Ogden High’s Bella Gray signs to play with Ole Miss women’s soccer
Tiger set to become Rebel
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- Ogden High senior Bella Gray, center, joined by her parents, reveals her signed letter of intent to play soccer at the University of Mississippi during a ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Ogden High School.
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- Ogden High senior Bella Gray speaks during a ceremony for her to sign to play soccer at the University of Mississippi during a ceremony Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Ogden High School.
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- Ogden High senior Bella Gray (middle), joined by her parents, signs her letter of intent to play soccer at the University of Mississippi during a signing ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Ogden High School.
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- Ogden High senior Bella Gray (middle), joined by her parents, signs her letter of intent to play soccer at the University of Mississippi during a signing ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Ogden High School.
OGDEN — Ogden High senior Bella Gray signed an official letter of intent to continue her soccer career at the University of Mississippi during a ceremony held Wednesday evening with family, coaches and teammates in Ogden’s main gymnasium.
Gray missed the majority of her senior season recovering from a torn labrum (hip), but managed a late return in time for the postseason. In late October, Bella and her younger sister, sophomore Sofia Gray, contributed to the Tigers’ runner-up finish vs. Morgan in the 3A state championship.
Signing day represents a full-circle accomplishment of recovery and return, Gray said.
“It’s been a dream of mine,” Gray said. “I love soccer so much and I think, even over my injury, it made me realize how much I just couldn’t not have it in my life. … That really made me realize I wanted to keep playing and play at such a high level.”
During her prep career, Gray recorded 28 total goals and 19 assists as a three-time Standard-Examiner All-Area midfielder. Additionally, Gray trained with the U.S. national team and later competed with El Salvador’s U17 World Cup team.
Gray settled on Ole Miss over competing interest from Gonzaga, Alabama and Clemson following a visit to Oxford alongside her father, Donnie, last fall. The Ogden senior said the defining factor was which place felt more like home.
“People say that all the time, but I mean it,” Gray said. “That southern hospitality really got to me. I went back again about a month ago for an unofficial visit and it was the same thing — the people were super sweet and I knew I was going to be just fine moving away so far from family.”
Gray plans to study business marketing and psychology, and to compete professionally after school.
Connect with prep sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.
