Trinity Episcopal’s Dee Fleming is right on track.

After pondering a full plate of athletic opportunities, the senior Saint has committed to compete in track and field at the University of Mississippi.

Fleming, a standout long and triple jumper, has faced a difficult choice for quite some time. A knee injury cost him a good deal of his final campaign on the football field, yet Fleming’s options were still wide open.

“I just tried to stay humble and focused through the whole thing,” he said. “I put my trust in God, because I didn’t know. I wanted to stay level-headed.”

Fleming’s final decision came, he said, on a whim.

“I emailed so many schools,” he said. “If you can think of a school I probably contacted them. I basically just emailed Ole Miss and they said they were interested. They called me one day and wanted me to come up for a visit.”

Fleming went for an official visit to Ole Miss in mid-March, which he said was instant bliss.

“I fell in love with it,” he said. “Everything about it.”

Ole Miss should find Fleming to be a great asset as the senior won individual state titles in the triple and long jumps at last year’s MAIS Class AA State Championships. He set a state record for the long jump and was also on the state title team for the 4×100 and 4×200 meter relays.

“I may run something, too, depending on what they have and what the situation is,” Fleming said.

With the opportunity to compete, Fleming also said he knew Ole Miss was a good fit academically.

“No matter what happens with track, I am graduating from Ole Miss,” he said. “I am going to get my degree whatever way I have to.”

The relief Fleming said he has felt since the decision is insurmountable.

“Everything is set in stone now,” he said. “I have no regrets.”

Fleming said while he was still debating his options, he wanted to keep his family in mind. He will be the first in his immediate family to attend college.

“LSU was always my dream school, and I got accepted there,” he said. “For a long time I just said I was just going to go to school. My parents were behind me whatever I decided. They just wanted what was best for me.”

Additionally, Fleming noted he didn’t think everything would work out without his own determination to continue his athletic career.

“A lot of people think that it’s on their coach to reach out, but really you have to take it upon yourself,” Fleming said. “That’s what I did.

“To me, it doesn’t matter what sport I play. Football is my heart, but if I’m getting to go to school for cheap and play sports then I’m good.”

What ultimately sold Fleming on the Rebels, he said, was the bond he quickly created with coaches and players. He also had offers from Millsaps College, as well as potential interest from Jones County Community College.

Ole Miss has offered Fleming a partial scholarship for track and field.

“I ended making such good connections,” he said. “I know I’ll like it, and I know everything will be fine.

“I’m just glad it all fell into place. Hotty Toddy it is.”