Cagan finds perfect fit for college

By EMILY NIPPS
Published May 6, 2005

BROOKSVILLE - When Nature Coast Tech guard Cara Cagan began looking at college possibilities, she had a few requirements in mind.

She wanted to stay as close to her family as possible. She wanted a fairly small class size. And she wanted to feel comfortable, possibly in a Christian environment.

There was one other thing, but Cagan wasn't sure how well it would work out. She wanted to play in college.

"It's always been a dream of mine," Cagan said. "But I didn't know if I'd actually get to do it."

On Tuesday, Cagan felt confident she found the perfect fit. She signed a letter of intent with Southeastern University, a four-year Christian liberal arts college in Lakeland, as her parents, sister and coaches looked on.

Cagan will join her older brother, Jonathon, who attends Southeastern, but insisted she wasn't just "following in his footsteps." The 5-foot-10 senior fell in love with the school's campus, coach and players when she visited the college earlier this year.

The Southeastern Fire, which plays in the National Christian College Athletic Association, was ranked fifth in the nation last season and has won two straight South Region Championships. The Fire is exploring the possibly of moving into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) or NCAA Division III in the near future, said Fire coach Ed Plastow.

Cagan, who helped the Sharks to a 26-3 record and Class 3A region semifinal appearance this past season, averaged 10 points and five rebounds over the past two years. She made 103 3-pointers during her junior and senior seasons and was a 2005 Times All-Citrus/Hernando second-team selection.

[Last modified May 6, 2005, 00:38:16]