POULSBO — Raelee Moore’s dream of signing with a Division I school finally came true, though not for the sport she originally imagined.

Moore, a four-year standout in both basketball and track at North Kitsap, always thought she would play hoops at the next level, but on Wednesday she accepted a hefty scholarship to Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee to be on the track and field team.

Moore is currently ranked seventh in 2A in the long jump and ninth in javelin, the two events she will almost certainly compete in at the next level. She is also part of the seventh-ranked 4×100 relay team and has at times been on the 4×200, which currently has 2A’s best time.

“I don’t really believe it to be honest,” Moore said. “It’s scary, in a good way. I’ve always wanted to sign at a Division I school.”

Lipscomb was not initially on her radar, but as she winnowed down the list of schools she wanted to attend, it kept popping up in her search and she finally reached out to the coach, who offered her a spot on the team after a visit.

“I loved Nashville, I loved the campus,” Moore said. “I knew it was meant to be.”

Her Signing Day was well-attended by friends, teammates and coaches from around the school. Even several members of North Kitsap’s softball team, which would clinch a league title later that afternoon, first had to make a stop in the NK commons to see her sign on the dotted line.

But she was demure when it was suggested the turnout was a reflection of her popularity.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Moore said with a chuckle. “But I do have a lot of people who support me and they all wanted to be a part of it.”

With her college plans all set, Moore can focus on the track and field postseason, which begins with the Olympic League sub district meet on May 11 at North Kitsap. The 2A West Central District II meet takes place the following weekend at Bremerton and the 2A state championships take place May 23-25 at Mount Tahoma.

Moore has twice qualified for state in the long jump, finishing eighth in 2017 and fifth in 2018. She also hopes to qualify in the javelin throw for the first time.

Mark Krulish is a reporter for Kitsap News Group. He can be reached at mkrulish@soundpublishing.com. Follow him on Twitter @MKrulishKDN.