For players who have dedicated their lives to sports, National Signing Day is a milestone in their careers: the beginning of a new stage in their journey as athletes. On February 3rd, student-athletes and all across the country announced and finalized their commitments to their respective colleges as student-athletes. Kaitlin Fregulia (12), Megan McComas (12), Sam Layman (12) , and Emily Atkinson (12) participated in Signing Day together which was fitting because the four have played together for several years as a part of West High’s highly competitive and successful varsity girls’ soccer team, which recently won the title of League Champions for the second year in the row since entering the Pioneer League.

Gratitude was in the atmosphere as Layman felt excited and thankful that she had the opportunity to “not only able to sign to play college soccer” with Sonoma State University, but also that she “got to do it with [her] best friend,” Atkinson, who signed to play with Marymount University.  McComas said she was “super excited to become a 49er,” referencing the mascot of her soon to-be school, California State University Long Beach, where she’ll be playing alongside one of her current teammates. Fregulia, who had been counting down the days until signing, wanted to thank everyone who “supported [her] and believed in [her],” feeling “beyond blessed for the opportunity.”

Signing day was a proud culmination of the efforts of individual players and a small stepping stone to the successful lives they will lead.