University of Arizona commit Jaclyn Inclan. (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
FREE SIGNING DAY PHOTOS HERE
120 miles, eight schools and 70 athletes, and AllSportsTucson.com was there to capture and preserve the many special moments for the families and for the local community.
The day started out at Ironwood Ridge where ten standouts signed their names to play at the next level including University of Arizona indoor and beach volleyball commit Jaclyn Inclan.
“I’m so nervous yet this is literally my dream come true,” Inclan said. “I was looking for a school in California but Arizona is everything I have ever wanted.”
Soccer standout Mariah Loya was equally excited. “I’m ready to leave,” Loya said. “This day has finally come. I’m happy.”
A drive to Pueblo was next where 16 athletes were recognized including NAU commit Michael Beltran.
“I went to Junior Day at NAU and I really fell in love with the program,” the defensive lineman said. “It came down to my last three choices and I accepted the offer to be a preferred walk on. It was the best choice for me.”
Mya Cabral is going to play softball for Pima. “It’s close to home and I’ll be able to study secondary education, Cabral said. “I had some teachers make an impact on my life and I’d like to do the same for others.”
Shadie Dabdoub was part of a large group of athletes trying out for the Eastern Arizona cheer squad and she made it. “It was a last-minute thing,” Dabdoub said. “There were about 30 people trying out for 12 spots and they called me back two days later. I said yes of course!”
Dick Tomey and his wife Nanci Kincaid were on hand at Pueblo along with his former Arizona standout Kelvin Eafon. Eafon is the basketball coach at Pueblo. (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
Next up was a drive back to Mountain View to see 12 athletes celebrate including Arizona football commit Isaiah Lovett.
A VIDEO INTERVIEW OF LOVETT IS HERE
Andrea Hernandez is slated to be an infielder for Chandler-Gilbert. “It feels awesome to get a chance to play some more,” Hernandez said. “I’m ready to go play. I’m really excited.”
A drive across town brought us to The Gregory School where our Southern Arizona Basketball Player of the Year, Taylor Thompson was signing her name to play for Concordia.
“It’s like a huge weight off my shoulders,” Thompson said. “I’m going to go in and work hard for a spot. I will always prove I belong, prove I deserve a spot on the floor.”
Back across town, Tucson High followed where 10 athletes signed their names, including volleyball standout Elias Baer. Baer is the first male volleyball athlete from Tucson High to earn a scholarship since Joe Kay in 2004.
“It’s a little bit of a relief,” Baer said. “I feel blessed by my family, coaches and teammates. I couldn’t have got this far without the platform they gave me to succeed.
“The competition in Tucson has grown and it’s nice to know I have been a part of it,” Baer added.
A long drive east to Rincon/University followed where seven athletes were honored then an even longer drive followed to Oro Valley where nine athletes from Canyon del Oro were recognized.
Salpointe held their ceremony at the end of the day also and our editor, Javier Morales, was on hand to witness that important event.
ALL photos from this long day are FREE for the families to enjoy. We apologize for any misspellings or incorrect schools. Please let us know so we can correct any errors.
Kevin Meza (Courtesy Photo)
Buena/Cochise
Garret Jackson, University of St. Francis, Basketball
Kevin Meza, Ottawa Univsersity, Football
Legendary softball coach Kelly Fowler addresses the parents at CDO (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
Canyon del Oro
Arylene Campos, Georgetown, Softball
Illena Santos, Central Arizona, Softball
Mason Myhre, Yavapai, Baseball
Michael Santorelli, Pima, Baseball
Jared Sheeley, Northern Arizona, Football
Zachary Hightower, Lawrence Tech, Football
Caiden Plummer, Colorado Mesa, Cycling
Michael Madigan, Embry Riddle, Cross Country
Chelsey Murphy, Western State Colorado
Courtney Brown (Pima)
Flowing Wells/Pima
Courtney Brown,Stephen F. Austin, Softball
Taylor Thompson with her coach Josh Dickinson. (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
The Gregory School
Taylor Thompson, Concordia, Basketball
Some of the top athletes in Arizona started the day off at Ironwood Ridge (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
