Hartselle High School senior Kaylon King realized an athlete’s dream on Friday when she signed a scholarship to play golf for Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tenn.

The event attracted a large crowd of coaches, teammates, fellow athletes and friends to the school cafeteria for the signing ceremony, which was highlighted by a standing ovation for the three-time state champion.

King has been a varsity golfer since she was in the seventh grade and played a key role in helping her team capture Class 1A-5A state championships for the past three years. In the 2011 state tournament, she finished eighth individually with an 18 over par 162 score.

“She caught my eye at a tournament in Nashville,” said Trevecca women’s golf coach Michael Johnson, “and after doing some research, I sensed she knows what it’s like to be a winner. She’s going to be a great addition to our team as well as our university.”

Johnson said Trevecca will move up from NAIA to Division II this year. It won its conference championship from 2003 through 2009 and competed recently in the NAIA national tournament. The team has one senior and four underclassmen entering the 2012 season.

“When I started playing golf it was for fun,” King said. “Then, as my game improved, I realized that if I continued to work hard I might become a candidate for a college scholarship. It’s awesome to know that a year from now I’ll be in Nashville playing golf for a great university.

“My teammates and I are close and support one another,” she added. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”

King said she will study music and business in college and is entertaining a future career in the music recording industry.

“Her work ethic is unbelievable,” said Hartselle High girls golf coach Gary Orr. “I tell all of my athletes that if they have talent and work hard enough, they can go on to bigger and better things. Kaylon is a good student and a good golfer. She will do well in college.”

“What sets Kaylon apart is her dedication,” said golf coach Chris Harder. “She’s the hardest-working athletes I’ve had the privilege to coach. I expect her to do well at the college level.”

“We’re excited,” said Charlie King, Kaylon’s father. “We’ve been looking forward to this since she was in the seventh grade. She’s had a lot of help and support from her coaches and teammates along the way.

“We’re thankful to them and for the opportunity we’ll have to see her play at the college level.”