Nine PA senior athletes signed letters of commitment to their respective colleges on Wednesday, participating with schools across the country in National Signing Day. Specifically, the nine student-athletes signed the National Letter of Intent, which declares a high school student’s commitment to playing their sport at the collegiate level.
Before the seniors signed, Principal Todd Tarkenton congratulated the students on “maintaining high academic performance in the classroom while also excelling on the field or the court.” Additionally, Tarkenton acknowledged the students’ families, friends, teachers, coaches and teammates and the help and support they provided the student-athletes to be able to succeed.
Each student was introduced by Student Activities Coordinator Jauron Brumage, stating their sport, future college or university and intended area of study, while highlighting their accomplishments and favorite memories of their time at PA.
The following student-athletes signed their commitment, with their sport, committed college or university, and intended major:
Samantha Barbe: Softball, St. Andrews University, physical therapy/sports medicine
Grace Geluso: Bowling, Waldorf University, health promotion & exercise science, minor: sports management
Nolan Colwell: Baseball, Mid Atlantic Christian University
Luke Sweeney: Baseball, Richard Bland College
Tinasia Spencer: Basketball, Chowan University, criminal justice
Isabella Cobos: Soccer, Va. Commonwealth University (VCU), business marketing
Sarah Ellis: Field Hockey, University of Richmond, biology/molecular biology
Makenzie Short: Field Hockey, Va. Wesleyan University, elementary education
Leah Dinardo: Volleyball, University of Lynchburg, exercise science
For senior Isabella Cobos, playing soccer in college had always been a dream of hers, and it has been a long journey to see it become a reality. Cobos has been playing soccer since she was four years old, and since middle school, VCU was one of her top options.
At the beginning of high school, Cobos began playing for a club in Richmond, which meant a two-hour drive both ways, four times a week. She explains she made this decision because of the difference in club level in Richmond versus in the local area. “I think it was definitely worth it,” said Cobos. Because she played club on a higher level, Cobos got many different offers to a variety of colleges: “Being able to choose which college I go to…and have options…was really nice.”
The ability to travel to Richmond every week is where Cobos believes she owes the most to her parents, the people she says has helped her the most. “I love them so much,” says Cobos. “They sacrificed so much for me to be able to get up to Richmond every…day.”
Similarly, senior Sarah Ellis began playing her sport at a very young age, and knew she wanted to play in college.
Ellis chose University of Richmond because of family connections (her brother is currently attending and her mother is an alumnus), and because of falling in love with the school itself. “I just love the school,” Ellis explained. “I think the program is amazing; we got a new coach a couple weeks ago, so that’s super exciting and will be a good, new opportunity for us.”
According to senior Tinasia Spencer, her goal was always to play in college: “I met this goal by constantly working out and showing up to practices, and training and giving my best in the game every time.” Spencer chose Chowan University to continue her basketball career because of “the Christian community and the family oriented program,” which “made [her] feel at home as soon as [she] took the visit…they welcomed me with open arms and I loved it.”
For students also interested in playing sports in college, Cobos offered some advice. “I’d say don’t stop trying. Some colleges are just not going to want you for specific reasons…so don’t get down when a college doesn’t want you…a lot of girls I know think that being D1 is what you need to do to be accomplished, but there’s so many D2 and D3 schools that are really good…so don’t just think about one school, and keep your options open.”
