It was a big day for several local athletes signing with NCAA Division I programs, and for a couple of swimmers, it’s all part of one special week.
Jessica Bottelberghe of Columbia River and Nikki Cannon of Hudson’s Bay on Wednesday signed national letters of intent to Boise State.
But before they become Broncos, they will be swimming one last time at the state championships this weekend in Federal Way.
“To combine that in the same week is really awesome,” Cannon said.
“I just want to go out in style,” Bottelberghe said.
Several Clark County high school athletes will be going to college in style, with scholarships.
Over at Evergreen High School, baseball pitcher Tommy Thorpe signed with the University of Oregon. Basketball standout Justine Joudrey signed with Idaho State’s women’s team.
At Skyview, baseball pitcher Kody Watts inked his signature with the University of Portland. Summer ball teammate and infielder Caleb Whalen of Union was expected to sign with the Pilots later on Wednesday.
Melissa Williams of Camas said Tuesday that she planned on signing her letter to Eastern Washington University on Wednesday. The Columbian’s All-Region girls basketball player of the year last season said she wanted to have a quiet celebration at home.
Also, P.J. Jones of Mountain View will sign with Washington State for baseball today.
The signing ceremonies started early, with Bottelberghe signing at 8:30 a.m. at Columbia River.
“I was so stressed out I wasn’t going to find a school that I did like,” she said. “When I was on their campus, I felt an overwhelming sense of confidence as I was walking around.”
Also a strong runner for the Columbia River track and field team, Bottelberghe said her swim coaches at Boise have told her they will support her decision to run for the Broncos, as well.
“It was a pretty big deal,” Bottelberghe said. “I feel, in track, there is so much more that I can do. I feel I have some unfinished business.”
Cannon signed her letter in front of a live (in-house) television audience at Hudson’s Bay.
“That was cool, and I got flowers,” she said.
Cannon also acknowledged being a bit nervous. Not from her decision to sign with Boise State, but by signing in front of the cameras.
“My signature looks kind of weird,” she said.
There was a small ceremony at Evergreen for Thorpe and Joudrey.
“I’ve always been a Duck fan. I’ve been going to Duck games since I was 5, 6, or 7,” said Thorpe, a power-pitching left-hander.
Interestingly, he never dreamed of playing baseball for the Ducks because Oregon did not have a program until recently.
But when the university revived the baseball program, it was only natural for Thorpe to go there.
“All my family’s gone to U of O,” said Thorpe, who was the 4A Greater St. Helens League player of the year this past spring.
Joudrey, who led Evergreen to the district championship last winter, said she feels “amazing” to be going to Idaho State.
“I was born in Idaho, and I just absolutely love it, the weather, the people there,” she said. “This is my home. I absolutely love it.”
She said she wanted to sign in this, the first signing period, prior to her final high school season.
“It feels so good knowing I’m all set,” she said. “A weight is off my shoulders. I don’t have to worry about it during the season.”
Watts had a couple of friends, some coaches, and his parents on hand to sign with at Skyview. He had earlier said he was going to sign with Washington State, but changed his mind after official visits.
The class sizes at Portland were better suited for learning, it is closer to home so his parents can easily attend his games, and UP’s pitching coach, Larry Casian, is well respected in the game. Watts said his priority for baseball is to one day play professionally, and working with Casian could help him achieve that goal.
“I’d like to learn from someone who’s been there,” Watts said.
He also is excited that his youth ball teammate, Union’s Whalen, will be joining him at Portland. The two were on the same team years ago, then reunited this summer on the same team.
Later this week, Woodland softball ace Emily Holt is expected to sign with Nebraska.
Gymnasts Kalliah McCartney and Kayla Wonderly both plan to accept scholarships from Sacramento State.
Both attend CAM High School in Battle Ground through the running start program at Clark College.
Teammates since meeting at age 6 at Naydenov Gymnastics in Vancouver, they currently compete for the Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland. McCartney and Wonderly said they plan to sign their letters of intent on Friday.
And getting a jump on next school year’s signing period, Skyview junior Sheaffer Skadsen has announced her intention to sign with Arizona for soccer. She will not be able to sign until February of 2012.
The Columbian will publish signings or verbal declarations for all four-year colleges when we learn of them. Coaches and athletic directors can e-mail us their recruiting news at sports@columbian.com.
