Signed and Sealed: M-A’s College Commits

This is an ongoing article and will be updated as new athletes announce their commitments.

On Nov. 13, senior Yajaira Ramos-Gonzalez committed to play flag football at Chowan University. Her decision to commit to Chowan was ultimately due to the coach’s optimism about the team’s future. “She was telling me how good the team is, how big the program is going to be, especially in the Northeast, and I’m excited to experience being a part of a team that is building off of sisterhood,” Ramos-Gonzalez said.

Ramos-Gonzalez has been playing flag football for three years now. “I played club for a year, and then two years here at M-A,” she said. “I’m going into my second year playing club for a different team in the Bay Area. It’s called High Intensity.” 

Throughout her recruitment process, she had endless guidance and support from her coaches. “Coach Knowles was the biggest supporter. He believed in me when nobody else did,” Ramos-Gonzalez said. “I also want to thank Ms. Corman, because she’s the one who also believed in me when I was going through my lowest, trying to debate whether I should commit for a track or flag.”

Despite the support, Ramos-Gonzalez’s recruitment process came with a few minor inconveniences. “[Flag football] wasn’t a very well-known sport just yet around the U.S.,” she said. “Once I got to learn about college recruiting and being a part of combines, then it really gained my attention.” 

Her advice to other student-athletes looking to play collegiately is to give maximum effort, even when there are obstacles or setbacks. “Give it your all. I know it’s tough, sometimes it’s mentally tough, sometimes it’s physically tough, just give it your all. It’s the best thing you can do,” Ramos-Gonzalez said. “And focus on your academics, because they look for that too.”

On Sept. 28, junior Michael Powell committed to swim for the University of Virginia. His decision to attend UVA was ultimately due to the supportive community and its amazing education system. “I really loved the vibe that the team had and the coaches are some of the best in the world,” Powell said. “I also really enjoyed their campus, and they had everything I wanted in terms of academics as well.”

Powell has been swimming for longer than he can remember. “I first fell in love with it because I had lots of fun in the water and with my friends on the team. As I got older, I stuck with swimming because I found that it was something I was really good at,” he said. At the same time, Powell really enjoyed the competitiveness of it all. “I had people around me who were competitive, so I wanted to get better to beat them. Now I do it for all the same reasons, with friends and competition,” he said. 

Throughout his recruitment process, Powell had trouble remembering to respond to schools and coordinating times to meet and discuss with his coaches. “It was hard to find time to talk to coaches and keep track of replying to the schools I had interest in,” he said. Although there were some difficulties along the way, some parts were easier, like traveling to the schools to check them out. “An easy part would have to be going to the recruiting trips, because the teams planned out everything I could do while I was there,” Powell said.

During Powell’s recruitment journey, his parents were the first people there, helping and guiding him the whole way. “My parents drove me to every swim meet even when some were hours away. They always woke up early to help drive me to morning practice every day,” he said. “I would also like to thank my coaches as well for helping me become the best swimmer I can be.” 

Powell’s advice to other student-athletes hoping to play collegiately in the future is that failure is crucial to improvement and that coaches will always want the best for you. “Failing is the most important part of the process. You have to fail in competition and in practice, and just keep going. I’d also say to trust the process and your coaches. They know what they’re doing, and if you feel like there is a problem, like a real problem, then voice it to them,” Powell said.

On Nov. 22, junior Graham Martin committed to the U.S. Naval Academy to play golf. Martin’s decision was primarily because of the larger commitment that comes with the U.S. Naval Academy. “My whole life, I feel like I’ve had this desire to do something and be impactful in my life, and going to the U.S. Naval Academy fulfilled this dream for me,” he said. 

Coming from an athletic family, Martin felt a lot of pressure over his decision to play golf, but he has been incredibly dedicated throughout his career and only continues to grow. “I come from a tennis family with both my dad and my sister playing Division 1 tennis, but by the time I was 10 years old, I split off with tennis and picked up golf. It wasn’t until eighth grade that I really started taking golf seriously, which meant playing tournaments and practicing every day,” Martin said. “I faced a lot of backlash with people always questioning whether it was a real sport or thinking I was joking when I said I played, but I’ve practiced almost every day for the last three years and kept grinding.”

