The excitement surrounding signing day isn’t always generated by some grand revelation, a player picking between two schools with fan bases collectively holding their breath.
No, sometimes the excitement comes from the culmination of years of waiting. A dream finally becoming official.
Hart High senior Abby Sweet verbally committed two years ago to play softball for Notre Dame, but she was excited to put pen to paper Wednesday, signing her national letter of intent.
“It’s a great place to be — great academics and a great softball team,” said Sweet, who batted .350 with three home runs and 27 RBIs last season.
She wasn’t the only Santa Clarita Valley athlete to sign on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period.
Her teammate, senior Kylie Norwood, signed with the University of Toledo, while fellow Hart students Claire Vogelsang (University of Oregon, acrobatics and tumbling) and Madi Fay (The Master’s University, women’s volleyball) also signed.
Canyon High’s Alexa Skorus Neely signed to swim at Cal Berkeley where she’ll be teammates with Saugus High graduate and Olympian Abbey Weitzeil.
Skorus Neely is the Cowboys’ record-holder in the 50-yard freestyle, the 100 breaststroke and the 200 individual medley.
At the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 finals last season, she took second in the 200 IM and third in the 100 breaststroke.
Neely, who couldn’t be reached for comment, is a four-time All-American.
Saugus High had two softball players sign Wednesday: catcher Cassidy Fitzgerald and center fielder Ryleigh Bermea. The duo helped lead the Centurions to a share of the 2016 Foothill League title.
“Both are amazing softball players and athletes,” said Saugus coach Julie Archer, “but most importantly, they’re great people. I’m so proud that they’re both going to continue their softball careers and get a great education.”
Trinity Classical Academy volleyball player Jessica Eblin signed with NCAA Division 1 Siena College in New York. Eblin led the Knights to their first-ever CIF divisional quarterfinal this season.
Valencia High holds its signing ceremony in the spring, but swimmer Nikol Popov signed with the University of Tennessee on Wednesday.
“Officially a Vol!” she tweeted Wednesday night. “Wouldn’t be here without all of my amazing friends and family.”
Popov didn’t swim for Valencia last season as she prepared for the U.S. Olympic swimming trials. However, she said earlier this year she plans to swim for the Vikings in the spring.
Viking Kayla Konrad, the reigning All-SCV Girls Basketball Player of the Year, signed with UC Davis.
Valencia baseball’s Ben Fariss (UC Santa Barbara), Chase Farrell (UCLA) and Trace Eldridge (Long Beach State) also signed.
West Ranch is slated to hold a ceremony Thursday, while Golden Valley will have athletes sign in February.
Stevenson Ranch resident Hunter Greene, one of the top prospects for the 2017 MLB Draft, signed with UCLA on Wednesday.
“We are proud to announce Hunter Greene has signed a NLI with the Bruins!” tweeted UCLA baseball. “Welcome to Westwood.”
