By Lisa Nicklanovich; courtesy photos

February 5 was National Signing Day, when high school student-athletes all over the country sign letters of intent to play their sport at the collegiate level. We commend all the student-athletes and congratulate the following 80108 student-athletes as they celebrate their hard work and look ahead to their futures:

DOUGLAS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Coach Kelsey Ubben said, “Lauryn epitomizes multiple definitions of a good teammate; she is hard working, a natural born leader, and she’s got heart and a love for the game like I’ve never seen before. After playing four years of volleyball and golf for DCHS, I know that no matter where she goes in this life, she will do great things for herself, and everyone around her.”

Coach Randy Freeman said, “Matt has been a pleasure to coach. Matt’s leadership and great work ethic helped with the rebuilding of the boys soccer program at Douglas County. Matt will do well at Simpson.” Kelli Hasken added, “Matt played an integral role with his team, winning the state cup championship in Colorado for his club soccer team. He has also been a captain on his club soccer team. He plays the game with respect for his players, coaches and referees. Matt is very excited to play for a coach like Coach Rick Isaacson and for the Simpson College soccer club.”

ROCK CANYON HIGH SCHOOL

Coach Allan Dyer said, “Carson will be attending Utah Valley University. Carson is a three-year varsity letterman and he has been an integral part of the success Rock Canyon has had during his time there. Carson is a hardworking dedicated baseball player who wants to make an impact at the next level.”

Coach Nicole Vanderpoel said, “Anna has been an extremely talented swimmer since age 6 and is courageous, determined, kindhearted and resilient. She is also quietly competitive and loyal and is so supportive of her teammates. Anna has been a varsity swimmer all four years in high school, a Continental A-League finalist in 50 and 100 free and a member of our 5A Colorado State Team. Anna is an accomplished student who currently has a 4.0 GPA and also has spent many hours volunteering with Metro Caring which is an anti-hunger campaign distributing food, baby items, and personal care products to those in need.”

Coach Angela Hanson said, “Libby was such a joy to have on the team with her high energy and fun-loving spirit. She kept such a positive attitude and I loved the way that she joked around but still put in the focus and effort when needed. She has grown so much in her skills over the years and it has been so fun watching her become the player she is now. It is no surprise that she was awarded Most Animated by her teammates. Libby earned a .226 hitting percentage and earned 371 kills during her 2 years on varsity. Libby received two All-Conference awards.”

Coach Allan Dyer said, “Elliott will be attending Garden City Community College. Elliott is coming off a break-out year at Rock Canyon. He is one of the top first basemen in the Continental League. Elliott will be competing in one of the top Junior College conferences in the nation.”

Coach Matthew Siracusa said, “His attitude combined with his lacrosse IQ make him an asset to any team. Being a smart player allows you to take chances and step out of your comfort zone. He is also the player you want to be around. I cannot wait to see what he brings to Maryville in the fall!”

Coach Mathew Siracusa said, “Jacob is an extremely hard worker who exemplifies the word passion. His commitment to his team and players around him will allow him to excel at the next level of play. We are extremely excited to see what you are able to do at Aurora.”

Coach Angela Hanson said, “Sophia was a team captain for us and displayed leadership on a daily basis. She would go the extra mile to make the team feel special. She was a true competitor on the court. Sophia earned 634 kills and 68 aces during her three years on varsity. Sophia also received two All-Conference awards. In addition to athletics, she excelled in academics. She received the first team academic all-state award both her junior and senior year as well as numerous academic letters. She set a good example and her teammates awarded her Best Role Model.”

Club coach Danny Bills of Real Academy said, “Zane is a hardworking, quality soccer player who cares greatly for his team and program. He has the ability to play multiple positions to help the team win. We are proud of the player he has become and know he will do great on and off the field in college. Thank you for representing Real Colorado; good luck Zane!”

Coach Brian Tinker said, “Sawyer has been an inspiration to the football team with his work ethic and great resilience. His devotion to his craft has helped him put himself in this situation and I wish the best of luck for Sawyer going forward”

REGIS JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL

Coach Charlie Rutenbeck said, “Going into her fourth and final season here, Katie has more than lived up to expectations. She was a varsity starter four years straight, a number one Regis Jesuit golfer three years straight, and won dozens of first place titles in our league and Invite play. Last year alone, Katie won or tied for first place six times and was never out of the top five in 5A play out of nine tournaments. Katie maintained a 4.34 GPA and is also a full-time creative dance national competitor. Polite, courteous and humble are a few of her many attributes. She’s determined and disciplined with a strong willingness to listen, learn and teach her peers.”

VALOR CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

Assistant Athletic Director and College Recruiting Coordinator Bill Bufton said, “Spencer started his athletic career as a golfer and soccer player. He gravitated to football as a senior and became an outstanding kicker. He was a perfect 19-19 on extra points and was 1-1 on field goals in which he converted a 44-yard field goal. Spencer is an outstanding student and will be attending and playing football at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina next year.”

Assistant Athletic Director and College Recruiting Coordinator Bill Bufton said, “Kaiden Keefe was a dynamic wide receiver for the Valor Eagles in 2020. He helped lead our team to a 12-2 record his senior year. Kaiden had 28 catches for 427 yards and averaged 15.3 yards per catch. Kaiden was our best possession receiver and when we needed a first down, he was the go-to receiver for our quarterback. Kaiden will be attending Eastern Michigan University on a full-ride football scholarship.”