One of Nansemond River High School’s brightest stars on the diamond fulfilled a dream and completed an epic family tradition at the same time this past week.

Warriors senior Kieton Rivers committed to attend and play baseball for Coastal Carolina University during a signing ceremony with family, friends and coaches present on Thursday at Nansemond River.

For Rivers, his vision for playing college ball has specifically featured Coastal Carolina for most of the last three years.

“It’s my No. 1 school, the dream I always wanted,” he said. “I mean, who doesn’t want to go to the beach and play baseball? All the hard work has finally paid off. It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Expanding on why being a Chanticleer was his top choice, Rivers said, “I always wanted to go to Coastal because of its environment, the area, Myrtle Beach, great baseball, they’re always playing the top competition.”

He had other options, and he said the University of Richmond was a school he was considering, but later he became confident Coastal Carolina would be his college home.

“It seemed like they really wanted me, and then we went and visited, visit went well, went down to the beach, spent some time on the beach,” he said. “Everything went well.”

His parents were on hand for the signing ceremony, and his father, Douglas Rivers shared what the day meant to him.

“It’s just a blessing,” he said. “This moment, he’s worked hard for it. He’s done all the right things.”

The elder Rivers praised Nansemond River’s coaches.

“They’ve mentored him, they’ve kept him in the right direction,” he said.

Warriors coach Mark Stuffel was happy for his star player, who was named Ironclad Conference baseball Player of the Year this past spring.

“It’s really exciting,” Stuffel said. “He’s well-deserving, he’s a phenomenal player. He’s going to a great school.”

Rivers’ mother, Benita Brown-Rivers said, “I am so excited that this day has finally arrived. Kieton is our last one, so I’m kind of like trying to soak it all in right now, but I’m so happy for him.”

Kieton’s signing with a Division I school to play baseball follows in the footsteps of his two older brothers who did so, as well. Tyren Rivers went to Radford University and Ombri Rivers went to the Virginia Military Institute. Both had played at Nansemond River.

“They’re all great players,” Stuffel said. “In my opinion, I think Kieton is the best one. I think he’s been able to listen to his brothers who have had the experience on what type of work it takes to be a big-time college player, and he’s worked, he’s worked really hard. He’s truly earned it.”

Stuffel said Rivers’ athletic ability makes it so he can play anywhere for the Chanticleers, but he thinks they will start him in the infield. He added Rivers’ biggest tool to help them will be his bat because “he’s very, very advanced at the plate.”

Rivers said he wants to major in the field of criminal justice.