Wednesday was national signing day for high school athletes across the country, and plenty of competitors who call Lawrence home got in on the act.

Although their signings might not merit the same kind of attention as that of five-star phenom Dillon Baxter — the country’s No. 1-ranked running back who hails from San Diego and was scheduled to sign with USC — around here they were a pretty big deal.

Both Lawrence High and Free State High hosted signing ceremonies throughout the day Wednesday.

The Free State High football program kicked things off with an early-morning signing for six Firebirds.

Quarterback Camren Torneden and lineman Michael Lisher inked with Div. II Nebraska-Omaha, while Kirk Resseguie (Missouri Western), Connor Stremel (Baker), Aundre Allen (Baker) and Stephen Jordan (Ottawa) joined them among a sea of green and white, friends, faculty and proud parents.

Later in the day, the scene shifted to the Free State High library, where soccer standouts Daniel Chance and Hannah Carlson made their commitments official. Chance signed with Kansas Wesleyan, and Carlson signed with Emporia State.

The Lawrence High football program also hosted a signing on Wednesday, but at LHS, senior Taylor Coleman had the spotlight all to himself.

Coleman, a captain and two-way starter for the Lions during the 2009 season, signed with Coffeyville Community College.