Today is the day for many local athletes. Football players, volleyball players, soccer players and more will sign National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, securing futures in college athletics.
Below is a list of all local seniors who have signed with or committed to a college program during the 2017-18 school year.
To report additional NLI signings, email firstname.lastname@example.org.
▪ Keilani Bajo, Centralia: Headed to Highline College to continue her softball career.
▪ Hannah Barker, Timberline: Focused on club swimming her senior year, but will head to Division I program Grand Canyon University (Arizona) holding Timberline individual records in the 100-yard freestyle, 200 free, 500 free and 100 back. Reached the podium five times during her career at the state swimming and diving championships.
▪ Michael Barnes, Timberline: The Olympian’s All-Area player of the year, first-team Associated Press all-state selection and the 3A South Sound Conference MVP, Barnes will continue his football career at Montana Tech. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound athlete was a two-way threat for the Blazers, rushing for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. At safety, he returned two of his four interceptions for scores, and added 61 tackles. Listed as the No. 58 prospect in Washington by 247Sports, he also had offers from Air Force Academy and Simon Fraser.
▪ Garrett Behrens, Tumwater: Will continue his baseball career at Centralia College after posting a .200 batting average and scoring six runs as a junior.
▪ Chase Bowes, Timberline: Had offers to play football at several Division III and NAIA schools, and is headed to College of Idaho. The 6-foot, 250-pound lineman was an Olympian All-Area pick and 3A SSC first-team selection after compiling 78 pancake blocks, and allowing no sacks for a Blazers offense that rushed for more than 2,700 yards.
▪ Bella Brown, Black Hills: Four-time 2A EvCo first-teamer and two-time Olympian All-Area selection is headed to Central Washington University. The midfielder finished her final season with seven goals, 16 assists, and helped the Wolves reach the state playoffs twice during her career.
▪ Payton Chapin, Capital*: Will continue her soccer career at Centralia College. Defender was an honorable mention 3A SSC selection her final season.
▪ Kennedy Croft, Tumwater: Signed with Gonzaga University volleyball in November after leading the T-Birds to four consecutive 2A state-tournament appearances, including two championships. Was a four-time Olympian All-Area selection, two-time player of the year and the Gatorade state player of the year her junior season. Perhaps the most dominant outside hitter Thurston County has produced, finishing with 1,193 career kills.
▪ Oliva Dean, W.F. West: Infielder will continue her softball career at Centralia College after helping the Bearcats to a 2A state title as a junior. Had a .935 fielding percentage last season, and was stellar at the plate, too. Hit .458 during the regular season with a .500 on-base percentage, six doubles and three triples. Was an Olympian All-Area selection as a junior.
▪ Alana Dowies, Tenino: Will continue her soccer career at Lower Columbia College.
▪ Chase Fisk, Tumwater: Headed to Bellevue College to continue his golf career after finishing 35th at the 2A state tournament as a junior.
▪ Emma Goodman, Black Hills: Libero for the Wolves will continue her volleyball career at The Evergreen State College. Was a first-team 2A EvCo selection, second-team Olympian All-Area selection and honorable mention all-state selection her final season. Also helped Black Hills reach the 2A state playoffs.
▪ Tyson Guerrero, W.F. West: The reigning 2A Evergreen Conference MVP will join Washington State University’s baseball team after fanning 70 batters last season. The 5-foot-11 lefty recorded a 1.89 ERA, and posted a .415 average at the plate to pace the Bearcats to a runner-up finish at state. Was an Olympian All-Area pick.
▪ Makenna Hansen, Timberline: Will continue her track and field career at Central Washington University. Holds Timberline sprinting records for the 100 and 200, and placed in the 100 (fifth), 200 (third) and 4x200 relay (seventh) at the 3A state meet as a junior.
▪ Corbin Hartsock, Olympia: Missed his senior season with a knee injury, but the 6-foot-5, 235-pound defensive end impressed Eastern Washington University enough as a junior. The former Olympian All-Area selection is currently listed as the No. 63 prospect in Washington by 247Sports after tallying 66 tackles (18 for losses) and nine sacks his junior season.
▪ Dakota Hawkins, W.F. West: Infielder and pitcher for the Bearcats was a first-team 2A EvCo and Olympian All-Area selection as a junior. Will play at Lower Columbia College after posting a .348 batting average, seven doubles, two home runs and 22 RBIs during the regular season. Was 4-0 with a 1.21 ERA and 41 strikeouts on the mound in helping W.F. West to a state runner-up finish.
