Susan BeVille Forker Award, presented to a varsity
 rower who exemplifies the same leadership and determination as Susan BeVille, GPS Class of 2001.


“Allison personifies what it means to lead by example,” says David Hall, Head Varsity Rowing Coach. “She trains harder than her competition, often twice per day, and her results show for it. Her sheer hard work and determination to reach her goals are unmatched by anyone on the team. With a busy academic and service schedule, Allison manages her time better than many adults. As she heads to Dartmouth next year, I'm excited to watch Allison continue to grow as she will be an asset to the the program that Coach Wendy Bordeau has built for the Big Green.”


"We’re thrilled about Allison’s decision to join us at Dartmouth next fall,” says Kelly Harris, Assistant Coach, Dartmouth Women’s Rowing. “From the moment we met Allison and her parents last May, we knew she was a terrific young woman with a wealth of potential. She will definitely have an immediate impact on the speed of our program, and we are excited to help her develop technically and physically over the course of her four years as a member of the Big Green!”