National signing day takes place in the Valley

Wednesday, Feb. 1, was a day of celebration for many athletes in the Valley as they signed and faxed in their Letters of Intent to various colleges and universities around the nation. Many high schools and one training facility held signing events to mark this momentous occasion. In this issue, we bring you coverage of many of those signings and some notes for the stories behind the decisions.

National Signing Day has become a cultural phenomenon involving college coaches, student-athletes, and their families, and the media. This is the first day that a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of Intent (NLI) with an NCAA school. It is usually the first Wed. in Feb. for football, field hockey, cross-country, soccer, men’s water polo, and track and field.

The NLI adds certainty to the recruiting process: coaches get a commitment from athletes to attend their school and athletes get a commitment from the school to receive financial aid. In addition, all participating NCAA schools are forbidden to further recruit an athlete who has signed an NLI.

A verbal commitment, on the other hand, is a less formal non-binding commitment; recruits may revoke or change a verbal commitment at any time and coaches may continue to recruit that athlete. In other words, until an athlete signs their NLI, they’re fair game in the recruiting process. Programs and coaches compete aggressively with one another for the athletes’ commitments. Loyal fans’ expectations add another dimension of pressure to the process.

Only 2 percent of the 1.2 million high school football athletes, for example, will earn an athletic scholarship. Ninety percent of the $1.5 billion dollars available in athletic scholarships is outside of the NCAA D1 level. The odds are small and the competition is stiff, especially at the highest levels.

This is the most important decision a 17 or 18-year-old could make, affecting their next four years and, potentially, the course of their lives. The stakes are high – a college scholarship can be worth $200,000 or more – and the pressure is grueling. Recruiting services and media (with their rankings and comparisons) add additional pressure and exposure to the process.

It is not a perfect process. Ethics in recruiting has been a highly-publicized issue (e.g., USC/Reggie Bush, OJ Mayo, et al.). Less publicized, attrition is a big concern: a recent AP report analyzing recruited freshman classes from 5 years ago stated that only 48 percent of the recruits were at their original college as seniors; a very small but growing percentage opting to leave early to go pro, and many more leaving for other reasons. But the process continues year after year.

Some recruits wait for a word from their dream school; some hope for interest from any school; others are inundated with phone calls and e-mails from multiple schools. Many factors affect a recruit’s decision and many make official and unofficial visits to get a feel for the schools, surrounding environment, program, coaches, and players. Some make a verbal commitment and then change their minds due to coaching changes, family situations, and favorable visits to other schools.

It is a difficult process as all will attest, and there is a sense of relief as well as a joyous celebration when this day finally comes – a celebration well-deserved for their academic/athletic accomplishments and for surviving the process.

Wed., Feb. 1, was that day. Valley News is proud to recognize and congratulate these student-athletes!

Temescal Canyon

Ashtynn Nelson

Water Polo

Highlights: Varsity Water Polo (4 yrs); Varsity Swimming (3 yrs); 1st Team Al-league, 1st Team All-CIF, Div 5 CIF Champion, USA National Youth Team, LEUSD Student of the Month

College: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles

Kayla Tucker

Soccer

Highlights: 4-yr varsity starter; 1st Team All-League, 1st Team All-Valley, All-CIF, ESPN Player of the Week

College: Boise State

Temescal Canyon School held its signing for two student-athletes at noon on Feb. 1 in the Principal’s Conference Room. Parents and friends joined Principal Errol Garnett, and Coaches Damian Andrews, Jessica Nelson and David Cox in the celebration.

Murrieta Valley

Wade Hamilton

Soccer Goalie

Highlights: U17 World Cup Team, IMG Academy/Residency Program, Ranked #22 (TopDrawerSocccer.com, #28 (ESPNHS), #38 (CollegeSoccerNews.com), NSCAA All-America Team, SoCal ODP, Arsenal FC in 2009 at the Manchester United Premier Cup and Torneo Internazionale de calico (Pordenone, Italy)

College: California Polytechnic at San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly)

Verballed July 2011 to Cal Poly. Cal Poly’s roster includes other locals: Dakota Collins (Great Oak grad transferred from UCLA), Keegan Smith (TVHS), and Connor Dreschler (Great Oak). "Wade is one of the best young goalkeepers in the nation and his experience with the U-17 national team during the last two years has elevated his game," Head Coach Paul Holocher said. "He will be an outstanding player and leader for the Cal Poly program over the coming years."

