Education

MATER DEI, ROSARY, SERVITE STUDENTS SIGN UP

By Jenelyn Russo     12/10/2020

November 11, 2020, marked the first day of the 2020-2021 school year when high school athletes could make their college commitments official. In response to Covid-19 safety protocols, Orange County Catholic high schools celebrated their senior athletes in a variety of safe formats, including Mater Dei High School, where three separate National Signing Day ceremonies took place on campus to honor 30 of their senior Monarchs.  

There were four players from the school’s baseball program who committed to playing at the next level. Drew Porter will be headed to California State University, Northridge. Alonzo Tredwell will play for UCLA, and both Skye Selinsky and AJ Valle committed to Columbia University. 

From the softball diamond, Natalie Marshall committed to University of Kansas, and Morgan McConnell signed with University of North Dakota.  

Six Monarchs from across Mater Dei’s boys and girls basketball programs made their college commitments. Harry Hornery will play for USC. Nick Davidson is headed to University of Nevada, Reno. Wilhelm Breidenbach signed with University of Nebraska. Brooke Demetre committed to Stanford University. Maeaali’l Amosa will play for Pepperdine University, and Alyssa Durazo-Frescas signed with University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 

The Mater Dei volleyball programs saw seven senior athletes commit to continuing their playing careers. Zaria Henderson is headed to University of California, San Diego. Cadence Gronski will play for Santa Clara University. Isabella Lesage signed with Northwestern University. Lauryn Sweeney will play for Fordham University. Josh Rosenblum signed with California State University, Long Beach, and Colby Bennett and Rachel Blair committed to the beach volleyball programs at USC and Concordia University, respectively.  

From the pool, swimmer Kailia Utley committed to Vanderbilt University, and swimmer Lizzie Mackowiak is headed to University of Arizona. Water polo player Grant Loth signed with UCLA, and teammate Clay Kaneko committed to Pepperdine University. From the girls water polo program, Casey Coppock will play for University of California, Santa Barbara, and Janna Tauscher signed with University of California, Berkeley. 

Three soccer players made college commitments, including Megan Hogate who will play for University of Texas. Faith Nguyen is headed to UCLA, and Connor Place signed with University of California, San Diego. 

Additionally, golfer Ryder Henares will continue his playing career at Loyola Marymount University, and tennis player Grace McSkimming is headed to Sacramento State University.  

“It was such a pleasure to see our athletes enjoying Signing Day,” says Mater Dei Athletic Director, Amanda Waters. “It was a safe and fun event, and our families were truly grateful we could give them this experience. All three sessions were worth it to see their smiling faces and the emotion from the parents on this special day.” 

Rosary Academy saw two of their water polo players make college commitments. Lauren Woolley will play for San Jose State University, and Veralie Naranjo signed with Biola University.  

“I am so proud and happy to see Lauren committing to continue her academic and water polo career at SJSU,” says Rosary head water polo coach Rory Bevins of Woolley. “I know she will continue to do great things and look forward to seeing her grow as a person.” 

Of Naranjo, Bevins says, “I am very excited for Veralie committing to continue her water polo and academic career at Biola. She will do great things at the next level, and I am so excited to see what she does in the future.” 

Servite High School celebrated three of their senior athletes as they made college commitments. Golfer Benjamin Hong is headed to Boston College, and his teammate William Sung signed with Columbia University. 

“They are what Servite is all about,” says Servite head golf coach, Dane Jako, “not just great players, but also great teammates, students and men.” 

And Servite pitcher Brady Childs will play baseball for Drury University. 

“Brady has displayed a great work ethic and has proven to be a great teammate during his time at Servite,” said Friars head baseball coach, Shawn Gilbert. “We look forward to watching Brady further develop as a pitcher and an individual at the next level.”