Los Alamitos High celebrated 12 of its student-athletes on Friday as they signed letters of intent to play their respective sports at the collegiate level starting in the fall.
Los Alamitos High celebrated 12 of its student-athletes on Friday as they signed letters of intent to play their respective sports at the collegiate level starting in the fall.
LAHS Principal Joshua Arnold opened the ceremony by recognizing the achievement of the 12 students, along with all student athletes who graduate from the school. Arnold said that being a student athlete embodies being a well-rounded student. He also noted that being an athlete is more than an athletic endeavor, but also an artistic one.
“We wish you nothing but the best, we are so proud of you,” Arnold told the 12 students.
Football player Daniel Szechy signed with North Central University in Chicago. He was introduced by his coach John Barnes, who called him a self-made man. But Barnes also recognized that while students like Szechy achieve these things, they receive help along the way. Barnes told the parents gathered at the ceremony that their guidance and leadership got their children to this point. Each student was asked to say a few words about their choice of school.
Two soccer players signed from the Griffins’ boy’s team, Zachary Way, with Vanguard University and Daniel Weis with the University of Chicago. During his speech, Weis recognized the help of parents and coaches, who he said molded their character and their minds, “so that we are successful as we go forward through college and life,” Weis said.
Two cross-country runners also signed on Friday, Jessica McIntyre and Abhinav Nagpal. McIntyre signed with Cal State Monterey and Nagpal signed with the University of Redlands. And Griffin track star and multiple school record-holder, Jordan Agnew signed with Cal State Long Beach.
Two four-year starters for the Griffins’ boy’s water polo team also signed their letters on Friday. Head coach Dave Carlson said that having freshmen start at the varsity level is rare in the sport, which showed that Max Merrill and Chandler Jarrels were truly exceptional athletes in the sport. Both students signed to play at Cal Berkeley.
“It’s been an honor to coach them the last four years,” Carlson said.
Darren Kusumoto signed to play basketball for Occidental and volleyball player Cristina Maietta signed to play at the UC Riverside.
While the school does not offer a crew team, athletes from the school have opportunities with the Long Beach Junior Crew club. Two Los Alamitos High athletes earned college acceptance for crew. Alyssa Lua signed with San Diego State University and Molly O’Connell signed with Southern Methodist University. O’Connell thanked her coaches for pushingher every day and helping her get into the school of her dreams. All of the athletes noted the support system they had to reach college. Coaches, teammates and mostly family have given them the opportunity and challenge that now stands before them in college athletics and academics. Lua summed up the support.
“Day by day and step by step, my family has been my best support system,” Lua said.