Carson Dukes

Soccer GoalKeeper

Highlights: All-League, All-League Defensive MVP, 1st Team All-Valley, ESPN Rise Top 150, 4-Star Recruit (TopDrawerSoccer.com)

College: Ohio State (Buckeyes)

Allyn "Bones" Abadie

Soccer Midfielder

Highlights: SD Surf, State Cup Champion, Nighthawk Award, 3.95 GPA

College: Nova Southeastern University, Florida

Plans to major in Physical Therapy/Athletic Training

Dana Backlund

Volleyball Setter/OH

Highlights: All-League, All-Valley, All-CIF, Frosh 59, Soph 79, Nfinity Top 50, #43 Senior Aces (PrepVolleyball.com), 3.765 GPA

College: University of Florida (Gators)

Dana has wanted to be a Gator since she was a toddler in Gator jammies and committed in July 2010 before her junior year. Her father, Andy, was also a Gator. Florida Head Coach Mary Wise said,"Backlund is a double threat…has 465 assists…122 kills…junior season registered 245 kills…has the potential to make a great impact on our program."

Noah Johnson

Football Defensive Linebacker

Highlights: 1st Team All-Valley, 1st Team All-League, Sacks Leader (8), All-Area DL

College: CSU Sacramento (Hornets)

Temecula Valley

Olivia Thompson

Basketball Guard

Highlights: 1st team All-League, All-Area

College: The Master’s College

"It’s close to home, has my major, and a team that I can play for." The Mustangs have been to the NAIA National Tournament seven times since 1999.

Jordan Francescon

Soccer Forward

Highlights: Surf ECNL National Champions, multi-year All-League, All-Valley, Southwestern League Offensive MVP, 1st Team All-CIF, One of area’s top scorers; also lettered on the track team.

College: Benedictine College (Kansas)

Her sister, Hannah, is a senior at Benedictine and is on the soccer and track teams.

Prodigy Football Camp

Over 250 people – friends, family, coaches, fellow players, and aspiring athletes – filled the Prodigy Athletes’ gym to celebrate the signings of ten student-athletes.

Its walls are decorated with ½-size figures of the dozens of athletes in various sports who have trained there and who have received scholarships to play at the next level. Schools include University of Hawaii, San Jose State, UCLA, University of Utah, University of Arizona, Arizona State University, BYU, Clemson, Pacific University, San Diego State, UC Santa Barbara, and many others.

Master trainer and Prodigy Athletes founder, Coach Troy Keali’i Lau said, "We train to execute like it’s game time and all these athletes have proven themselves. It is difficult to make such a tough decision at such a young age – the process is brutal. But now is the time to celebrate!"

Lau first introduced underclassmen with offers and verbal commitments: Mo Mercado, softball player from Great Oak High School is committed to the University of Arizona; Shawn Dowling, a top-rated strong safety from Fallbrook High School is committed to University of Colorado. Also introduced were Danica Mercado of Great Oak High School (softball) who signed with the University of Oregon and Jessica "Juice" Tetzlaff of Murrieta Valley High School who signed with UC Santa Barbara also to play softball.

Ex-NFL quarterback and Rose Bowl MVP, Billy Joe Hobert, spoke on the realities – good and bad – of the recruiting process and attrition.

"Recruiting can be a dirty business, especially when multiple schools are involved. It takes strength and courage and perseverance to make the hard decisions – to explore all your options – especially under unfair recruiting practices." He spoke on attrition: "The first year will be the toughest in your young life. You leave an incredible support system – where you have people who love you for who you are, make your food, do your laundry, support your activities – to a place where you are expected to be adults worthy of being on your own in an environment where people value you for what you can do for them and where you can only rely on yourself. Many are not ready for that and so lots of freshmen leave in Oct. and after the first semester." He also gave some advice: "Enjoy your family every opportunity you can and don’t be afraid of who you are and who you want to be."

The event ended with a recitation of "The Champion’s Prayer," led by the new recruits and a huge potluck celebration.

Prodigy Athletes is a non-profit that provides high-performance sports training, Nike-certified Sparq testing, home schooling programs, and college recruiting services. They are located at 27310 Madison Avenue in Temecula, (951) 375-8180,

www.prodigyathletes.com.

Aaron Piecukonis

Vista Murrieta

Football Running Back

Highlights: Lead RB on CIF-SS Champion team, #2 in the state; 20 yds/catch

Interested: Eastern Oregon, Minnesota, Menlo College

College: Undecided

"I’m comfortable with time to make the right decision."

