Sports

MOVING UP IN THE WORLD

Student athletes from Santa Margarita and Servite high schools sign with collegiate teams

By Dan Arritt     3/9/2020

In another round of signing ceremonies that saw high school seniors commit to playing college athletics, both Santa Margarita Catholic High School and Servite High School celebrated their student athletes. 

Servite recognized 11 athletes make college commitments across four sports, including eight players from the school’s football program. 

Two-year varsity letterman and tight end Ender Aguilar will be continuing his playing career for University of California, Berkeley. First Team All-Trinity League wide receiver Zedakiah Centers will be playing for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Linebacker and defensive end Luca de Lancellotti signed with Trinity College.  

Third Team All-County long snapper Jacob Garcia is headed to Utah State University. Offensive lineman and three-year varsity letterman Robert Krebs signed with Columbia University. Fellow offensive lineman Jeminai Leuta-Ulu will continue his playing career at UNLV. The 2nd Team All-Trinity League selection is also a CIF-placing discus thrower for Servite’s track and field team. 

Three-year varsity letterman and two-time All-Trinity League selection Nicholas Martinez will be playing for Kansas State University. Tight end and three-year varsity letterman Jake Overman signed with Oregon State University.  

From the links, Servite golfer Diego Gonzalez will be continuing his golfing career for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  

Three-year varsity letterman Brian Rusnak from Servite’s lacrosse team is headed to Arcadia University.  

Guillermo Ocasio, a four-year varsity starter for Servite’s water polo team, has signed with UCLA. The 2018 CIF Player of the Year is also a member of the school’s 2018 CIF Division 3 championship team.  

“We are incredibly proud of these talented young men for everything they have accomplished in their academic and athletic careers thus far,” says Servite Athletic Director, Alan Clinton. “We look forward to continuing to watch them succeed at the next level.” 

Santa Margarita celebrated seven of their athletes as they committed to play college athletics. 

Katelyn Yunker will run cross country and track for the University of San Diego. The four-year program participant is a member of the school’s CIF championship team. 

Current Trinity League 300-meter hurdle titleholder Michael Ventura has committed to run for Cal Poly Pomona’s track and field team. 

Distance runner and four-time CIF finals qualifier Tamara Hirschman will be joining Colorado Mesa University’s cross country and track and field teams.  

From the tennis court, Amelia Kitts has committed to Biola University. The senior captain is also a three-time Trinity League champion. 

Three-year varsity letterman Michael Mira will continue his baseball career at Concordia University. The third baseman is a member of the school’s 2019 CIF Championship team. 

From the Eagles’ football team, Jason Schillig has committed to the University of Chicago, and Nick Barcelos is headed to the University of Nevada as a preferred walk-on. 

“I am so proud of our student athletes at Santa Margarita Catholic High School,” says Santa Margarita Athletic Director, Annie Mai-Garrett. “Every year these signing day events showcase the best of the best of our student athletes, and their success and accolades throughout their high school careers are incredible to witness.”