Seven senior athletes made their decisions to their university of choice to continue their athletic careers while receiving an education on Wednesday during a National Signing Day ceremony in Stuver Auditorium during third period. They signed letters of intent to officially attend and compete for that particular college.

Here are profiles of the signees, plus their thoughts on the recruiting process and words of advice

Trinity Benson

Trinity Benson chose to attend to East Central Oklahoma University to play football as a wide receiver.

He has played football for 14 years. He said he chose the school because of the offense they run and the campus was a good fit for him. He plans to study kinesiology to become a physical therapist.

“Keep working,” Benson said, offering his advice. “Because dreams do come true.”

Spencer Grider

Spencer Grider signed with Southwestern Oklahoma State University to play football as a tight end.

Grider has played football for almost 10 years. He said he decided to attend his school because he likes that it’s close to home, but far enough to get away. He is currently undecided on what he wants to study but is leaning towards business.

“Just make sure you get your recruiting process early,” Grider said. 

Matthew Nemecek

Matthew Nemecek has decided on Paris Junior College to play baseball as an outfielder.

He has played baseball for 14 years. He said he chose the school because it will let him get his easy studies out of the way and give a better chance of being drafted than going to Division 1 school. He wants to study kinesiology, business, or architecture.

“Do your best,” Nemecek said. “Never give up. Go ahead and go for it.”

Madi Lackland

Madi Lackland signed her letter of intent to Cisco College yesterday.

Lackland has been playing soccer for 11 years, and hopes to play marking back in college. She said the most exciting part of signing was being able to tell her coach about the great news.

“I never thought I was going to play in college,” Lackland said.

Claire Greer

Greer decided to attend the University of Texas at Dallas yesterday to play forward/outside mid for their soccer team.

Greer has been playing soccer for twelve years and plans to major in psychology at UTD. Greer turned down other offers from St. Edwards University in Austin, as well as another from North Park University in Chicago. Greer said UTD was an easy choice for her because she has wanted to go there for a long time and that she had built a good relationship with the coach.

Emily Gesino

Emily Gesino signed her letter of intent to play soccer for Dallas Christian College yesterday.

She has been playing soccer for 14 years and has worked towards the goal of playing soccer in college for that time.

“I’ve always wanted to play college soccer,” Gesino said. “I want to be a nurse, but soccer has been my main goal and I’ve tried my hardest to succeed in it.”

Gesino plans to major in psychology and eventually move on to nursing school after Dallas Christian.

Kaitlyn Nauenburg

Kaitlyn Nauenburg has selected Dallas Christian College to play soccer as a center midfielder/sweeper.

Nauenburg has played soccer for 14 years. She said she is excited to play another four years with her teammate Gesino. She is currently undecided in what her future field of study will be.

“It will be a lot of fun,” Nauenburg said. “It may be difficult at times, but I think I will enjoy it.”