Cody Piecukonis

Vista Murrieta

Football Wide receiver, returner

Highlights: Lead WR on CIF-SS Champion team, #2 in the state

Interested: Eastern Oregon, Minnesota, Menlo College

College: Undecided

"We’re not only twins, we’re close as friends and we want to go to the same school together." Their father says, "I’m just grateful they want to be together; they eat, train, play together, and they compete in everything with one another." Coach Levi Suiaunoa (Eastern Oregon) has expressed interest in both brothers.

Kason Kennedy

Temecula Valley

Football Running Back

Highlights: #1 rusher in the Southwestern League in 2010 with over 1500 yards, 3.6 GPA

Interested: Occidental, Wagner, Bimidji State, University of Redlands, Chapman University

College: Undecided

"I want to major in kinesiology, sports management, or communications." His father, Kirk Kennedy, says, "The recruiting process started in his junior year and we had a lot of interest, especially after the great year he had rushing; a back injury just destroyed his senior year. But he’s back and ready to go and we’re hoping somebody recognizes the potential."

CJ Dozier

Chaparral

Football Linebacker, Safety

Highlights: 3 yr. Varsity starter, listed as one of top linebackers in the nation, PrepStar All-West, All-League, All- CIF, 3.9 GPA

Interested: Every Pac-12 school, New Mexico, Colorado

College: University of Arizona

CJ had originally committed to Arizona State but re-opened his availability when Coach Erickson was fired in December; he graduated early and is currently enrolled at the University of Arizona. "This is an easier adjustment and not an overload."

Anthony "Chief" Goodwin

Great Oak High School/Mt. Sac

Football Defensive Back

Highlights: 1st Team All-League with 5-time JC National Champion

Interested: Colorado State, San Jose State, Washington, UCLA, Fresno

College: University of Montana

Chief injured his knee his senior year at Great Oak, accepted a 50/50 scholarship to play Division 2 football at Upper Iowa State, but walked away from a full scholarship because he believed he could play Division I ball.

Richard Blackmon

California Military Institute

Football Safety/Wide receiver

Highlights: 35 touchdowns, 6 interceptions

Interested: University of Northern Texas, Idaho State

College: Undecided

Since CMI has never had a D1 athlete before, the NCAA needs to clear CMI’s academic credentials and certify the school’s courses as acceptable. Pending that, schools will be able to officially extend an offer. Dad’s advice to other parents: "Make sure you get as much video as possible."

Teddy Queen

Chaparral

Football Defensive End

Highlights: #7 DE in SoCal (Rivals.com), All-League, Defensive MVP

Interested: University of Nevada, Colorado, Colorado State, San Diego State

College: San Diego State

"The coaches are very good; there is a lot of pride in the school programs and I like being closer to home."

Sapule Ta’amil

Vista Murrieta

Football Offensive/Defensive Linebacker

Highlights: All-League, All-CIF

Interested: New Mexico State, Southern Utah, Sacramento State, Cal Poly, University of Montana

College: Sacramento State

"It felt good up there and I will be close to family." Vista Murrieta DL Coach, Frank Carido, said of Sapule: "Here is a success story of perseverance and determination. He didn’t play for us sophomore year, he overcame physical ailments, and he was instrumental to our success this year and was named All-CIF."

Beau Boyster

Temecula Valley/St John Bosco (Bellflower)

Football Offensive Linebacker

Highlights: PrepStar All-American, Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team, ESPN LA Preps First-Team, "Best offensive line recruit" (azstarnet.com), 4.0 GPA

Interested: University of Oregon, Oregon State, University of Nevada, TCU, Arizona

College: University of Arizona

This is a story of family sacrifice. His parents recognized a need for their only child to be in a more challenging environment and so they moved in Beau’s sophomore year – sold their home, moved their possessions into storage, and rented an apartment for two years.

Jeremy Castro

Vista Murrieta

Football Defensive End/OLB

Highlights: Four-Star Recruit: #17 recruit in the country (Rivals); #21 (Scout.com)

Interested: All Pac-12 schools, Oklahoma, Clemson, Iowa State, LSU, Mississippi

College: UCLA

Jeremy first committed to University of Washington, then to University of Oregon but in the end chose UCLA, saying "A new coaching staff with an ex-NFL coach gives us an opportunity to start new traditions."