▪ Cy Hicks, Tumwater: Reigning 2A state heavyweight champion signed on with College of Idaho to play football. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound lineman is a two-time Olympian All-Area selection was the 2A EvCo MVP his senior year. He was the only local first-team all-state selection on both sides of the ball. He blocked for an offense that rushed for more than 4,000 yards and averaged 37.7 points per game as the 2A state runner-up. Defensively, Hicks led the T-Birds with 65 tackles (eight for losses) and recovered two fumbles.
▪ Samantha Johnson, Northwest Christian: Heads to the University of Puget Sound after finishing her final season with 403 kills — averaging six per set — and a .501 hitting percentage. Added 281 digs, 63 aces and 34 blocks on her way to first-team 2B Pacific League and Olympian All-Area honors.
▪ Jacob Julagay, Timberline: Will head to Grays Harbor College to continue his baseball career.
▪ Cameron Kendall, Olympia: The 6-foot, 170-pound defensive back is verbally committed to play Division II football for GNAC member Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, BC). Was a 4A SPSL honorable mention selection.
▪ Casey Kendall, Olympia: The 5-foot-11, 170-pound defensive back is verbally committed to play Division II football for GNAC member Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, BC).
▪ Bryce Kincy, Black Hills: Outfielder for the Wolves will continue his baseball career at Shoreline Community College. Was a first-team 2A EvCo and second-team Olympian All-Area selection as a junior.
▪ Josie Kirk, North Thurston: Midfielder for the Rams will play soccer at Yakima Valley College. Chipped in two goals and four assists, and was a first-team 3A SSC and Olympian All-Area selection.
▪ Kristian Knight, Black Hills: Utility player for the Wolves will continue his baseball career at Tacoma Community College. Threw a no-hitter as a junior, posted a 1.92 ERA with 50 strikeouts and held opponents to a .175 batting average. Was a first-team 2A EvCo and Olympian All-Area selection as a junior.
▪ Christian Larson, Timberline: Headed to Tacoma Community College to continue his baseball career.
▪ Simon Lazar, Black Hills: Will continue both his cross country and track and field careers at Corbin College.
▪ David Litzenberger, Capital: Will continue his baseball career at Spokane Community College.
▪ Sydney Lowe, Black Hills: Star forward for the Wolves will play at Central Washington University — just like her older sister Whitney — after leading the Wolves with 28 goals and 14 assists her final season. Was a two-time Olympian All-Area selection, and the player of the year as a senior, as well as a two-time 2A EvCo offensive player of the year. She helped Black Hills reach the state playoffs twice during her career.
▪ Ciel McDonald, Olympia: Will continue her soccer career at Yakima Valley Community College. Was an honorable mention 4A SPSL selection her final season.
▪ Megan McSheffrey, Northwest Christian: The reigning 2B state champion in the 400-meter dash will continue her track and field career at Biola University (California). She also reached the podium in the 800 (third) as a junior, helping the Navigators claim the 2B team title.
▪ Keenan Milligan, Tumwater: Former T-Birds player will head to Wenatchee Valley Community College to continue his baseball career.
▪ Spencer Monahan, Tumwater: The 6-foot-2, 305-pound lineman will continue his football career at the University of Puget Sound.
▪ Isaac Muckian, Olympia: The 6-foot, 205-pound linebacker is verbally committed to play Division II football for GNAC member Simon Fraser University (Burnaby, BC). Was a second-team 4A SPSL and Olympian All-Area selection.
▪ Paige Murray, Capital: Defender for the Cougars will continue her soccer career at Willamette University (Salem, Oregon). Was a first-team 3A SSC selection, and second-team Olympian All-Area selection her final season.
▪ Aspen Norman, Rainier: Will continue her softball career at Lower Columbia College.
▪ Owen Oniskey, Black Hills: The 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker will play Division II football for GNAC member Central Washington University. Was a first-team 2A EvCo selection after compiling 56 tackles and three sacks.
▪ Chelsea Petrino, Centralia: Headed to Clark College to continue her volleyball career. Was an honorable mention 2A EvCo selection her final season.
▪ Keaton Ralston, Capital: Will continue his baseball career at Columbia Basin Community College.