His recruitment process luckily came without much difficulty, but the ultimate decision was still a complicated choice. “I had assistance from many people in my recruitment process that kept things running smoothly, and I always tried to respond on time, but for me the hardest part was the decision. I was offered to play golf at a couple of other schools that I would’ve dreamed of going to not too long ago, and with the deadlines I was given, it was really hard to make a choice,” Martin said.

He owes a large part of his golf journey to his dad and is incredibly grateful for the endless support he has given. “As I get older, I realize that my dad is one of the only guys in my life who wants to see me do better and be greater than him. He covered all the expenses, drove and flew with me for hours upon hours to these tournaments, and was always there when I struggled,” Martin said. “All the greatest lessons I learned are from him, and even though there were times when I questioned his teaching methods, it always worked out.”

His advice to other student-athletes is to be as open as possible when considering your choices. “Visiting as many schools as possible will widen your perspective on colleges and will help you find what you truly want. I wouldn’t get too caught up in the statistics or what other people tell you, but instead find a place where you can see yourself being happy even when you’re not playing your sport,” Martin said.

On Nov. 15, senior Katie Cueva committed to UC Berkeley for pole vaulting. Her decision came down to the combined level of Berkeley’s athletics and academics. “I committed to Cal because it has an incredible pole vault program, a team and coach I’m really excited about, and the academics I’m looking for. I don’t think I’ll find a school that’s a better fit for me,” Cueva said.

Even though she hasn’t been competing in her sport for too long, her love and passion for pole vaulting are endless. “I started my first track season as a sophomore coming off of a year and a half-long injury, and at the same time, the school reopened our pole vault program. I got an email from coach Aisha advertising it and decided to try it on a whim,” Cueva said. “I loved it and eventually decided to take it seriously, training year-round with a small side quest to compete in a women’s decathlon the summer before senior year.”

The recruitment process presents numerous challenges, especially for a newer athlete like Cueva. “It was really stressful to navigate the different timelines that schools were on with their recruiting and pass up some opportunities to wait for better ones. Because of how new I was, I also wasn’t really sure what caliber of schools would end up being interested in me or even which division I would end up being recruitable to,” she said. “I talked to a very wide range of schools and ended up being able to commit to one that I didn’t even think was a possibility for me.”

During the stressful time, she was grateful to have the support and guidance of her coach. “I want to thank my coach, Will Eggers, for coaching me entirely from the ground up. He’s the person responsible for teaching me how to vault, training me into a Division 1 athlete, and most importantly, for helping me fall in love with the sport,” Cueva said.

Her advice to other high school athletes is to find what you love. “My advice is to not be afraid to try something new, but ultimately to stick with something that you really love and are passionate about. You never know what you could be good at or fall in love with, and it’s so much easier to put in the work for something you enjoy,” she said.

On Sept. 18, senior Ella Mohr committed to play soccer at Bryn Mawr College. Her decision to commit to Bryn Mawr was based on the supportive and academic community. “I picked Bryn Mawr because I loved the atmosphere on campus and the values of the team. They are a very academic school, and it is widely understood that each player is a student-athlete, so there is a lot of support to help athletes balance their workload,” Mohr said.

Mohr had known for a while that she wanted to play collegiately, which kept her motivated throughout her career. “I decided I wanted to play collegiately when I started to do regular private training sessions with Sierra Enge from the Stanford Women’s Soccer Team when I was around 12,” she said. “I was motivated to play in college by my love for the sport and because I want to go as far as I can with it and be the best player I can be.”

She didn’t have many complaints about the process, in large part because of her father and private coaches. “It can be very difficult to keep up with the many emails and to plan the best way to approach a coach, along with school research, and the process being overall stressful and sometimes overwhelming,” Mohr said. “My dad always supported me because he coached my team up until I was around 13 and started my interest in the sport. Kennedy Wesley and Sierra Enge were also inspirational as I got to see them go through college and onto playing professionally.”

