Sally Marie Futch, a senior at Bulloch Academy, signs a letter of intent to become a thrower for Jacksonville’s track and field program. Pictured seated left to right: Father Floyd Futch, Sally Marie Futch and mother Dr. Lynn Futch. Standing, left to right: BA athletic director and girls track coach Clint Morgan and BA assistant coach Barbara Conner.
    “I felt like I could really thrive at Jacksonville,” said Futch, a three-time GISA Class AA state-champion discus thrower and one-time shot put champion. “I could really improve there. And one day, maybe even go to the Olympics.”
    Futch is ranked No. 10 nationally in the hammer throw and No. 15 nationally in the weight throw. She will compete in all four throwing events. The Jacksonville Dolphins, members of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Sun Conference, have won six-straight indoor track and field conference titles.
    Futch credits her BA coaches for allowing her freedom in developing into a D-I athlete.
“They let me kind of go out there and do my own thing,” she said. “They’ve let me grow.”