Student Athletes Set School Record with Collegiate Athletic Signings

HARTSVILLE, S.C. (April 23, 2026) — The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) celebrated a historic milestone as three seniors signed letters of intent to compete in collegiate athletics. This marks the first time in the school’s history that three students have committed to college sports programs in a single academic year.

The signing class includes Emma Floyd, Jayden Press, and Hannah Hall, representing a diverse range of athletic disciplines and academic pursuits. GSSM Athletic Director Hugh O’Connor noted that the achievement highlights the unique ability of GSSM students to balance elite STEM academics with competitive sports.

"This is a momentous day for GSSM athletics," O'Connor said. "Emma, Jayden, and Hannah have demonstrated incredible discipline, balancing some of the most demanding academic standards in the country with the physical demands of varsity sports. To have three students sign in one year is a testament to their hard work and the growing culture of excellence within our athletic programs."

Emma Floyd, a native of Salem, South Carolina, signed to play softball for Union College in Schenectady, New York. Floyd, an avid hiker, will major in biomedical engineering.

Jayden Press, hailing from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, committed to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he will compete as a pole vaulter. Press, who enjoys robotics and music production, plans to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.

Hannah Hall, of Kingstree, South Carolina, signed with Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina, to run track. Hall, who enjoys painting and crafts, will major in biology.

GSSM, led by President Danny Dorsel, continues to be a premier destination for the state’s most academically motivated students, now proving it can also serve as a springboard for collegiate athletic careers.