Signing surprise party

Rockford’s two-time Golf state qualifier Sydney Fullerton signs on to play for NIACC

By John Burbridge sports@charlescitypress.com

ROCKFORD — Sydney Fullerton apparently didn’t get the memo.

“They should have been here by now,” the Rockford senior Fullerton said of her pending signing to continue her golf career at North Iowa Area Community College.

“Maybe they came in the other entrance,” Fullerton said.

You almost felt sorry for Fullerton. Usually when a Warrior athlete signs on to continue his or her athletic career, it drums up a lot of fanfare from fellow classmates as well as the school’s teachers, coaches and administrators.

But her it appeared Fullerton’s signing was going to be an afterthought. That was until she got the notion that maybe the event was set to take place in the other side of the building in the school’s gymnasium.

Sure enough, a big crowd was waiting for her.

Even NIACC coach Chris Frenz was impress by the turnout.

“I’ve never seen so many people turn out for one of these,” he said.

Fullerton is a two-time state qualifier in golf. She made it down with the Warrior team as a sophomore before qualifying as Rockford’s lone individual last season, when she finished 14th.

“I feel good about getting down there again,” said Fullerton, whose team finally got to practice outdoors on Monday.

“It’s nice to take full swings again,” said Fullerton, who was introduced to the game by her father Steve Fullerton, who is an avid golfer.

“It’s something we still love to do together, and I’ve learned so much from him,” Fullerton said.

As for Frenz, he’s glad to have Fullerton aboard.

“She’s been on our radar for the past three or so years,” Frenz said.