Local athletes sign on with college programs

Darian Gore, White River, Basketball

Darian Gore, White River, Basketball

White River High senior Darian Gore has signed a scholarship offer to attend Humboldt State University.

The Hornet basketball player signed with the Lumberjacks during a late-morning ceremony Thursday, Nov. 12, at White River. She will be a part of the class that enters Humboldt in the fall of 2016.

The 6-foot-2 Gore was a second-team, all-South Puget Sound League 2A selection a season ago.

Here’s what Humboldt State coach Joddie Gleason had to say about Gore, provided by email:

“She will provide length and back row defense to our team along with the ability to score from inside and out. Darian is the type of student-athlete that will fit in perfectly into our system. She is an outstanding student, with a strong work ethic both on the court and in the classroom and is a person with strong character. The Marine Biology department will be gaining another great candidate into their program. With the graduation of eight seniors in this year’s class, it was important for us to find a quality post player. We did in Darian Gore.”

Humboldt State is an NCAA Division II institution, competing in the 13-team California Collegiate Athletic Association. Conference competitors include institutions like Cal Poly Pomona, Chico State, Cal State Monterey Bay and U.C.-San Diego.

Humboldt, the northernmost institution in the CCAA, is in Arcata, Calif.

Quinn Breidenbach, Enumclaw High, Softball

Enumclaw High senior Quinn Breidenbach made a verbal commitment some time ago, but just recently signed a formal letter-of-intent to play softball for the University of Massachusetts.

The official signing ceremony took place at Enumclaw High, where Breidenbach is a senior.

A dominating pitcher, Breidenbach is one of seven UMass signees.

Breidenbach dominated on the mound in 2015 for Enumclaw High School and was the 2015 Washington State Gatorade Player of the Year. As a junior in 2015, she posted a 15-3 record and a miniscule 0.74 ERA. In 361 innings pitched throughout her prep career, Breidenbach has fanned 596 hitters.

In her three years of high school fastpitch, Breidenbach has been an all-South Puget Sound League 3A selection following each season.

“Quinn is a fierce competitor and will complement our pitching staff in a number of ways,” UMass coach Kristi Stefanoni said. “She has a hunger for winning and improving, so that in my mind makes her the complete package. Quinn’s numbers and awards speak for themselves but she will be successful here because she puts her team and teammates first.”

The University of Massachusetts participates in the Atlantic 10 Conference, competing against teams from Dayton, Fordham, George Mason, George Washington, La Salle, Rhode Island, Saint Joseph’s, Saint Louis and St. Bonaventure.

During the 2015 season, which opened in early February and went into May, UMass placed eighth in the 10-team conference, compiling a league record of 8-14 and an overall mark of 15-28.

Josh Riley, Sumner High, Track and Field

Sumner High’s Josh Riley is now officially signed, sealed and delivered – on his way to Missoula, Mont., having signed a national letter-of-intent to become a track and field athlete at the University of Montana.

Riley (5-10, 180)signed with the Big Sky Conference program during a Nov. 18 ceremony at Sumner High. He will join the Grizzlies in the fall of 2016.

Riley has been a standout performer for the Spartan track and field program. At last year’s Class 3A state meet, he took second-place honors in the high jump, clearing 6 feet, 6 inches. He also had qualified for state in both hurdle races, finishing fourth in the 300-meter run and eighth at 110 meters. He also was a part of Sumner’s state-qualifying relay teams.

That versatility will serve him well, as Montana has recruited Riley as a decathlete. The decathlon features 10 events involving running, jumping and throwing.

“Josh is one of those special athletes who knows what hard work is and he’s not afraid of it. He’s quick, he’s fast, he’s got good foot speed, he can jump. He’s going to be very solid for us,” UM coach Brian Schweyen said. “I’m extremely happy to have him, and I think we’re lucky to have him. He aspires to be great, so I think we can do great things with him.”

The Big Sky is a sprawling conference with three member schools in California, two in Montana and Utah, and one each in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, North Dakota, Colorado and Arizona.