Ironwood Ridge
Tommy Baden, Ohio Wesleyan, Football
Niko Madlangbayan, Ottawa University, Football
Soma Ikaika Helu, California College of the Redwoods, Football
Jaclyn Inclan, University of Arizona, Indoor and Beach Volleyball
Makenna Ohlmaier, Lewis and Clark, Volleyball
Mariah Loya, Maryville, Soccer
Cole Gerken, Pima, Basketball
Jacob Allen, Cal State Bakersfield, Baseball
Greg Brown, Gateway, Baseball
Ethan Krabbendam, RIASA, Soccer
Nate Benjamin, Concordia, Golf
A great day at Mountain View (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
Mountain View
LaRon Cook, Missouri Baptist, Football
Devin Easby, Iowa Central, Wrestling
Andrea Hernandez, Chandler Gilbert, Softball
Devin Johnson Mahoney, Concordia(Minnesota)/Pima, Football
Frankie Lee, St. Olaf, Wrestling
Isaiah Lovett, University of Arizona, Football
Sara Mejia-Angulo, Chandler Gilbert, Softball
Samantha Quezada, Lassen Community College, Softball
Caleb Ryden, Pima, Football
Kaitlin Schmich, Pima, Volleyball
Sebastian Spencer, Colorado State, Football
(Courtesy Photo)
Palo Verde
Jacqueline Igulu, Benedictine, Soccer
Khadijo Mohamed, Benedictine, Soccer
Michelle Sigala, Indiana Tech, Soccer
Former Wildcat and NFL standout Brandon Sanders introduced the athletes at Pueblo. Sanders is the AD and the football coach at Pueblo. (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
Pueblo
Jorge Gonzalez Ochoa, Western New Mexico, Cross Country
Kamryn Gastelum, Gateway, Softball
Mya Cabral, Pima, Softball
Araceli Loya, Tohono O’odham, Basketball
Isaias Lucero, Pima, Baseball
Cedric Morgan Cotton, Basketball
Brianna Gomez, Gateway, Softball
Annalisa Verdugo, Pima, Soccer
Alexis Urtuzuastegui, Hawkeye Community College, Soccer
Adrian Madero, Baseball
Angel Faras, Williston, Baseball
Hansel Ponce Martinez, Davenport, Volleyball
Shadie Grajeda Dabdoub, Eastern Arizona, Cheer
William Bertsch, Pima, Track & Field
Marisol Flores, Wentworth, Volleyball
Michael Beltran, NAU, Football
Rincon/University athletes took center stage (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
Rincon/University
Aminata Kenyawani, Pratt Community College, Cross Country
Melanie Ginther, Occidental, Softball
Erik Orr, Air Force Academy, Swimming
Will Birchard, Claremont McKenna, Soccer
Deja Lee, St. Edward’s, Softball
Malik Hunter, Bacone College, Basketball
Lilli Hanna, Chandler Gilbert, Volleyball
Carissa Spalt (Courtesy Photo)
Sabino
Carissa Spalt, Eastern Michigan, Volleyball
Sahuaro (Courtesy Photo)
Sahuaro
Jacob Adams, Wayland Baptist, Baseball
Morgan Nash, Missouri Southern State, Volleyball
Kylee Martin, Pima, Soccer
Lexy Coons, Grand Canyon, Softball
Hailey Ward, West Texas A&M, Softball
Ariana Gomez, Pima, Softball
Sam Kalberer, Scottsdale, Baseball
Ivan Hostetler, Barstow, Baseball
Brendan Gary, Buena Vista, Basketball
Devan Gary, Buena Vista, Basketball
Adriana Leon (Sahuarita Photo)
Sahuarita
Adriana Leon, Western New Mexico, Volleyball
A great day to be a Lancer (Javier Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
Salpointe
Michael Herington, Willamette University, Football
William Juniper, Vermont, Track
Nicolette Paredes, Peninsula College, Soccer
Cameron Tober, Monterey Peninsula College, Football
Luke Wallace, Wabash College, Football
Once a Badger, Always a Badger (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
Tucson
Elias Baer, Goshen College, Volleyball
Veronica Machado, Eastern Arizona, Cheer
Marissa Cardenas, Eastern Arizona, Cheer
Alize McCormick, NAU, Basketball
Nicole Zazueta, Hawaii, Softball
Mia Trejo, UNLV, Softball
Anahiramar Lopez, Pima, Track & Field
Cesar Gastellum, Pima, Track and Field
Jacob Federico, Pima, Baseball
Mike Escobedo, Central College, Wrestling
Margarita Corona, Pima/Stephen F. Austin, Softball
FOLLOW @ANDYMORALES8 ON TWITTER!
Andy Morales was recognized by the AIA as the top high school reporter in 2014 and has been a youth, high school and college coach for over 30 years. His own children have won multiple state high school championships and were named to all-state teams. Competing in hockey, basketball, baseball and track & field in high school, his unique perspective can only be found here and on AZPreps365.com. Andy was named a Local Hero by the Tucson Weekly for 2016. Contact Andy Morales at AMoralesMyTucson@yahoo.com
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