Education
Local athletes sign college letters of intent
March 10th, 2010
By Valerie Schmalz
Marin Catholic’s Murphy to UCLA, SI’s Leung to UC Davis
UCLA signed Marin Catholic High School’s Kathyrn Murphy to a swimming scholarship and UC Davis signed St. Ignatius College Preparatory’s Megan Leung.
Murphy, of Novato, was a 2008 Olympic Trials qualifier in the 50 meter freestyle. In 2008, she won both the 50 and 100 free crowns at the California North Coast Sectional. Murphy has won the Marin County Athletic League 50 and 100 free titles the past three years and holds league records in both events. She was named the Marin County Swimmer of the Year in 2008.
Leung, a senior at SI, was a three-time All-American in the 100 butterfly. She helped lead her team to a seventh-place finish at the Central Coast Section Championships in 2009 after finishing fourth in 2007 and 2008. Leung is also a four-year member of the California Scholarship Federation.
In addition, these SI student athletes have signed letters of intent: Rosyln Pontius, soccer, Washington State; Nick Alimam, lacrosse, Kenyon College; Time Amick-Alexis, track, UC Irvine; Brett Cde Baca, football, Trinity College; Olivia Corwin, crew, UC Berkeley; Rob Emery, lacrosse, University of Virginia; Laura Garcia, soccer, San Jose State; Megan Leung, swimming, UC Davis; Eilise O’Connor, basketball, University of Missouri Kansas City ; Dan O’Leary, soccer, USF; Giancarlo Sangiacomo, lacrosse, Providence College; Dylan Smith, golf, USF.
SHCP’s Parrish to San Jose State
Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory senior Doug Parrish signed a letter of intent to continue his football career with the Spartans of San Jose State University in the fall.
“Doug Parrish has been an integral part of the Fighting Irish football program for four years and has worked very hard to get to this point. The entire coaching staff is excited and very proud of Doug and knows he will succeed at SJSU and represent the Irish with the utmost pride,” Irish coach John Lee said.
In his final season in an Irish uniform Parrish was named to 1st Team All-WCAL as well as Team Defensive MVP.
Serra’s Harvey to UC Santa Barbara, Pritchett to Santa Clara, Smith to Northwestern
Three Padres signed national letters of intent with prestigious universities on Feb. 3, Junipero Serra High School announced.
Track star Nate Harvey signed with UC Santa Barbara, water polo player Matthew Pritchett with Santa Clara University and football player Adonis Smith signed with Northwestern University.
“Gentlemen, you are to be commended,” Athletic Director Kevin Donahue said. “Not too many students sign letters of intent. You have a true gift. Today is more than a celebration of athletes – it's also a celebration of the families who have made a commitment to their sons.”
Serra’s Nichols to UC Davis
The signings of three classmates followed the news that Serra pitcher Matt Nichols signed to play baseball with UC Davis. Nichols also excels academically and is a member of the National Honor Society.
“It was a big surprise and I’m very grateful,” Nichols said. He compiled a 6-1 record for the Padres during his junior year with a 3.23 ERA. He had 36 strikeouts in 39 innings. Last year, the Padres won the WCAL and the CCS Championships.
“Matt leads by example and is a model of what we look for in a student athlete,” Serra head baseball coach Craig Gianinno said.
Matt will study exercise biology and hopes to become a strength and conditioning coach or an athletic trainer. He was surprised last spring during a college visit when he was offered the scholarship by UC officials.
From March 12, 2010 issue of Catholic San Francisco.
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