Record-breaking D1 signee headlines Loy Norrix signing day for 11 college-bound athletes

It also earned him a Division-I scholarship. After breaking a 50-year high jump record at 6-foot-10 earlier this spring, Motton headlined a Loy Norrix signing day celebration Wednesday afternoon that honored 11 college-bound Knights athletes in front of friends, family and coaches inside the school’s auditorium. “That day was special,” Motton said. “I didn’t really expect to come out and jump that high. It’s really special to me to leave high school with a 50-year record.” Motton’s record-breaking high jump of 6-feet, 10-inches was done at Eastern Michigan’s Huron Relays on March 21 — a jump that not only left him amazed, but EMU track coaches as well. “I’m really grateful for all of it and I feel so happy that it’s led to this,” he said. Motton was part of a Loy Norrix class that left their legacy — both in the record books and in the trophy cases. Several athletes helped reshape the trajectory of multiple programs, including steering the boys basketball team to its first district championship since 2015, along with the football program’s first winning season this century. The Knights’ girls swimming and diving program also posted a perfect 60-0 dual-meet record across six years. “It’s the women’s swimming and diving team and not losing the entire time they were here and it’s the school records, one of them being set by Jaylind Motton,” Loy Norrix athletic director Andrew Laboe said. “It’s things like the district basketball championship — those are the things that stick out and this class was a part of accomplishing that. “They’re a nice group of young people that are respectful and fun to be around on a regular basis. It’s a good group to go out with.” Laboe, who is set to retire following the 2025-26 school year, said this year’s class was determined to change the narrative around Loy Norrix athletics. “They were hungry,” he said. “Getting that district title in basketball really helped give them some confidence. It’s been special to see our teams go through some hard times and now are rewarded for their efforts.” Loy Norrix had each student sign their respective collegiate flag, which will then be strung back up in the high school’s trophy case for an implementation of athletic legacy. Each year, new ink is applied. Of the 11 signees, four are football players, two are baseball players, one diver, one swimmer, one bowler, one track and field athlete and one football player. Check out all the future athletes from Loy Norrix’s 2026 graduating class below.