▪ Ian Russell, Rainier: Two-time Olympian All-Area selection took the Mountaineers to the state plyoffs for the first time in 26 years. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker heads to Western Oregon University after racking up 47 tackles and five sacks, while also adding 768 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on offense. Was a 2B Central Mountain first-teamer at running back and linebacker.
▪ Tayler Sarson, Tumwater: Will continue her soccer career at Centralia College after receiving first-team 2A EvCo honors and second-team Olympian All-Area honors her final season.
▪ Broc Selstrom, Centralia: Headed to Lower Columbia College to continue his baseball career.
▪ Mason Simeta, Timberline: The 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker will continue his football career at Western Oregon University after a standout senior season. Was a first-team Olympian All-Area and Associated Press all-state selection after tallying 91 tackles (18 for losses), eight sacks and a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown. Was the 3A SSC defensive MVP.
▪ Aiden Slater, Tumwater: Heading to Western Oregon University to play football after a banner year. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound defensive end was a first-team Olympian All-Area and Associated Press all-state selection and the 2A EvCo defensive MVP after recording 62 tackles (seven for losses) and six sacks, and helping the T-Birds reach the state title game.
▪ Maria Smoot, Capital: Distance runner will compete in cross country and track and field at Sterling College (Kansas).
▪ Erik Stevenson, Timberline: The day he signed with Wichita State University, the Shockers were considered the No. 7 program in the nation, and remain in the top 25 three months later. The three-star shooting guard is listed as the No. 4 prospect from Washington on 247Sports, and will leave Timberline with single-game, season and career scoring records. Had offers from several Division I programs, including three Pac-12 schools and LSU.
▪ Isaac Thompson, Timberline: The 6-foot-1, 180-pound wide receiver and defensive back missed most of his senior season with a shoulder injury, but he’ll join three other football players from Thurston County at Western Oregon University.
▪ Peyton Uznanski, Capital: Was a valuable utilty player for the Cougars as a junior, and will continue her softball career at Bethel College (Kansas). Led Capital with a .688 batting average and .706 on-base percentage last season, recording eight doubles and two home runs. Never struck out. Was an Olympian All-Area selection.
▪ Abigail VanMarter, Northwest Christian: Will continue her volleyball career at Pierce after recording 99 kills, 94 digs, 34 aces and a .233 hitting percentage her final season with the Navigators. Was a first-team 2B Pacific and second-team Olympian All-Area selection.
▪ Michael Wagar, Tumwater: Headed to Wenatchee Valley Community College after posting a .240 batting average with 12 hits, six RBI and a homerun as a junior.
▪ Conner Warick, Timberline: Passed up offers from smaller schools to join a Division I roster. Warick, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound lineman, will head to Oregon State University as a preferred walk-on after picking up Associated Press all-state honors on offense and defense. Was an Olympian All-Area selection and the 3A SSC lineman of the year with 54 tackles (21 for losses), six sacks and two blocked punts — including one he returned for a touchdown.
▪ Everett Werner, Olympia: Continuing his swimming career at Duke University. Won the 200 individual medley and was the runner-up in the 100 butterfly at last weekend’s West Central District championships. Also paced the Bears to first-place finishes in the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay. Werner is the No. 8 recruit in Washington according to CollegeSwimming.com.
▪ Brandon White, W.F. West: The 6-foot-8 right-handed pitcher heads to Washington State University after compiling 54 strikeouts and a 1.88 ERA as a junior. Helped the Bearcats reach the 2A state title game last season, and was a first-team 2A EvCo and second-team Olympian All-Area selection.
▪ Rachel Wilkerson, Centralia: Outside hitter is headed to Centralia College to continue her volleyball career after recieving first-team 2A EvCo, second-team Olympian All-Area and honorable mention all-state honors her final season.
▪ Sarah Williams, Centralia: Will continue her soccer career at Centralia College.
▪ Sydney Wilson, Capital: Two-time Olympian All-Area selection will continue her soccer career at Western Oregon University. The midfielder wrapped up her final season with 10 goals and six assists, and was a two-time 3A SSC first-teamer.
▪ Alex Wright, Olympia: Will continue his swimming career at Virginia Tech. Won the 200 free and 500 free at the West Central District championships last weekend, and approached an All-American Consideration time in the 500 free. Also helped the Bears to first-place finishes in the 200 medley relay and 400 free relay. Wright is the No. 5 recruit in Washington according to CollegeSwimming.com.