ROCKINGHAM — Exactly a week before Christmas Day, Richmond Senior High School’s Garet Weigman was spreading joy -- but in the spirit of verbally committing to college.
Weigman, a senior baseball player for the Raiders, announced via his Twitter account Tuesday night that he had verbally committed to play baseball at Guilford College.
“I am excited to announce that I will be furthering my education and my baseball career at Guilford College,” Weigman’s tweet read. “I would like to thank my parents for their continued support as well as all of the coaches along the way that have taught me the game that I love. Go Quakers!”
As the end of the first semester of his senior year is set to draw to a close in mid-January, Weigman became the second Raider baseball player to commit to play college ball. Last month, teammate and fellow senior Cameron Carraway verbally committed to play at Wingate University.
Weigman joins the likes of Richmond student-athletes Malik Stanback (Wofford College, football), Nolan Allen (Piedmont International University, soccer), Tatum Hubbard (Methodist University, soccer), Carraway and a trio of Richmond softball players (Savannah Lampley, Taylor Parrish and Greyson Way) who have either verbally committed or signed their letters of intent this school year.
His announcement to become a college catcher fulfilled a dream that Weigman has long desired since he began playing the game as a youngster.
“It’s kind of crazy,” Weigman smiled. “I’ve been coming to Richmond baseball games since I was 12 or 13, and I remember seeing Bradley Brown (Wingate baseball alumni) and Ethan Baucom (UNC-Pembroke) playing and having colleges looking at them. That’s something I always wanted to happen to me, so it’s a really cool opportunity.
“I’m really excited to be able to play at a higher level,” he added. “But there’s a bittersweetness to it of not playing with guys that I grew up with after this (Richmond) season. I just want to make the most of my senior season.”
Guilford College, which is a Division III program located in Greensboro, N.C., was one of several schools from across the state that showed interest in Weigman’s talents. He explained that other schools had reached out to him, including Barton College, Methodist University and Lenoir-Rhyne University.
The recruiting process “really picked up” following Weigman’s junior season with the Raiders this past spring, and he got some help from college recruiter Ken Carlyle. Weigman explained that Carlyle got in touch with college coaches and sent game film of him playing, which “helped a lot with getting (his) name out there.”
As with most high school athletes and their respective sports, Weigman plays baseball nearly year-round. When he’s not playing for Richmond head coach Ricky Young, he can be found competing in showcase tournaments with Purpose Driven Baseball and head coach Mike Griffin. It was while playing with PDB that Guilford first made contact with Weigman.
“Coach (Nick) Black first reached out to me after showcase in Holly Springs in July,” Weigman said. “It was a camp that our team was participating in, and there were 10 or 12 coaches from across the Carolinas there. Coach Black asked for my contact information.”
That initial contact led Weigman to visit Guilford’s campus in late August just before the start of his senior year. During the visit, Black made the offer to him to play for the Quakers.
“I was filled with happiness,” Weigman shared of the moment he decided on Guilford. “But I was also glad it was over -- the recruiting process was long. I’m glad I’m going into this season not having to worry about where I’m going to play in college.
“I chose Guilford because my dad told me I’d eventually walk onto a campus and I’d feel at home,” he continued. “And that’s what happened during my visit. Plus the coaches were also very welcoming and I felt like I could become a better player with them.”
The Quakers, which compete in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, went 20-20-1 in 2018. Black’s team was swept by the Virginia Wesleyan University Marlins in the postseason, and finished the year with an 8-12 mark in conference play.
Another reason Weigman chose Guilford was the likelihood that he’ll get “a chance to play as a freshman and not sit the bench.” He also said staying close to home was a priority.
“Ever since I was little, I’ve always been working hard at playing this game,” he said. “Growing up, every kid wants to make it to the Majors. I’ve always wanted to play college baseball, and that’s been a goal of mine. So I’m really thankful to achieve that.”
Before he reports to Greensboro next summer, Weigman has his eyes set on helping the Raiders this spring. Young and company are set to begin preseason workouts in January after the holiday break.
During his junior campaign, Weigman played in 24 games and batted .245 with 13 hits, five doubles and 10 runs batted in. He had a .339 slugging percentage, while also posting a .657 on-base plus slugging percentage. Behind the plate, Weigman tallied a .980 fielding percentage, and added 46 putouts and two assists.
“I just want to improve my overall skill set,” he said. “Consistently playing year-round has helped me get better and my talents are always at their highest. By improving (this spring), I will give myself a better chance of starting in college. And I want to help (Richmond) any way I can and win a lot of ball games.”
Once in college, Weigman plans on majoring and business management. He noted there’s also a chance to earn academic scholarships to offset the inability for Division III athletes to receive athletic funding.
“I want to thank my parents, Gary and Shawn Weigman, for helping me through the long process and their continued support,” Weigman concluded. “I also want thank Coach Young and Ken Carlyle for helping me get better on the field.”
