Pair of Seahawks ink with colleges at next level

A pair of South Walton athletes will be taking their athleticism to the next level.

Dual-sport star David Bazylak signed on with Division III Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala. late last week and plans to tackle both baseball and football in his first year there.

"He's real speedy with the bat and a good outfielder and he's going to try to be their kicker," Seahawks Athletic Director David Barron said.

Jared Bump, meanwhile, will take his baseball acumen to Mars Hill College in North Carolina to join the baseball team there.

"We're really excited for those two guys," Barron said.

Bazylak emerged as a multiple-role talent for the South Walton football team last year and ultimately accounted for a team-leading 137 points as an offensive weapon and a reliable place kicker, which is what he'll likely be called upon to do at Huntingdon.

Bump served as one of the Seahawks' main threats at the plate and on the mound as a talented multi-role athlete himself. He was the Seahawks' No. 1 pitcher last season and their starting third baseman, a role Seahawks coach Kevin Cipriani said was his strongest last year.

"What Mars Hill is receiving is a solid third baseman with a cannon for an arm and a go-to pitcher at any time," Cipriani said. "He'll come in and battle."