Among the more notable occurrences on this day was a state first - as Frank Price II of Holly Springs High became the first boys lacrosse player from North Carolina to sign with the University of Virginia.

The Cavaliers are a lacrosse powerhouse, having won three of the past eight NCAA championships in the sport.

"It means a lot. This moment was made by the people who surround you. My family - my grandparents showed up last night all the way from New York to surprise me," Price said. "All of them made this moment really special for me."

Price was named to the all-state team as both a sophomore and junior and is a rarity in that he didn't play lacrosse until moving to North Carolina in the fourth grade from New York.

Because opportunities in lacrosse aren't as prevalent in the state as other sports, Price said he was surprised when UVA came calling.

"By that time I had to drive half an hour to Raleigh for practice," Price said of his younger lacrosse-playing days. "I still find it hard to believe a school like Virginia, a top-five program in Division I, would find a small-town player like me out in Holly Springs."

There was also a program first - as Kristine Rishel became the first girls basketball player from Middle Creek to accept a scholarship to play in college.

Rishel will be playing for Winthrop (S.C.) University next year.

Apex had the most signees on the day, as seven Cougar athletes made their plans for next year official. Among them was 2009 Tri-Nine cross country champion Kersie Jhabvala, who signed with the University of Penn.

Apex also boasted a top golfer in both girls and boys golf, as Michelle Pilo signed with University of South Florida and Andy Knox signed with UNC-Greensboro.

Rounding out the Apex signees were Natalie Klemann (softball, UNC-Pembroke), Ross Whitehead (boys lacrosse, VMI), Angela Funari (girls soccer, Elon) and Christi Kaznowski (girls soccer, Western Carolina).

Cary Academy had two signees. Chargers baseball standout Brandon Wilson will play for Campbell while MacKenzie Larsen - a member of the 30-1 Cary Academy volleyball team - will play for Lafayette.

Like Apex, Green Hope also had two golf signees, as 2009 state champion Michael Cromie signed with the University of Georgia.

"The moment I stepped foot on Georgia's campus, I knew I wanted to go there," Cromie said. "It's a dream come true. I'm very excited and can't wait to go down there."

The Falcons' top girl golfer, Andrea Estes, will join her sister Colleen at East Carolina. Colleen already plays golf for the Pirates,and the two will have one season together next year with Andrea a freshman and Colleen a senior.

"I'll be playing with her for one year," Andrea said. "We actually played one year in high school so it'll be the same experience but a higher level."