She wants other student-athletes to know that everything will work out if they put in the effort. “I would say to put yourself out there, you never know what positions a coach is looking for or the type of player they want, and for the same reason, don’t get down if you get no for an answer. There is a path for everyone, and with enough persistence, you can make it there,” Mohr said.

On Sept. 16, senior Anika Carpenter committed to play soccer at Penn State Berks. Her decision ultimately came down to the school’s location and academics. “I’ve been wanting to go somewhere on the East Coast forever, and everything from the campus to the area around just had my attention from the start. I really liked the fact that although I’ll be playing D3 soccer, it’s a great school for academics, and I get to do the major I want while playing the sport I love,” Carpenter said. 

Carpenter has always had collegiate soccer as a goal, and owes much of that to her supportive family. “Honestly, I think I’ve always wanted to play collegiate soccer, but I would say 7th grade is when I realized it was actually an option,” she said. “The support from my family and friends definitely helped because having those people on the sideline cheering me on is what kept the game fun and me wanting to pursue it even more.”

Despite the support from her family, Carpenter still found challenges in the recruitment process. “There were definitely days I was so done and ready to give up,” Carpenter said. Even though it was tough, she encourages other student-athletes to pursue the process. “In the end, if you love the sport and set your mind to it, it’s all fun. Do your work and never give up. Push yourself to be the best you can be,” she said.

On March 3, senior middle infielder Ryder Kelly committed to play baseball at UC Davis. Kelly, who knew he wanted to play in college since eighth grade, chose Davis because of its location and strong program. “I liked the coaches a lot and I thought Davis was a really cool place,” Kelly said. “The baseball team is also becoming really good really fast.”

Kelly attributes much of his success to his family, including his older brother Rowan Kelly ‘24, who currently plays baseball at UC Santa Barbara. “My family really helped me get my name out into the baseball world. My brother introduced me to multiple college coaches, and my dad introduced me to my college recruiter, who ultimately helped me find the perfect spot I want to play baseball,” he said.

His advice to other students looking to be recruited is to stay persistent and take advantage of your opportunities. “Understand that everyone’s recruitment process is different, and never give up on your dreams,” he said.

On Aug. 24, senior Jocelyn Chang committed to play volleyball at Tufts University. Her decision to attend Tufts largely came down to her love for the community and the immense opportunities the school provides. “I know this sounds kind of cliche, but as soon as I stepped on campus, I felt the energy there was really positive,” Chang said. “The student body is really impressive, and they have really intense and great research programs and opportunities to study abroad.”

Volleyball has not always been Chang’s primary sport. She started out as a competitive swimmer, but fell in love with volleyball thanks to her dad sparking an interest in it. “My love for the sport grew over time, and the communities I was able to build, and the skills I got to learn have been really awesome. I’m really excited to continue to do it in college,” Chang said.

Throughout her commitment process, she had endless support from her parents and coaches. “I definitely would like to thank my parents, especially my mom. She helped me a lot during the recruitment process, and she really helped me organize everything,” Chang said. “Also, my club and high school coaches always helped me improve my game and become a better athlete.”

Her advice to other students looking to play collegiately is to be consistent and remain determined. “It’ll definitely seem very tedious and frustrating, but if you really want to go somewhere, just send a lot of emails, and they’re gonna find a time to see you. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there,” Chang said. “It’s a long process, but it’s definitely worth it in the end.”

On July 30, senior Kylie Winters committed to play volleyball at Southwestern University. Her decision to go to Southwestern ultimately came down to the community. “I went to their camp this June, and the second I stepped in, everyone was like, ‘it’s a Cali girl,’ they were just so nice and welcoming, my type of people. They all gave off my vibe, so I knew this was the school I wanted to go to,” Winters said.

