Panther pair sign with college programs

A pair of Bonney Lake High School seniors formalized their athletic futures during a Nov. 22 signing ceremony at the school.

A pair of Bonney Lake High School seniors formalized their athletic futures during a Nov. 22 signing ceremony at the school.

Matthew Gretler inked his name to a National Letter of Intent, accepting a full athletic award to play baseball at Oregon State University and compete in the Pac-12 Conference.

Gretler is among 11 players who signed to play for coach Pat Casey in Corvallis.

Joining the Beavers is something of a family affair for Gretler. His brother Michael, also a Bonney Lake High grad, already is on the Oregon State roster.

The younger Gretler, an infielder, will head to Corvallis in the fall and still has the spring season to play at BLHS. Already, he has compiled an impressive resumé.

As a junior, Gretler was named South Puget Sound League 4A Most Valuable Player after hitting .464 and crushing seven home runs. He has been a Panther standout since first stepping onto the BLHS diamond, hitting .419 as both a sophomore and freshman and being named a first-team all-SPSL selection both years.

Wyatt Johnson will be attending Walla Walla University and playing soccer, having received both an academic and athletic award.

Johnson has grown up with the sport, beginning recreationally at the age of 5 with the Sumner Soccer Club. He then moved on to play several years for Mt. Rainier FC and spent the past two years of club soccer playing for RSA Elite.

Johnson and WWU connected through a website that helps pair student-athletes with prospective collegiate programs. Walla Walla coach William Burns initially made contact with Johnson a year ago and they had several conversations. Johnson was invited for an official on-campus visit in October 2016 and visited again in April 2017.

In his final club season, Johnson has played primarily as a right back, providing solid defense, as well as playing occasionally in the right outside midfield position, which resulted in three goals and two assists. His versatility and speed allows him to help move the ball forward quickly or get back to defend the net.

He will be pursuing a degree in computer science.