East Jessamine senior Emily Montgomery

Emily Montgomery (center) is pictured with her parents, Karen and Brian (seated); brother Allen (right); and East track coach Sylvester Turner (left). (Photo by Jonathan Stark/jstark@jessaminejournal.com / March 13, 2012)

East Jessamine senior and three-sport athlete Emily Montgomery signed a letter of intent with Limestone College last week.

“I believe that a door opened and I needed to take the opportunity, and I think that I’m right taking it and I’m excited about it,” Montgomery said of her college choice. “It’ll help me to grow stronger as a person.”

Montgomery — who plays soccer and runs track and cross-country — will continue her track and cross-country careers with the Saints next fall.

During her senior year, Montgomery competed at the state cross-country championship, where she placed 97th with a time of 23 minutes, 3.71 seconds.

“Cross-country comes a lot easier to me and track is a little harder, but I’ve been to state with both and I like both,” Montgomery said.

Montgomery competed at the track-and-field state championships as a junior. She was the third leg in East’s 4x800-meter relay team, which placed 11th with a time of 10:40.73.

“We as a track family do appreciate you allowing us to be a part of your life, which is a small part of your life, but it will be a part of your life for the rest of your life,” East Jessamine track coach Sylvester Turner said.

On the soccer pitch, Montgomery was a midfielder.

Limestone College is a small liberal-arts college in Gaffney, S.C. The Saints compete in the Division II level.

“(I’m looking forward to) making new friends and meeting new people and growing as a person and a runner, and (college) is a good stepping stone for my future,” Montgomery said.

She plans on studying athletic training or social work.