Richmond Hill standouts Thomas Zimbalatti and Avery Washington saw their hard work and dedication to their sport pay off last week when they signed contracts to continue their athletic careers at the next level.

Zimbalatti, a mountain of a man even as a freshman, is going to continue his football career at Murray State University which is a member of the ultra-competitive Missouri Valley Conference. 

Washington, a senior preparing for her fourth season as a starter in lacrosse , cast her lot with Piedmont University, a Division III school which plays in the USA South conference. Piedmont is located in Demorest, Ga.

The 6-foot-3, 330-pound Zimbalatti chose the Racers over several other schools and will now find himself playing against the cream of the crop at the FCS level. The MVC’s top teams are national champion North Dakota State, South Dakota State, South Dakota and Illinois State along with Indiana State. 

Murray State suffered through a 1-11 season last fall under first year coach Jody Wright but that did not deter Zimbalatti who is one of the top offensive linemen to ever suit up for the Wildcats.

Zimbalatti made his mark as a freshman when he started and was a first team all-region pick in Region 3-6A. The following season the Wildcats moved up to Class 7A and was placed in Region 1 with Lowndes County, Valdosta, Camden County and Colquitt County.

While his team struggled to gain its footing in what is considered the strongest region in the state, Zimbalatti continued to excel as he was again an all-region selection. He repeated the last two seasons and his play last fall was a major reason Richmond Hill led the region in rushing at 270.9 yards per game and senior running back Joshua Troupe was the second leading rusher in Class 6A with 1,399 yards.

Zimbalatti said his decision to go with the rebuilding Races was an easy one as it was based on relationships he had built with Wright and offensive line coach Adam Ross when they were at other schools.

“I’ve been to a lot of camps,” Zimbalatti said. “I met Coach Ross when I was in the eighth grade and he was at (University of) Richmond. I developed a relationship with him and followed his career.

“I met Coach Wright when I went to a camp at the University of South Carolina,” Zimbalatti said. “I fell in love with him. Really nice person and a good coach. I asked Coach (Matt) and Coach (Josh) Davis if they could reach out to him for me and they did. 

“I went up there (Murray) for a camp and the next thing you know I got an offer. I fell in love with the school and the campus.”

Wright was at South Carolina for two years before getting the Murray State job. He was with the New York Giants the previous three years. Ross was the offensive line coach at Richmond for seven years before going to Murray. He and Wright were teammates at Jacksonville State. 

“They’re getting a great person, a great kid and obviously a really good football player,” LeZotte said. “He was an all-region kid for us for four years in the toughest region in the state. I can’t say enough about what he’s done for us at Richmond Hill. A really hard worker who will get the job done.”

Zimbalatti said he will play guard at Murray which lost three starters off its offensive line and five off the two deep chart.

“I want to be a respected person, keep my head straight, keep working, be polite and make good grades,” said Zimbalatti of his expectations of himself. “They’re getting a guy who is a hard worker, who is not going to give up and someone who is going to be in shape when he gets up there.”

As a freshman and sophomore Washington had to play in the shadow of outstanding players such as Danielle Lester, Katelyn Miller, Ellas Pursley and her older sister Allie who is considered to be one of the finest all-around female athletes to play at Richmond Hill.

Last year she had 41 goals, second to freshman Kyler Tucker-Flynn’s 46 and with her 18 assists led the Wildcats in overall scoring. She also led the team in shots on goal (58) and draw percentage (0.833).

“My favorite thing about her is her tenacity,” Coach Megan McDonough said. “She never gives up, she never gets tired. She never wants to come out of the game. She has played nearly every minute of every game. I would be shocked if she’s missed more than an hour of play in her entire career..”

Washington, also a flag football standout, not only excels on the field but also in the classroom and academics, she said, is equally important.

“I have a goofy side, too,” Washington said. “But when it comes to the games, I’m serious. I think my skill level is high but I’ve kept my academics high, too. Making good grades at Piedmont will be as important as playing.

“I play hard, I’m a good defender, a good team player and leader,” Washington said. “Allie was a great role model for me.”

Allie Washington is currently playing lacrosse at Mercer. She was a starter in softball, flag football, soccer and lacrosse. In her four years, every team she played on made the state playoffs.