HICKORY, N.C. — The Catawba Valley Community College bass fishing program continued making history this week with the first two Red Hawk anglers signing to continue their academic and athletic careers with a four-year program.

CVCC anglers Adam Seagle and Jeremy Dellinger both signed with Erskine College during a special ceremony held this week at the Tarlton Complex.

"As a coach that's my goal — to have my kids go on to a four-year program," said CVCC bass fishing head coach Angela Mayo. "To have these two guys be our first signings at the four-year level is pretty special."

Seagle, a North Lincoln High School alumnus along with Dellinger, knew some of the anglers at Erskine, which led him to the Flying Fleet's bass fishing program.

"I knew some of the guys from high school who had signed down there, and we would talk throughout the semester," Seagle said. "I got a message from (Erskine) coach Ryan (Teems) offering us a scholarship to fish for them the next two years. It's a really good feeling of being able to continue to go to school and fish, but seeing some familiar faces."

Dellinger is excited to join Erskine, and he believes his journey at CVCC will help him be successful at the four-year level.

"It seems like a very good environment. Everything is set up for us to be successful," Dellinger said. "I think it'll be good because we're taking experience there. Several guys on that team are newer to college fishing. Coming in with two years of experience under our belts I think can help make for something really special."

A four-time national tournament qualifier with the Red Hawks, Seagle is thankful for his journey at Catawba Valley Community College with its bass fishing program.

"We're very grateful to Catawba Valley for accepting us into their family and giving us this opportunity to sign with a four-year college," Seagle said.

Many of the memories Dellinger made during the past two years at CVCC have shaped not only his career as an angler, but also his life.

"There have been some special moments," Dellinger said. "I've qualified for a national championship twice, which is special, but there are some moments that you just have to step back and appreciate like the laughs, all the houses and lakes we've been to, all the scenarios and all the things you've seen on the lakes. You can't replace them."

Mayo is proud of both Seagle and Dellinger for what they've done for her program in its first two years of existence.

"Jeremy and Adam have been good leaders for our team along with Lane Bailey and Caleb Lonca, who are going to sign to compete on the four-year level later," Mayo said. "It's awesome seeing them from their freshman year in their first tournament when they were scared to now being confident fishermen going on to established four-year programs."

Seagle and Dellinger aren't done competing for the Red Hawks just yet. They return to action with the entire CVCC bass fishing next week for the Boat U.S. National Championship, which takes place on Wednesday and Thursday at Lake Murray in South Carolina.