Sports

TAKING THE NEXT STEP

JSerra, Mater Dei and Rosary athletes sign college commitments

By Jenelyn Russo     3/16/2018

Last month, JSerra Catholic High School, Rosary Academy and Mater Dei High School celebrated their senior student athletes as they signed scholarship letters of intent for college athletics during the Feb. 7, 2018 National Signing Day.  

JSerra had 15 athletes from four different sports make college commitments. 

From the gridiron, seven of the varsity Lions will be continuing their football careers. Matt Robinson is headed to the University of Illinois. Jake Parks signed with University of California, Davis. TJ Medina committed to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado. Jake Haggard will play in the Ivy League at the University of Pennsylvania. University of Puget Sound will be the college home of Nelson Lopez. Jack Bolduc will play for the University of Nevada, Reno, and Malik McClain will remain in Southern California as a Trojan at USC. 

“It was a very exciting day for our seniors who signed their Letters of Intent,” says JSerra head football coach, Pat Harlow. “These young men have put in a tremendous amount of time and effort, both academically and athletically, to make their dreams of playing college football come true. We could not be more proud and excited for them as they head off to college. These young men represent what JSerra is all about: faith, intellect and character.” 

Three girls soccer players made college commitments. Taylor Gosselin will play at Auburn University, Mahea Heimuli is headed to Yale University, and Skylar Giacobetti committed to Purdue University. 

Boys soccer players to sign letters of intent include, Dylan Shockey who will play for Loyola Marymount University and Morgan Hebard who is headed to the United States Military Academy Preparatory School at West Point. 

Lions boys soccer captains to make college commitments include goalkeeper Sam Guinane who will play for the University of Notre Dame and Nick Aquino who is headed to Concordia University, Irvine. 

“Sam’s journey has been inspiring for all of us,” says JSerra head boys soccer coach, Erik Kirsch. “We are so excited to see what he is going to do at Notre Dame. He has lead this program in all aspects as a captain. He will always be a pillar of this program. 

“Nick’s leadership, commitment and work ethic are what defines this program,” says Kirsch. “Nick has exemplified all five of our pillars for our program in his last four years. It has been an honor to coach him at JSerra.” 

Additionally, boys lacrosse player Joe Miraglia has committed to play for Belmont Abbey College. 

“These athletes are a beautiful representation of our finest students at JSerra,” says JSerra Director of Athletics, Christopher Ledyard. “They are prepared to move to their respective arenas and shine athletically, spiritually and academically. We are proud of them for all they are becoming.” 

Rosary Academy saw Kayla Figueroa sign with Concordia University, Irvine to continue her soccer career. The four-year varsity player is looking forward to staying local. 

“Kayla is a player that has a very high soccer IQ and has played in a lot of high level games,” says Rosary head soccer coach, Sean Melendez. “She reads the game very well and has great vision and skill. She is one of the top outside backs in Orange County. Kayla will be a great addition to Concordia.”  

Twenty student athletes from Mater Dei will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.  

In one of the largest football classes to sign National Letters of Intent for top Division I universities, JT Daniels, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Solomon Tuliaupupu lead the way with commitments to USC. Andrew Faoliu has committed to the University of Oregon. Samuela Tuihalamaka is headed to Oklahoma State University, and Mason Kolinchak will play for the United States Military Academy at West Point. 

Girls soccer player Julia Barajas has committed to the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee. Destinee Manzo will play for the University of Portland, and Jordan Moos has signed with Dickinson College. 

On the boys soccer side, Nick Cirrito will play for the University of California, San Diego. Caden Rule is headed to York St John University in England, and Justin Stephen committed to Boston University. 

And in the pool, boys water polo teammates Wyatt Benson and goalkeeper Billy Motherway are headed to Princeton University, while Mark Balcarcel will play for Chapman University and Jackson Seybold committed to Stanford University. 

Girls water polo player Isabella Baia is headed to UCLA. Nicole Kresich, Marley Presiado and Grace Thawley will play water polo for Ivy League schools, Princeton University, Brown University and Harvard University, respectively. 

“Our February 7th signing day group was truly special,” says Mater Dei Director of Athletics, Tia Meza. “This group of student athletes is talented in their sport and in the classroom.”