Vista Murrieta

Sierra Romero

Softball SS/2nd Base

Highlights: All-CIF First Team, CalHi Sports First Team, MaxPreps All-American

College: University of Michigan

"I liked the environment, the staff, and the good group of girls that I know. UCLA was my second choice."

Her parents, Melissa and Michael, were excited and stated, "This means everything! She has worked so hard since age 4 and has sacrificed so much personally and academically. She is the first grandchild to go to college and she is an excellent role model to her two younger sisters and brother. She saved us $50,000 a year that we don’t have. She had so many offers, but looked at five. She verbalized as a sophomore to the University of Michigan." Her younger sister, Sydney, is a freshman infielder and has already verbalized to the University of Oklahoma.

Jeremy Castro

Football DE/LB

Highlights: All-League, All-CIF, CIF Defensive MVP, one of the top DE recruits in the nation

Interested: all Pac-12 schools, LSU, Mississippi, Clemson, Oklahoma, Iowa State

College: University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)

Jeremy had verbalized to Washington State last summer, University of Oregon in November."I felt really comfortable with UCLA: new coaches, and an NFL coach (Jim Mora) who knows what it takes at the next level. Something good is going to happen there and I get to be part of starting a new tradition." "The proximity to his family support system was important," said Coach Candaele. "And he is comfortable with the Southern California environment he grew up in."

Corey Whitaker

Football Offensive Linebacker

Highlights: All-League, All- CIF three years

Interested: San Jose State, University of Nevada at Reno, Nebraska, San Diego State

College: University of Nebraska

"We’re really ecstatic!" said Tammy Reisdorf (Corey’s mom). "It’s a pretty exciting time. He visited all four schools and fell in love with Nebraska and verbalized right away." "Everything was top-of-the-line," said Corey. "They have a great home crowd advantage and I get a chance to compete for a starting position right away." His little brother was waving a placard saying, "I want to be a Husker, too!"

Jacob Dexter

Football OL/DL

Highlights: Master of Sports Award

College: Western New Mexico University

"It’s a small town and I can’t get into trouble. I really liked the players and coaches. They want me to play both ways, but I prefer D-line."

Randy Perez

Football Defensive Back

Highlights: All-League, All-Valley, All -CIF

College: Western New Mexico University

This was my only offer, but I felt really comfortable with them. They played thirteen freshmen last year, so I may redshirt my first year."

Erika Reddish

Cross-Country/Track and Field

Highlights: CIF-SS Div I Track Champion, CIF-SS Cross-Country Champion, ESPN Rise #1

Interested: Syracuse, University of Arizona, Brigham Young University (BYU)

College: BYU

"I visited all three and just knew that BYU was the place for me."

Nikaela Hernandez

Cross-Country/Track and Field

Highlights: 1st Team All-Valley, #22 in D1 State Meet, #8 IE Challenge

College: California State University at San Marcos

"I looked at five other schools and really liked the coach and the program."

Maria Hurtado

Cross-Country/Track and Field

Highlights: #10 CIF-SS Cross-Country prelims, 5th (1600m) and 7th (3200m) Adidas Meet of Champions 2011, 2nd Team All-Valley

College: Sonoma State University

"It was a good fit for me."

Sapule Ta’amilo

Football OL/DL

Highlights: All-League, All- CIF First Team

Interested: New Mexico State, Southern Utah, Cal Poly, Sacramento State

College: Sacramento State University

"I felt very comfortable up there and I have family up there (my dad’s sisters). There is an opening at center and I get a chance to work my tail off for that spot."

Ed (Sapule’s Dad) was just glad the recruiting process is over. "It’s so stressful and the uncertainty…we didn’t want to influence his decision and we didn’t want family to be a distraction. It seems like just yesterday he was watching cartoons…The Vista Murrieta family and experience has been awesome."

Riley Leming

Girls Golf

Highlights: Multi-year All-League, All-Valley 1st Team, CIF Individual Championships

Interested: University of Idaho, Portland State University

College: Portland State University

"I really liked the coach and the city is so interesting with so many different people. The golf there is amazing: they have won their division three years in a row."

Hannah Evans

Swimming and Water Polo

Highlights: Multi-year All-Valley, All-League, All-CIF

College: California Baptist University

Hannah has a scholarship for both swimming and water polo! "I really liked the coaches and the girls; I got a real team feeling right away. Plus, I didn’t want to go too far from home." She is predicted to help both teams immediately.

