Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Memorial, Northbrook, Spring Woods and Stratford High School student-athletes sign letters of intent to play collegiate sports

May 19, 2022 2:49 PM

Student-athletes from Memorial, Northbrook, Spring Woods and Stratford high schools committed to playing sports in college during their respective 2022 Signing Day events. The student-athletes were celebrated with balloons and cake alongside their friends, family and coaches.

“As an athletic department, we are absolutely thrilled to see our student-athletes have the opportunity to continue their athletic career while pursuing a degree at the collegiate level,” said Paige Hershey, Spring Branch ISD executive director of athletics. “We know our Spring Branch community is very proud of all these student-athletes, and we join them in expressing our congratulations and pride on this big day.”

Todd Rankin, Stratford athletic director, mentioned that only about 2% of high school student-athletes receive sports scholarships, and about 7% play in college. He emphasized that this was a “tremendous achievement” and encouraged students to persevere through this new chapter.

SBISD is committed to Every Child achieving T-2-4 success. Events like this reinforce that vision and ensure graduates are actively reaching that goal.

“The accomplishment of these student-athletes is a tribute to their commitment to being the best they can be,” said Gary Koch, Memorial athletic director. “It is also a statement of how the school supports their academic and athletic development.”

Students committed to schools across the country, including Nebraska Wesleyan University, McPherson College and Shaw University.

“I am very proud of our students and I am confident that they will excel in their future endeavors,” said Jennifer Collier, Spring Woods principal.

Athletes in lower grade levels attended the ceremonies and were inspired to work hard to reach what their fellow peers have accomplished.

“This is a special day for our athletes. They have worked extremely hard on their skills on the field, as well as their academics, in order to fulfill this dream,“ said Northbrook athletic director Andres Gomez. “We are very proud of these young athletes and look forward to watching them as they continue to reach new heights of success through higher education.”

Congratulations to these student-athletes!

Memorial High School:

Luca Burns, Colorado School of Mines (Swimming)
Jada Gibson, Stephen F. Austin State University (Track)
Adam Peavy, Texas Lutheran University (Baseball)

Northbrook High School

Gilberto Arreozola, University of St. Thomas (Baseball)
Miguel Grijalva, Our Lady of the Lake University (Baseball)
Arnez Semien, Erie College (Football)
Ramon Urbina Vasquez, University of Texas (Baseball)
Tyler Wilson, McPherson College (Football)

Spring Woods High School:

Cy Cripps, Texas Lutheran University (Football)
Francisco Cruz, Huston-Tillotson University (Soccer)
Abigail Davila, Angelina College (Soccer)
Alijah Hall, Texas Lutheran University (Football)
Isaiah McKnight, East Texas Baptist University (Football)
Anthony Rodriguez, East Texas Baptist University (Football)

Stratford High School:

Everett Bates, University of Texas at Dallas (Basketball)
Keshaun Bell, Nebraska Wesleyan University (Basketball)
Mia Bent, Quinnipiac University (Track)
Jason Castro, Texas Lutheran University (Soccer)
Victor Davis, St. Thomas University (Track)
Callum Glover, College of Wooster (Swim)
Jasmine Green, Blinn College (Basketball)
Luke Hatcher, Southwestern University (Basketball)
Edmond Ndaye, Crowder College (Soccer)
Patrick Ndaye, Shaw University (Soccer)
Mikayla Osborne, Clayton State University (Track)

View the full photo album of celebrations.

During a previous Signing Day on Feb. 2, an additional group of 15 student-athletes from Memorial, Spring Woods and Stratford high schools committed to competing at the next level for their chosen colleges and universities. View the full story.

Signees included:

Memorial High School