News & Announcements
Julianne Shirley signs with Berry College
Julianne Shirley officially signed with Berry College to continue her athletic and academic career beyond her time at Tallulah Falls. The senior State Champion has been an integral part of the track and field program for several years at TFS.
"Julianne is a GREAT captain and competitor, a TFS track and field lifer (since 6th grade) who earns the respect of her teammates by contributing to the life of the team and encouraging those around her,” adds coach Scott Neal. “A two-sport State Champion (volleyball and 4x4 relay) who sets a competitive standard, Julianne holds two relay records and the high jump outdoor school record and two indoor relay records."
For Shirley, being able to compete at the collegiate level for the Vikings, who reside in NCAA Division III out of the Southern Athletic Association, is a dream come true.
“It has been a dream of mine since my sophomore year at the area meet,” states Shirley. “I broke a personal record that I thought I would never break. I realized at that moment that I could not imagine only having two more seasons of track and field. So, I decided I wanted to try and compete in college. To finally reach the goal of signing and playing at the next level feels like a huge accomplishment.”
She didn’t just settle for any school that would give her the opportunity. She’s had an eye on where she’d go for several years.
“Berry has been a college I have been looking at since the summer after 9th grade when I went to a volleyball camp there,” says Shirely. “As I was narrowing down my college choices, the coaches at Berry reached out to me during the recruiting process. Coach Syverson and Coach Ulrich were extremely supportive and helpful during the process. They have emphasized an academics-first approach that appeals to me. While I know I want to compete in college, my main goal is to get a great education and that makes Berry a perfect fit for me. After talking to my family and Coach Neal, and praying, I felt led to take the step and commit to Berry.”
“We are excited about Julianne joining our program,” exclaims Berry coach Luke Syverson. “Like other track & field grads that have been and are currently a part of our team, she brings an enthusiastic and coachable personality to our team. Her success in the 200/400m and High Jump will be a great and needed addition to our current roster and know she will fit right in. We are thankful her academic and athletic goals lined up with the unique experience Berry has to offer and we look forward to what she will accomplish here during the next four years.”
Shirley shined last season in the high jump, where she set a PR of 5-1 early in the season and finished 5th at state. She also starred in the 400 meter dash (59.47 PR), coming in 3rd at state and winning the individual Region Championship in that event. She ran the 200 meter (26.47 PR) as well at state after coming in as Region Runner-Up. She anchored the 4x400 relay that won the State Championship in a school record time of 4:07.70.
“Coach Neal has played so many roles in my career as a TFS athlete,” adds Shirley. “He has been a mentor, a supporter, and an adviser as well as my coach. He has given me many tips and tricks on not only how to be a better athlete, but a better person. Since the beginning of my running career in sixth grade, he has always believed in me and encouraged me to compete to the best of my ability. I’ve told him my goals and he has done many things to help me reach those goals. TFS provided me every opportunity for a great education and I believe that all my teachers have helped me prepare for a smooth transition to college.”
Shirley is the fourth TFS student-athlete to sign an LOI this academic year, and she’s the 18th track and field athlete in Tallulah Falls history to compete at the next level. She will be honored with all other senior signees in May 2024 at the second annual Next Level Signing Ceremony.