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Patience paid off for two Naples High School athletes Monday when they announced their plans to play their sports collegiately.

Golden Eagles track and field athlete Quin Scott and baseball player Jordan Zech waited well after graduation to make their college choice, largely because they were too busy with spring sports then final exams to make recruiting trips. But the wait was worth it.

Scott, a discus and shot put thrower, received a partial scholarship to attend Winthrop, a NCAA Division I university in Rock Hill, S.C. Zech, centerfielder for district champion Naples, earned a full scholarship to Central Florida Community College in Ocala.

After finishing sixth in the discus at the Class 3A state finals as a junior, Scott returned this spring to finish fourth in the event. She also placed ninth in the shot put at state.

If Scott continues to show the type of improvement she showed this season, Eagles coach Mary Beth Watkins said, she'll be a big contributor for Winthrop.

“She really started to come out the past two years,” Watkins said. “She's just beginning to tap into her potential. I know she'll continue to excel. There's no way she's reached her max.”

Winthrop – whose mascot also is the Eagles – recruited Scott throughout her senior year, but the Naples standout wasn't able to visit the school until after the season ended. When Scott heads to Rock Hill in the fall, Watkins said she'd like to see her continue to work on the shot put and maybe learn the hammer throw.

“She's really worked on her technique,” Scott's coach said. “There are some things she knows she needs to do, but it's not all clicking. It's just a matter of it all coming together.”

Like Scott, Zech's college decision was delayed by his team's postseason run. The Golden Eagles won the District 4A-12 tournament, then advanced to the regional semifinals before falling to Riverdale.

After a breakout sophomore season in which he hit .400 for Naples, Zech's average dropped to .286 as a junior and .291 this past season. While his numbers were solid as a senior – 18 runs, 11 RBI, 12 stolen bases – they didn't get him looks from bigger colleges.

So Zech had to do his own legwork. With the help from coaches Jeff Smith and John Cedarburg, as well as family friends Brian Leith and Bryan Smith, Zech contacted several schools and earned a tryout with Central Florida Community College.

Zech chose the Patriots after Coach Marty Smith offered a full scholarship. The former Naples player passed on offers from Florida Community College in Jacksonville, Piedmont College in Georgia and North Carolina Wesleyan.

“The (Patriot) coaches told me if I go in there and get my bat going I could start,” Zech said. “I want to get better at all my fundamentals so I can succeed at the next level.”