Wawasee senior Dillon Drake signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his soccer career at Trine University. Seated with Dillon are sister Casey Drake, mother Christine Drake and father Don Drake. In the back row are Wawasee athletic director Cory Schutz, Wawasee soccer assistant coach Carlos Camargo, Wawasee soccer assistant coach Rene Sanchez, Wawasee soccer head coach Jordan Sharp, Wawasee assistant principal Vince Beasley and Wawasee principal Kim Nguyen. (Photo by Mike Deak)

SYRACUSE – Hard work and a lot of persistence granted Wawasee senior Dillon Drake to further one of his passions.

Drake, the goalkeeper for Wawasee’s boys soccer program, signed his National Letter of Intent Friday to play soccer for Trine University.

“Dillon did it new school, he had a video, sent it out, got it into people’s hands,” said Wawasee boys soccer head coach Jordan Sharp. “Honestly, coaches weren’t knocking down the doors. He had to promote himself, but give him a lot of credit, he worked hard to get to where he is. And, ultimately, he got noticed.”

Drake worked 15 matches for the Warriors this past season, earning four wins and posting a pair of shutouts. Drake was between the pipes both his junior and senior seasons as Wawasee reached the sectional final in each, helping the team turn a corner from years of futility.

Drake was the team’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 and earned four letters in soccer. He partook in three North-South Elite and two East-West Showcases. Drake is currently in his third season with the Wawasee boys golf program, serving as one of the top five varsity golfers.

Trine is coached by David Jacobs, the Thunder a Division III program. Drake, an 8.0 (12 scale) student, intends to study Sports Management in hopes of one day becoming an athletic director.

“After my second visit there, I decided it was the place I wanted to be,” Drake said after his signing Friday afternoon, surrounded by dozens of friends and family. “I’ve always wanted to play college soccer, and am happy I get the chance to do that.

“I think the one thing I improved on my senior year was seeing the ball and going and getting it,” continued Drake. “Right now, it’s just about staying fit and continuing to get better.”