Volleyball has always been Winters’ main sport, and she had known for a while that she wanted to play collegiately. “I started playing club volleyball in fifth grade, and I’ve had a really great experience. I started off as a setter, then I switched to libero, but I’ve always loved volleyball,” Winters said. “Since middle school, I’ve wanted to play in college. It’s just been my goal.”

She owes a lot of the ease that came with her recruitment to her coaches. “My assistant coach, Coach Andy, helped me get in touch with Southwestern, and she was always supporting me when I got stressed,” Winters said. “Also, Coach Mark. He was always there for me and always gave me good advice.”

Her words of wisdom to other student athletes looking to continue their careers are to stay consistent with communication. “You have got to put in the work. I sent emails once every two weeks, which seems like a lot, but once you narrow down your list, it’s so easy.” Winters said. “Stay in communication with coaches. Just keep talking to coaches and you’ll find your school.”

On May 26, senior Scarlett Shenk committed to UCLA for rowing. Her decision to go to Los Angeles revolved around its stellar reputation and athletic programs. “I chose UCLA because it had an equal balance of academics and social opportunities,” Shenk said. “Also, the amenities and support you receive as an athlete are incredible.”

Shenk, who only started rowing in her junior year, was able to find success quickly and compete at a high level. “I had previously played water polo for nine years and was being recruited for that, but I fell out of love with the sport,” Shenk said. “After, my friend who rowed kept asking me to try it out, and when I finally gave it a shot, I loved it. With the muscle and endurance I had built up from water polo, I could apply it all to rowing.”

Her advice to other students seeking recruitment is to be confident and determined. “One really important value is faith. Believe in yourself and strive to achieve your goals. It will be hard, but it’s always possible to succeed.”

On May 15, senior Addison Finn committed to swim for UC San Diego. Her decision to go to San Diego was based on its prestigious academics and supportive environment. “The location was beautiful and had amazing STEM and biology programs, which is what I plan to pursue in college,” Finn said. “Also, when I visited UCSD, I not only felt that the team was warm and welcoming, but I felt a sense of belonging that I didn’t feel at other schools I visited. I walked away from it, really seeing myself being a part of that team in college.”

Finn, who began swimming competitively at the age of five, credits much of her success to her coaches and teammates. “My club coach and club teammates who had previously experienced the college recruitment process were incredibly helpful. They were truly the reason that I was able to navigate this process and find a school and swim program that I love,” she said.

Despite having a complicated recruitment process, Finn never hesitated in her dedication to play in college. “It takes a lot of effort to do the research and talk to coaches to find the program and school that is best for you and that you can see yourself at,” Finn said. “The recruiting process is definitely very tiring, but can also be very rewarding. I’ve had a love for swimming my entire life, and I couldn’t ever see myself not swimming.”

Her advice to other students looking to be recruited is to be persistent and keep an open mind. “The process can be exhausting, time-consuming, and at times disheartening—but in the end, you’ll find the school and program that truly fits you, maybe even one you didn’t expect.”

On May 15, senior Hailey Preuss committed to swim for the University of Pennsylvania. Her decision to attend Pennsylvania came down to its rigorous academics, and supportive, yet demanding team culture. “When I visited, I felt welcomed and was able to connect with the team very well,” Preuss said. “I feel like I will be challenged academically and athletically, which is what I was looking for.”

Preuss, who knew she wanted to swim in college from a young age, credits much of her success to her family. “My parents were huge support systems for me during the entire recruitment process. They helped me with research, preparing for meetings with coaches, and overall talked a lot of things through with me,” she said.

Despite support from her family, Preuss’s recruitment process did not come easily and involved a lot of stress. “While it is ultimately rewarding to be recruited, it took up so much of my time. It can be easier when you know exactly what you want, but if you don’t, you’re looking at such a huge pool of colleges while also trying to figure yourself out,” she said.

Her advice to other students looking to compete collegiately is to be resilient and punctual. “Start researching and thinking about your priorities early. Recruitment is hard, so remember to be persistent, tough, and social.”