Student athletes from around the area took part last week in National Letter of Intent signing day ceremonies as they were recognized for committing to play sports and further their education at the next level. Because of the pandemic, this is one of the first signing days in two years where student athletes got to celebrate on campuses, with teammates, families, coaches and administration, mask free.
Wednesday, Nov. 10, was the first day of 2021 for National Signing Day, which is the first day of the 2021-2022 school year that a high school senior can sign a binding national letter of intent with an NCAA, NCCAA or NAIA college, committing in writing to attend that school in exchange for a commitment from the school to receive financial aid and scholarships.
Here is a look at the colleges and universities to which many local student athletes will be reportedly taking their talents, as reported by school athletic directors. If you know of a student athlete that is playing at the next level and did not get recognized in the paper this week, send more information to sports@reedermedia.com.
GREAT OAK
Ramsey Suarez, softball, UCLA
Kylee Grimm, volleyball, Cal Lutheran
Alec Alvarado, soccer, Loughborough University in England
Bella Mejia, softball, Cal State University Northridge
Brandon Marina, volleyball, UC Irvine
Michael Rodda, baseball, California Baptist University
Christian Smith, baseball, San Diego State University
Owen Mercado, men’s lacrosse, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Kya Pratt, softball, Utah State
Fatima Sheriff, volleyball, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Sierra Cates, volleyball, Virginia Tech
LINFEILD
Breanna Mitchell, volleyball, Cal State University Northridge
MURRIETA MESA
Zoe Karam, softball, Boise State
Claressa “Scooter” Zepeda, soccer, University of Nebraska-Kearney
Savanna Herz, soccer, Northwest Nazarene University
Justin Schneider, swim, Penn State
Carson Dickey, lacrosse, Colorado Mesa University
Alexis Hamilton, lacrosse, Longwood University
Carter Garate, baseball, University of Oregon
Cade Moran, track and field, University of Michigan
MURRIETA VALLEY
Madison Bailey, volleyball, Holy Cross University
Hailey Cass, stunt, Dallas Baptist University
Kaitlyn Bartlett, stunt, Cal Baptist University
Olivia Bettencourt, softball, SW Missouri College.
Austin Comstock, softball, Bradley University
TEMECULA VALLEY
Natalie Mitchell, soccer, Eastern Carolina University
Sarah Assumma, soccer, MidAmerica Nazarene University
Peyton Bundy, soccer, Colorado Mesa University
Sarena Gonzalez, volleyball, San Diego State University
Emma Rhodes, volleyball, UCSD
Taylor Smith, volleyball, Queens College
Gabby McLaughlin, volleyball, University of Nevada Reno.
Tamiya Wilson, volleyball, San Francisco State
Abel Gaitan, wrestling, Morningside University, Iowa
M.J. Gaitan, wrestling, Cal Baptist University, California
Leah Gaitan, wrestling, Grandview University, Iowa
Mark “Bill” Takara, wrestling, Utah Valley University
Kaitlyn Christie, softball, Cal State Fullerton
Raelle Gorman, softball, Pace University
Natalie Bednarz, softball, Cal State University, San Bernardino
Brooke Foster, field hockey, Lincoln Memorial University
Christopher Paciolla, baseball, UCLA
Congratulations to all 2021-2022 student athletes committing to play at the next level.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
