Southwest Louisiana began loading Division I college programs Wednesday when more than 15 athletes signed their National Letters of Intent.

At Barbe High School, Braden Comeaux signed to play baseball at Texas Christian while Shane Selman signed with McNeese State. Comeaux, an infielder, and Selman, an outfielder, were instrumental in the Bucs’ Class 5A state championship run during their junior season.

“I’ve been working my whole life toward this and it’s a big dream come true,” Comeaux said. “I had a feeling when I visited TCU that it was the right school for me. Education comes first and they provide a great opportunity for me there.”

“It’s a great feeling knowing that I get to keep playing baseball,” Selman said. “Whenever I met the coaching staff at McNeese I knew it was a great fit.”

Also at Barbe, all-American swimmer Zach Stump signed with Notre Dame. The two-time defending state champion in the 100-meter breaststroke will look for a third gold at the state swim meet later this month.

Sulphur pitcher Kale Breaux signed to play baseball at Mississippi State. The left-hander went 8-3 with a 1.05 ERA last season to earn Class 5A all-state honors.

In the summer, he helped Team USA win a gold medal at the Pan American Championships played in Mexico.

“I chose Mississippi State because the coaching staff is great and the fans there were awesome,” Breaux said. “They have one of the best fan bases in college baseball.

“Playing college baseball has been one of my dreams since I was a kid. I have been working towards that. I know I have to keep working and hopefully I will get drafted after my junior year.”

South Beauregard’s Class 3A all-state pitcher Nick Lee signed with Louisiana-Lafayette.

“This is awesome,” Lee said. “I’ve been looking forward to this day my whole life.”

Lee, a member of the USA Baseball Development Program, said he signed with the Ragin’ Cajuns after receiving offers from multiple state schools, including LSU. He finished 14-2 and pitched two one-hitters last season.

“Between the coaches, the facilities and the field, I loved everything about (ULL) when I was there,” Lee said. “I knew from the minute I got there that that’s where I wanted to be.”

Sam Houston outfielder Dayton Dugas signed with Wichita State over programs such as Oklahoma State and Texas A&M.

“It feels great,” Dugas said. “This is something I’ve always dreamed of doing and now it’s out of the way so I can focus on having a good senior season.

“This was the first school that I had scheduled for my official visit, and once I was there I knew that’s where I wanted to be,” Dugas said. “I’ve known (head coach) Todd Butler for a very long time and it just felt right.”

Butler played at McNeese State, where he later served as an assistant coach (1993-94) under current ULL head coach Tony Robichaux. Butler served as head coach at McNeese from 2001-03. He has also coached at Alabama and Arkansas.

Three of Dugas’ teammates — catcher Dustin Duhon, infielder Jake Cochran and outfielder Jacob Stracner — signed with McNeese.

“It feels great to finally make it official, all of the hard work has finally paid off,” Cochran said.

All three agreed that having familiar faces arrive at Cowboy Diamond with them was a major influence in their decision, but also attributed a lot to the coaching staff.

“It’s local and I have my friends there with me; this is going to be great,” Duhon said.

“At first I was leaning more towards Northwestern State, but when McNeese got new hitting coach (Roberto) Vaz, I liked what he was telling me,” Stracner said. “My friends going to McNeese also played a role, but coach Vaz was a big part of me choosing them.”

Duhon, also a standout on the football field, is awaiting word on whether he will have the opportunity to play both sports while at McNeese.

“If that opportunity comes across I will definitely have to think about it, but as of right now I don’t know,” Duhon said.

Softball player Taylor Edwards will also head to McNeese.

“It’s amazing,” Edwards said. “This was always my dream growing up and it’s been my number one goal. I really like the girls at McNeese; they are very welcoming.”

Edwards has won two state championships on the softball diamond and is a two-time American Press All-Southwest Louisiana selection.

In Kinder, a trio of athletes signed, including infielder Dylon Poncho who will join Lee at ULL.

Fellow Yellow Jacket Zach Rider signed with McNeese. Rider, who doubles as a pitcher and outfielder, was the Class 2A state MVP his junior season when he and Poncho led Kinder to the state championship.

Megan Trahan will join Edwards at McNeese in softball.

Anna Shaw of Lake Arthur was the only basketball player to sign on Wednesday, signing with McNeese.

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Staff writer Warren Arceneaux contributed to this story.(Rick Hickman/American Press)