Bluffton, South Carolina - The Hilton Head Christian Academy (HHCA) community gathered to celebrate National Fall Signing Day for the NCAA Class of 2026 with a special ceremony honoring four student-athletes who have committed to continue their academic and athletic careers at Division I and Division II collegiate programs across the Southeast.

Families, students, faculty, and coaches gathered in the HHCA gymnasium to recognize the achievements of:

• Sage Bradshaw – Golf – Wake Forest University (Division I)
• Caitlyn Jackson – Volleyball – Mercer University (Division I)
• Slaide Burd – Baseball – Georgia Southern University (Division I)
• Roman Colella – Baseball – Anderson University (Division II)
   

These athletes have represented HHCA with excellence, humility, and perseverance. They’ve set a high bar for our program and inspired younger students to pursue their goals with faith and determination.

- JW Wilkerson, HHCA Athletic Director

ATHLETE HIGHLIGHTS

⛳️ Sage Bradshaw | Golf – Wake Forest University

Ranked #33 nationally in the 2026 class and the #1 junior golfer in South Carolina, Bradshaw is a two-time SCISA Individual State Champion and multi-year All-State selection. His summer season included a Top-10 finish at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

I'm honored to have been part of HHCA’s long tradition of golf excellence and grateful for the lifelong relationships I’ve built here. - Sage Bradshaw

When asked about why he chose Wake Forest, Bradshaw noted the program’s rich tradition of excellence, including 19 ACC Championships, 3 National Championships, and the legacy of Arnold Palmer, a Wake Forest alumnus. He said that most importantly, he had a strong personal connection with the coaching staff—leaders he respects deeply and who share his commitment to faith and character.

⚾️ Slaide Burd | Baseball – Georgia Southern University

A three-time All-Region selection and 2025 SCISA 4A Mr. Baseball, and becoming HHCA's 2024 and 2025 team MVP, Burd received 19 Division I offers before choosing Georgia Southern. He also received invitations to workout for 14 professional teams.

I play for an audience of One—and for my ‘Poppy,’ who always believed in me. Playing college baseball has been our shared dream. - Slaide Burd

Burd's favorite athletic memory at HHCA was winning back to back titles & playing with his younger brother, Stone, and playing with his older brother, Steele, for multiple years. He noted defining moments throughout his career were heart to heart talks with his late “Poppy” about getting to the next level in baseball.

⚾️ Roman Colella | Baseball – Anderson University

A back-to-back State Champion and 2025 SCISA 4A Player of the Year, Colella led HHCA in batting average and RBIs for consecutive seasons and holds lifetime varsity stats of .384 AVG, 117 hits, and 100 RBIs.

Winning our first State Championship as a team was unforgettable. I’m excited to keep growing at Anderson University, where the coaches’ philosophy felt like the perfect fit. - Roman Colella

Also excelling academically, Roman has been a member of the National Junior Honor Society and National Honor Society.  He says a favorite athletic memory was sweeping Pee Dee Academy during his sophomore year to win the team’s first State Championship in years.

🏐 Caitlyn Jackson | Volleyball – Mercer University

A four-year varsity standout and three-time All-State player, Jackson earned 2025 Region Player of the Year honors and surpassed 1,000 career kills. In addition to volleyball, Caitlyn was a member of the HHCA Varsity Girls Basketball State Champion teams in 2023 and 2024, and the 2022 Varsity Girls Tennis State Runner-Up. 

I’m so thankful to my coaches and family for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to continue playing beach volleyball in college. - Caitlyn Jackson

Caitlyn has also excelled academically as a four-year Principal’s Honor Roll student, Mercer University CASE Scholar, Junior Marshall and Governor's Award recipient. She has been an active leader in HHCA's Fellowship of Christian Athletes program as well.

With these signings, more than 20 HHCA student-athletes have continued their athletic careers at the collegiate level in just the last three graduating classes, underscoring the school’s growing reputation for excellence in both academics and athletics. Today’s event further reflects the school’s continued growth as a program that develops student-athletes of exceptional skill, integrity, and faith. Each of these students has made a lasting impact on their teams and the broader school community—on and off the field.

About Fall Signing Day

Each November, National Fall Signing Day marks the first opportunity for senior student-athletes in most NCAA sports (excluding football) to officially commit to collegiate athletic programs.