On Wednesday morning, Feb. 5, the second-largest signing class is school history inked national letters of intent in front of family, friends, faculty and staff in Mount Vernon's Upper School Gymnasium.
"Our 2020 class carries on the tradition of Mount Vernon student-athletes continuing their athletic careers at colleges and universities across the country," Athletic Director Brad Dehem said. "Their dedication and hard work to being incredible athletes and great teammates has put them in this position, and we are so thankful and proud of these Mustangs!"
Below is a list of signees, including their accomplishments while a student at Mount Vernon.
Nate Anderson - Baseball - University of New Orleans
Number of years at Mount Vernon: 12
Awards: 2018 and 2019 Perfect Game Preseason Underclass All-American, 2018 and 2019 First Team All-Region, 2019 First Team All-State and 2020 First Team Pre-season All-State.
Jackson Denney - Baseball - Washington and Jefferson
Number of years at Mount Vernon: 4
Awards: London Mets 2015 Player of the Year, 643 15-U Tigers 2017 Pitcher of the Year, 17-time Perfect Game ALl-Tournament Team in 2017 and 2019, 2019 National Academic Showcase Top Prospect Team.
Jonathan Hammond - Football - Davidson College
Number of years at Mount Vernon: 8
Awards: First Team All-Region Football (Jr.), GACA All-State (Jr.), 3rd in State Wrestling (Jr.), Region 5-1A Co-Defensive Football Player of Year (Sr.), First Team Recruit GA All-State (Sr.), AJC Class-A Private Defensive Player of the Year (Sr.)
Ben Koch - Baseball - Augusta University
Number of years at Mount Vernon: 10
Awards: 2019 WWBA World Championship All-Tournament Team (Jupiter, FL), 17U National Championship All-Tournament Team (Cartersville, GA), Elite Upper Class Championship All-Tournament Team (Marietta, GA).
Jake Kephart - Golf - Georgia State University
Number of years at Mount Vernon: 4
Awards: Tennessee State Champion (twice), T-1 Regionals at Mount Vernon, Qualified for GA State Junior Amateur as a sophomore and junior, Qualified for AJGA Tournament (finished 6th overall), 1st Place at Callaway United States Junior Championship, 1st Place PGA Junior Championship at East Lake, 3rd Place Hurricane National Championship Junior Tour.
Jack Palmer - Lacrosse - Vassar College
Number of years at Mount Vernon: 8
Awards: Mount Vernon MVP (Fr.), Mount Vernon Defensive MVP (So. and Jr.), Co-Captain (Fr., So., and Jr.), Selected to play on Thunder National Team in 2018.
Alex Thomas - Baseball - Tufts University
Years at Mount Vernon: 12
Awards: All-Region Honorable Mention (Jr.), Coached 17U East Cobb Patriots (Summer 2019).
Alex VanLandingham - Baseball - New York University
Years at Mount Vernon: 7
Awards: 2019 All-Region Second Team (Football), 2018 and 2019 All-Region First Team (Baseball), Perfect Game Top 500 Player Nationally, 2019 Rawlings Perfect Game Pre-season Underclass All-American, 2018 and 2019 Perfect Game Top Prospect List.
Check Mount Vernon's Athletic YouTube page at
Click Here
for more footage of Signing Day.The Mount Vernon Athletic Department strives to build the student-athlete by providing a five-star experience built on community, courage, development, hospitality and professionalism. As a school of inquiry, innovation and impact grounded in Christian values, we prepare all students to be college-ready, globally competitive, and engaged citizen leaders. For more information on Mount Vernon athletics, visit www.mountvernonathletics.com and follow @MV_Athletics on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news on the Mustangs.
