M-A celebrated National Signing Day, the first day high school seniors can officially sign a binding National Letter of Intent to a NCAA college sports team, on Wednesday, February 3. Participants included seniors Sally Carlson, Leanna Collins, Annalisa Crowe, Christian Fioretti, Justin Friedsam, Talia Missan, Bryce Rodgers, Kevin Shimbo, and Ben Stanley.
Sally Carlson committed to Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California for lacrosse. Carlson is a four year varsity lacrosse player at M-A and has been elected the team captain for three years. She has an impressive presence in the Pacific Athletic League (PAL), making first team all-league in 10th and 11th grade and second team all-league in 9th grade. Carlson was also voted the Most Valuable Midfield Award in 11th grade, and won the Coach’s Award in 10th grade. Other notable achievements include Academic All-American (11th grade) and being selected to attend the Women’s National Tournament for Northern California (9th and 10th grade).
Leanna Collins signed to play volleyball at the University of California San Diego in San Diego, California. Collins is a four year varsity volleyball player at M-A. She has hit over .400 and earned all-league honors in PAL for the past two seasons. Collins helped lead the Bears to the Northern California championship match last year and to an unprecedented California State championship this year.
Annalisa Crowe committed to run cross country and track at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Crowe is a four year varsity cross country and track runner at M-A. In cross country she has qualified for Central Coast Section (CCS) for four years and has earned all-league honors for PAL for all four years. She holds the second fastest time of all time at Crystal Springs as an individual and member of the school record team, in addition to course records at multiple other courses. In 2015 she was the individual PAL champion, finished second in CCS individually, andqualified for California State Championships.
Crowe also excels in track, holding nine all-league times over three years. She holds the M-A record in the distance medley relay and has the second fastest 800 meter, third fasted 1600 meter, and third fasted four by four relay times in school history. Over three years she has been the PAL champion twice in the 1600 meters and the 800 meters and once in the four by four relay.
Christian Fioretti signed to play basketball at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. Fioretti is a three year varsity basketball player for M-A and has been the starting point guard for his junior and senior year. This year he has lead the Bears to an overall 19-2 record (9-0 in league). Due to this outstanding performance, the Bears are ranked twelfth in the *SF Chronicle*, M-A’s highest ranking in 25 years. Fioretti is currently averaging 11.0 points per game and is shooting 53% from the field and 48.3% from the 3-point range. He also leads the team in assists at 78 thus far in the year.
Justin Friedsam committed to play football at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Friedsam is a two year varsity wide receiver and safety. This year Friedsam earned a Honorable Mention from the Daily News Wide Receiver/Safety and a PAL Honorable Mention Wide Receiver/Safety.
Talia Missan signed to play soccer at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine for soccer. Missan is a four year varsity soccer player and a respected team captain this year. She is a starting outside midfielder. Missan currently has two goals and three assists this year, helping the Bears to a current second place standing in the PAL with five games remaining in league play.
Bryce Rodgers committed to play football at the University of California Davis in Davis, California. Rodgers has been a two way varsity starter for three years and was the 2015 M-A Varsity Football Captain. This year he was the M-A Team Defensive MVP, PAL Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-PAL Defensive Lineman, First Team Daily News Defensive Lineman, First Team All-Mercury News Defensive Lineman, Second Team All-Metro Defensive Lineman, and Second Team All-State Defensive Lineman.
Kevin Shimbo signed to play football and baseball at Pitzer College in Claremont, California. This year Shimbo was named Second Team All-Daily News Offensive Lineman and received Honorable Mention PAL Offensive Lineman.
Ben Stanley committed to play football at University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Stanley is a three year varsity safety and wide receiver who started as a junior and senior. This year Stanley earned Honorable Mention Daily News Wide Receiver/Safety and Honorable Mention PAL Wide Receiver/Safety.
Congratulations to all of the M-A student-athletes who committed to playing their sport in college! Best of luck!
