Middlesboro senior Trinity Hardin has signed to play soccer with the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg. Surrounded by her family and coaches, Hardin signed her letter of intent to play for the Lady Patriots on Thursday at Middlesboro High School.

“It’s a pretty big deal to me,” said Hardin. “I’ve played for eight years now, and (I) never really thought I would be here. I’ve worked hard and I’m very excited about the next step.”

Hardin’s parents, Louie and Donna, are exceptionally proud of their daughter for pursuing her education.

“It means a lot to us,” said Louie. “She’s one of the first people on my side of the family to be going to college. It’s a huge deal to us.”

“She’s also the first on my side of the family to go to college, we are incredibly proud,” added Donna.

Hardin’s coach, Quentin Mason, has enjoyed watching Hardin grow as a player.

“I’m extremely proud of her,” said Mason. “I know how proud Jeff (Sorkey), her parents and everyone in the community is as well. She has come a very long way.”

Hardin’s former coach, Jeff Sorkey, fondly recalls how Hardin began her career.

“We started an after-school soccer program about a decade ago, and the first day she showed up in fourth grade, she showed up with these big old boots on,” said Sorkey. “I remember saying to her, ‘you can’t play in those boots’, and she said ‘well, I didn’t bring any tennis shoes with me’, so I told her ‘well, come on out then, just don’t kick anybody’ and she came out and did her thing.”

Coach Mason and former coach Sorkey recall relying on Hardin when it counted the most.

“She plays great defense,” said Mason. “I moved her to forward for most of her senior year. When it came down to district time, we had some injuries and I moved her around a little bit. She stepped up and did a great job for us.”

“She has great ball anticipation,” said Sorkey. “She reads the speed of the game and reads the players exceptionally well. She is great at making adjustments, and that will translate to the next level.”

Hardin is set to depart for Williamsburg shortly after graduation, where she will pursue her degree in Sports Therapy.