Kinston’s Shiqwaun Dixon is heading to Chowan University, signing his letter of commitment Friday. Vikings coach Ryan Gieselman talked about his career in front of dozens of people who attended. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

Shiqwaun Dixon proved himself in high school and will look to do the same at the next level.

Dixon committed to Chowan University Friday in a signing at Kinston High School. The Vikings’ defensive back helped the team to their second-best start in school history, winning 12 straight games on the way to a third-round NCHSAA 2A playoff appearance.

Dixon said there were doubts early about his ability, but he put them all to rest on the field over the previous three years.

“I learned the value of hard work here, because without you can’t get any shine,” Dixon said. “People didn’t think I would be good enough to play for Kinston, but I wanted to prove them wrong and show what I could do. It was a great experience here and I’m ready to do the same thing for Chowan.”

Dixon plans to double major in business and biology at Chowan in an environment he felt was perfect for him.

“When I went to visit, I felt like it was a place that could help me get better,” Dixon said. “It’s a good Christian school, the coaches were great, and it’s going to be great for me on the field and the classroom.”

Kinston coach Ryan Gieselman said Dixon was a tremendous leader on and off the field.

“He’s athletically gifted, but he’s also a high-academic guy,” Gieselman said. “With our scheme, we run a lot of different things, and it allows the team’s athleticism to show. Shiqwaun was great as a leader and he helped take our defense to another level — he was rarely thrown against and when he did, he made great plays.”

Dixon’s father, D.C. Hart, said he couldn’t be prouder for his son.

“This was his dream for a long time — it was my dream too — and he was the one who made it happen,” Hart said. “I thank God for allowing him to do this.”

Wanda Greene, Dixon’s grandmother, said her grandson is her hero.

“He always told me he had a purpose,” Greene said. “He sat in the front of the class and worked hard in the classroom like he did playing football. One of the things I’ll always remember him telling me, especially when I was dealing with cancer, was ‘you have the spirit of a warrior and I have the same in me as your grandson.’ I knew he was going to be successful and I’m so proud of him.”