Moving on

By Jen Blanco
| 11:00 p.m. November 24, 2014

East County
Sports

Eighteen East County student/athletes, representing eight sports, made their college intentions known last week.

Lakewood Ranch had 14 athletes sign national letters of intent, the most the school has ever had sign at one time, during a signing ceremony Nov. 18.

Earlier in the week, Braden River and The Out-of-Door Academy each had two athletes commit to playing at the next level.

Braden River
Raelyn Bastein
• Sport: Softball

• Position: Outfield

• College choice: Webber International University

• Selling point: “It fits all of my expectations. It’s small; it has a family-like community with a short commute to home, where I feel confident that I will succeed in the real world after graduation and excel in softball at the collegiate level.”

• Other options: State College of Florida, Daytona State and Central Florida

• Signing Day sound bite: “To play at the next level means to me that not only has all my hard work paid off, but I have finally reached my goal. It means to me that I get to live my dream and continue playing the sport that I love.”

• Intended major: Sports management

• Moving on: “What I’m looking forward to the most about playing college softball is being pushed to reach my highest potential and all the memories and friends that I’m going to make.”

Andrew Hammett
• Sport: Golf

• College choice: Ferris State University

• Accolades: Shot 73 to win the Class 3A-District 14 individual title Oct. 13.

ODA
Kimmy Comito
• Sport: Lacrosse

• Position: Midfield

• College choice: American University

• Selling point: “It had everything I was looking for and wanted in a school. I love the team. They are my kind of people. I love the coaches, their philosophy and their plans for my years there, and playing Division I was always a goal of mine.”

• Signing Day sound bite: “It’s exactly what I wanted and I couldn’t ask for more. I love everything about American, and I’m so happy with the way everything worked out. I’m so confident this is where I want to be and I’ll be happy there. I’m lucky to say that. It’s rewarding, to put it simply.”

• Intended major: Communications

Desmond Lindsay
• Sport: Baseball

• Position: First base

• College choice: University of North Carolina

• Selling point: “I had always known that it was a great baseball school, but when I visited the campus I just loved it. Meeting with the coaches and seeing how much they care about their players made the decision easy.”

• Other options: Vanderbilt, USC, Notre Dame, Miami, Florida and Stanford, among others

• Signing Day sound bite: “It means everything. Just knowing that I will be able to play the game I love in college is a blessing.”

• Moving on: “I’m most looking forward to hopefully playing in the College World Series.”

• Accolades: Named MVP of the WWBA 17U National Championship

Lakewood Ranch
Kahlie Bickerstaff
• Position: Utility

• Sport: Softball

• College choice: Hillsborough Community College

Ashley Bongart
• Sport: Tennis

• College choice: University of Tennessee

• Selling point: “Tennessee was the best fit for me. I felt comfortable there, and I fell in love with the Tennessee tradition. Being a Lady Vol is important.”

• Other options: FSU, Auburn and Alabama

• Signing Day sound bite: “It’s unbelievable and so surreal. This has been a longterm goal of mine since I started tennis, and to see it all come true makes me happy because it was something I set out to do.”

• Intended major: Sports broadcasting

• Accolades: Won a doubles state championship as a freshman and has won singles district titles each of the past three years.

Colton Chupp
• Sport: Baseball

• Position: Pitcher

• College choice: University of South Carolina Upstate

• Selling point: “The coaches are great. I got a great feeling there, and the area has a very nice country life.”

• Other options: University of North Florida

• Signing Day sound bite: “It means a lot because this is something I started doing as a little kid.”

Talia Falco
• Sport: Track and Field

• Event: Heptathlon

• College choice: Kent State University

• Selling point: “Kent has the top fashion merchandising program in the country, and my major is what I’m going to school for.”

• Other options: North Carolina State, Bowling Green and Indiana

• Intended major: Fashion merchandising

Nicole Grant
• Sport: Beach Volleyball

• College choice: Florida Atlantic University

• Signing Day sound bite: “It hasn’t completely sunk in yet. It’s exciting and makes me even more anxious. Basically, I can’t wait.”

• Intended major: Psychology

• Accolades: Won four straight district titles and powered Lakewood to the Class 7A state semifinals for the second time in three years.

Luke Hanner
• Sport: Swimming

• College choice: Drexel University

• Selling point: “It was a combination of the school, the team, the coaches and their aspirations for the team. The team is up and coming, so hopefully I can set a lot of school records.”

• Other options: Brown, Colgate and Georgia Tech

• Signing Day sound bite: “I’m just happy everything was able to fall into place.”

• Intended major: Material science

• Accolades: Won the 200-yard freestyle at the Class 3A Swimming and Diving Championships Nov. 8.

Cameron Pearcey
• Sport: Baseball

• College choice: Coastal Carolina

• Selling point: “It was the perfect location with great teammates. I went on a visit and the coaches and facilities were just amazing.”

• Signing Day sound bite: “It means the world, and being able to sign with my buddies is even better. I have a different bond with baseball (than football). There’s a little something special about it.”

• Intended major: Sports management

Amanda Rak
• Sport: Softball
• Position: Pitcher
• College choice: Florida Institute of Technology
Courtney Rapp
• Sport: Volleyball
• College choice: State College of Florida
• Selling point: “It’s close to home, so my family can still come to my games. When I saw the team practice everyone was so sweet, and I definitely think I can grow there.”
• Signing Day sound bite: “It means a lot. Volleyball has been a huge part of my life, and I couldn’t see it ending here.”
• Intended major: Early childhood education
• Accolades: Helped lead Lakewood to the Class 7A state semifinals in her first season with the team.

Matt Roberts
• Sport: Baseball

• Position: Catcher

• College choice: Florida Gulf Coast

• Selling point: “I really liked the coaches, and the teammates were really welcoming. I like the feel of the program. It’s up and coming, and I’m excited about the experience. I knew it was the place I wanted to be.”

• Signing Day sound bite: “It’s a big stress reliever. I’ve been playing for years, so it’s (exciting) to know where I’m going.”

• Intended major: Physical therapy or sports management

Jackie Schoff
• Sport: Softball

• Position: Center field

• College choice: Florida International University

• Selling point: “I love the campus, and the team is great. They are close knit and very welcoming. They really (enjoy) softball and are there to win.”

• Other options: Auburn

• Signing Day sound bite: “It’s finally here. It’s been a long four years of sweat and tears. It hasn’t really hit me yet. I’m just (happy) my success and hard work is all paying off.”

• Intended major: Fitness

Talli Sharp
• Sport: Softball

• Position: Catcher

• College choice: Stetson University

• Selling point: “I want to go into law, and it has a good program.”

• Other options: Dartmouth

• Signing Day sound bite: “I’m so excited. I always wanted to play in college.”

• Intended major: Psychology

Scott Stout
• Sport: Baseball

• Position: Pitcher

• College choice: Florida Gulf Coast

• Selling point: “I liked the pitching coach, and my catcher from high school is going, too, so that’s good.”