Cummings Star D'Anna Cotton Commits to South Carolina Track Program

Cummings High School’s standout track and field athlete D'Anna Cotton formally committed to the University of South Carolina on November 30, ending a recruitment that drew attention from major programs across the country. Cotton, a senior who turns 18 in March, weighed offers and visits before selecting what she called the best fit for her athletic and academic goals.

Across her first three high school seasons Cotton compiled a rare record of success with 16 individual state championships, six runner up finishes, and three third place results. She has excelled as both a jumper and a hurdler and told reporters that the campus visits were decisive. “It was all about the visits and seeing what they have going on,” Cotton said after revealing her decision last week. She also reflected on the choices open to her, saying, “I knew I might have something down my path,” and, “A lot of people do not have those choices.”

Cotton made nine official visits during the recruitment process and narrowed her finalists to South Carolina, LSU, and Tennessee. She credited guidance from her parents Regine and Julius Cotton and from Cummings coach Donnie Davis for the instruction and recognition that elevated her profile. Davis praised her versatility and competitive record, saying, “These are big numbers,” he said. “That’s some pretty good stuff. . . Last year, she just went over the top.”

In college Cotton expects to focus on triple jump, long jump, and hurdles, effectively removing high jump from her competition slate at the next level. That shift will shape South Carolina’s event entries and leave Cummings local meets without one of the state’s premier multi event athletes.

For Alamance County the commitment underlines the county’s capacity to produce Division I talent and may prompt increased attention from college recruiters to local programs. Cotton’s progression from local meets to a major conference program also highlights the role of school coaching and family support in converting regional success into collegiate opportunities. As Cotton moves to compete in the Southeastern Conference, Cummings will look to younger athletes to fill the competitive void and carry forward the program’s recent momentum.