"Eleven athletes have dedicated themselves to their school, their sport, and their family to be here today," said Vista Murrieta Football Coach Coley Candaele at the signing ceremony held Wednesday, Feb. 1 at noon in the foyer of the gymnasium. Also in attendance to congratulate the athletes were Superintendent of Schools Stan Sheer, Principal Darren Daniel, and the school’s very first principal, Butch Jones. "Our hope is to prepare kids academically so they can use their athletic skills to have an opportunity to get a scholarship," said Candaele. After the ceremony, he said, "The signing of five football players is a perfect ending to a perfect year."

Lakeside High School

Jasmine Smithson-Willett

Softball

Highlights: Lakeside Female Athlete of the Year, School records: 53 wins, 567 strikeouts, Premier Girls Fast Pitch National Championship SoCal Athletics Gold), 3-Time All-League, 2-Time All-Valley, All-CIF

Interested: UCLA, Cal Berkeley, UC Santa Barbara, San Diego State

College: University of Louisville

Jasmine committed to Louisville as a sophomore. "My first, and only, visit was to Louisville. They say when you know, you know. I knew. It was everything I could hope for in a college – the dorms, facilities, and the dream field. After my tours and getting to know the school, I knew I found my new home. All the coaches and players make me feel welcome and that’s when I decided I would not want to be anywhere else." University of Louisville Softball Coach Sandy Pearsall said: Jasmine "brings a wealth of experience. She has great versatility as a pitcher, and infielder and an outfielder and can help us in every aspect of the game with her speed and power. We are fortunate to bring in a high-caliber player like Jasmine to help complement our team."

Mackenzie Akins

Soccer

Highlights: All-League, All-Valley, All-CIF, Sunbelt League MVP, ECNL National Champion, 3rd League title, School records: 104+ career goals, 37+ season goals

Interested: University of Oregon, University of San Diego, Penn State, University of Nevada, TCU, University of Montana, Boston College, Cal Berkeley, UCLA, Fairfield, North Carolina, Michigan, Mount St. Mary’s, Cal State Northridge

College: University of Montana (Grizzlies)

Mackenzie formerly was committed to the University of Nevada before deciding on Montana."They are a very good soccer program: they won the Big Sky Conference and got to play the National Champions, Stanford, in the first round of the NCAA tourney."

Elsinore High School

Alyssa Vanderdrink

Softball Infield, Pitcher

Highlights:

Four-year varsity starter, 1st Team All-League, All-Valley

Interested:

San Jose State, UC Davis, Fresno State, Colorado State, Harvard, Holy Cross, Puget Sound, University of San Diego

College: Sacramento State

Sac State Head Coach Kathy Strahan: "Alyssa is a very talented athlete with a good glove and a great arm. I look for her to contend for an infield spot right away."

Nolan Peralta

Football LB/TE

Highlights: 4-yr varsity starter; 1st Team All-League, 1st Team All-Valley, All-CIF, CIF-SS Eastern Division Defensive Player of the Year (2nd year); CIF-SS Championship; also multi-yr letters in basketball and track, 4.0 GPA, ASB Leadership, Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Interested: San Jose State, UC Davis, Fresno State, Colorado State, Harvard, Holy Cross, Puget Sound, University of San Diego

College: Colorado State (Rams)

Nolan received both purely athletic and purely academic scholarship offers. He was also recruited for two different positions (tight end and linebacker); he will be primarily a linebacker, but have an opportunity to do both at Colorado State.

Great Oak

Nicole Kraft

Soccer Center Defense

Highlights: Surf ECNL National Champions, All-League, All-Valley, All-CIF

College: Point Loma Nazarene University (Sea Lions)

"It’s close to home, has my major, and a team that I can play for. The hardest part of the recruiting process is working hard enough to get into school for soccer, especially with IB and sports, it got stressful at times. The best part was the time afterwards: just not having the pressure of waiting. It’s the best feeling. I’m really excited about playing different, out-of-state teams and getting to see different places."

Michelle Craft

Soccer Goal Keeper

Highlights: Surf ECNL National Champions, All-League, All-Valley, 1st Team All-CIF

College: University of San Diego (Toreros)

"I visited a lot of schools that were interested in me and looked deeply into what they could offer. I chose the school that best fit what I wanted and the place where I could make the most of my experience. It was a lot of waiting, but in the end, I was so happy with my decision. It’s close to home [and] is strong academically, which is really important to me."

