PICKENS — Pickens High School cross-country and track athlete Becky Tarone signed earlier this month to continue her academic and athletic career at Southern Wesleyan University.

Becky Tarone was joined by her mother, Theresa Wood, and father, Tony Tarone, when she signed her letter of intent earlier this month to run track and cross-country at SWU.

Tarone said she is excited to continue doing what she loves while getting an opportunity to continue her education.

Tarone’s decision to attend Southern Wesleyan was based on the environment at the school.

“It was so inviting, and the people made it feel like home,” she said.

“Becky Tarone is a one-of-a-kind athlete — she works hard, has a positive attitude and is always a respectful role model whose quirkiness charms everyone she meets,” Pickens girls’ track coach Lauren Carlisle said. “I have had the pleasure of coaching her since middle school and I taught her in social studies when she was in 10th grade.

“Every season until this one, she just missed making state qualifier, but this year as a senior, she finally qualified for this prestigious event. So far this season she has dropped about 4 seconds in her 400 meter hurdle time, leaving her with a time of 1:12.91.”