Clarissa Estrella

Soccer Forward

Highlights: All-League, 2011 Team MVP, Starter/Captain for Temecula United

Interested: University of Chicago, Aurora University, Western Oregon, Clark University

College: Northern New Mexico Highlands University

"I like the small university – about 3000 students – the size of Great Oak." Cowgirl Head Coach Wagar addded, "Clarissa is a fast, strong, and athletic player who is versatile and can play a number of positions. She will do a good job for us next year to provide depth and improve our team as a whole." The team won the NSCAA College Team Academic Award in 2010-11.

Pauline Mandel

Cross Country/Track Long Distance

Highlights: Led Wolfpack to 4th consecutive state meet berth, a State Championship in 2010, 2011 Nike Cross Nationals Champion

Interested: Cal, Oregon State, St.Mary’s College, Washington State, Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo, Colorado State University

College: Colorado State

"They offered me a 75 percent athletic scholarship. I liked the team and the campus and the change of seasons. I get the chance to be on Varsity my freshman year and get a chance to travel." Her dad, Mark, said the biggest factor for her was a desire to go to a D1 school and see what she can do, to work hard to see what she can achieve."

Brandon Messerly

Cross Country/Track Long Distance

Highlights: 2012 State Indoor Champion (Mile), multi-yr All-Riverside County, All-Valley, led Cross Country team to State Finals 2010, 2011

College: University of Kansas

"Both my parents went to Kansas and the team was cool."

Zahn Malherbe

Soccer Forward

Highlights: 22-0 as a freshman pitcher, CIF-SS Finals, ASA National Championship, 3.5 GPA

College: Northwestern University

"It’s a really strong academic school and the team is really good…I have a chance to play the majority of the game. [The process] was really, really stressful…it was so scary to know that this decision affects my entire future. But it was nice that, once you get in, you don’t have to wait for colleges’ answers. Once you’re in, you’re in. It was so nice to finally figure out where to go. It just lifts so much weight off my shoulders, it’s actually a relief."

Meg Bernhard

Staff Writer

"We’re proud of you and we’re excited about your future. You are an inspiration," said Great Oak Athletic Director Gil Rodriguez. "Great Oak programs are on the rise and we are a sleeping giant." Six Wolfpack student-athletes signed their Letters of Intent on Wed., Feb. 1, at the Performing Arts Center on campus.

Chaparral

Kristie Johnson

Softball Outfield

Highlights: Varsity Starter all four years, CIF Scholar-Athlete four years in a row, Plays Travel Softball for San Diego Legacy; GPA: 3.67. 

College: Dixie State College, St. George, Utah

Damon Watkins

Football

Highlights: 1st Team All-League, IE All-Star

Interested: New Mexico State, Alcorn State, Minot State (NAIA)

College: Alcorn State

Plans to major in Fashion Merchandising or Athletic Training/Sports Medicine

Jessica Pino

Basketball Guard/Forward

Highlights: Varsity Starter all four years, CIF Scholar-Athlete four years in a row, Plays Travel Softball for San Diego Legacy; GPA: 3.67. 

Interested: University of Arizona, New Mexico State, Southern Utah, Fresno State, Oregon, Portland State, University of San Francisco, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

College: UC Santa Barbara

Coach Mike Pino (her dad) said, "It was the best fit, and she has a chance to contribute right away."

Norman "Teddy" Queen

Football Defensive End

Highlights: #7 DE in SoCal (Rivals.com), All-League, Defensive MVP

Interested: University of Nevada, Colorado, Colorado State, San Diego State

College: San Diego State

"The coaches are very good; there is a lot of pride in the school programs and I like being closer to home."

Ashlyn Moriarity

Softball Pitcher, Outfield

Highlights: CIF Scholar-Athlete four years in a row, Plays Travel Softball for TNL; GPA: 3.67.

College: Dominican University of California, San Rafael Ca

Kelsey Smith

Diving

Highlights: CIF Division II Championships (3 yrs), 2011 Master Championships, AAU Nationals, Most Valuable Student (Elks scholarship), GPA: 4.5

College: University of Northern Colorado

Plans to major in Physical Therapy or Athletic Training.

Matt Morin

Football Quarterback

Highlights: Ranked #21 pro-style QB in the nation (rivals.com), MVP at Nike USC Camp

Interested: Colorado, Washington, Arizona State, UCLA, Colorado State, Boise State

College: San Diego State

Verbally committed in August.