National Signing Day typically falls on the first Wednesday of February where student athletes across the nation commit to play their sport of choice at the collegiate level.

Both Bonney Lake and Sumner saw a number of student athletes commit to the school of their choice.

Bonney Lake

The Panthers hosted two lunchtime ceremonies Wednesday, Feb. 4 to honor five seniors.

Courtney Campbell has been a four year starter at Bonney Lake as catcher for the Panthers’ softball team.

She signed her letter of intent to play at Weatherford Community College in Texas.

When deciding to commit to play in Texas, Campbell said “it is not fun playing in cold weather.”

She also added that she will be close to family.

Campbell has been playing softball for 12 years and her parents, Brian and Michelle are “excited to know that (someone wanted her) to come play at their school.”

Two Panther baseball players signed their letters of intent.

Stephen Hansen who plays infield and outfield signed his letter to Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon.

Hansen has been playing baseball since he was 4 years old, he said.

When choosing to start his collegiate career at Skagit, he said, “(they have) a good program, great coaches and is a place when I can succeed.”

After his time at Skagit is over, Hansen said he will look to play at a four year.

His top choices, he said, are Western Oregon University and Seattle University.

“I am going to work my tail off to make it into the draft and be able to play baseball as long as possible,” Hansen said.

The second baseball player to sign was right handed pitcher Grant Townsend.

Townsend signed his letter of intent to Central Arizona College.

He said his goal after his time at Central Arizona is to enter the draft.

When asked what besides baseball Townsend looks forward to about entering college, he couldn’t come up with anything besides.

“I am most excited about playing baseball,” he said.

Reasons that contributed to his decision to play in Arizona is that, Central Arizona is a top ranked school, he said.

He will be able to play games against newly drafted players, he added.

His parents, Jim and Sandra, are also excited for him to continue playing at the collegiate level.

“We never get tired of watching baseball,” Sandra said.

Senior Jacob Bohl signed his letter of intent Wednesday to stay local and play soccer at Seattle Pacific University.

His parents, Conrad and Christine, said he had been looking at schools across the nation.

They added that they are happy he chose to stay close to home.

“That way we can still go to his games and watch him play,” they said.

Bohl said he does hope to still play soccer after he graduates from Seattle Pacific.

The final student athlete honored at Bonney Lake’s ceremony was offensive and defensive lineman Riley Miller.

Miller will be attending the Colorado School of Mines.

In the 10 years that Bonney Lake has been open, football coach Jason Silbaugh said, Miller is the first Panther football player to sign a letter of intent to play college football.

Silbaugh said the School of Mines is both a “great school for education and (will be) a great football experience (for him).”

Miller had talked with a number of schools including Yale and Brown.

But when it came to making a decision, he said there were a number of reasons why he chose the School of Mines.

One of his reasons is that his dad also attended this school and their family is from Colorado, he said.

He added, that he fell in love with the school during his official visit.

And Miller said when comparing schools, he looked at academics first and the School of Mines was “on par academically” with the Ivy League schools he was in contact with.

“(And) it is the most affordable,” he added.

Miller’s parents, Tana and Tim, said they are excited he is going back home to Colorado.

“It will be a good fit for him,” they said. “He’ll do well down there.”

Miller’s high school career however is not over yet.

He was selected to play in the All-State game this June as one of only two players from the South Puget Sound League 3A division, Silbaugh said.

Aside from Miller, Silbaugh said in an email, linebacker and running back Baily Sulfridge also signed his own letter of intent to play at Montana Tech next year.

Sulfridge was not present during the lunchtime ceremonies.

Sumner

Sumner High School held its own letter of intent signing ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

Six seniors from the girls soccer team have committed to playing at the next level come fall.

Goal keeper Abby Smith and Brooke Lancaster will be staying local and have signed to play at Seattle Pacific University.

Smith finished last season with 13 shutouts.

Lancaster scored seven goals during her last season as a Spartan and had one assist.

Goal keeper Jamie Lange will also stay in Washington and has committed to the University of Puget Sound.

Lange also finished the season with a total of 13 shutouts.

Three Sumner defenders have signed letters to play outside Washington next season.

Dacia Alexander will play for Western Oregon University.

Alyssa Murray will play at the University of Wyoming.

And Rachel Stowell committed to play at the Dominican University in California.

Coach Robi Turley said there is “no doubt (this is) an amazing group of seniors.”

Over the past four years, the Spartans’ record is 71-8-1.

Sumner won the league title all four years, Turley said, and two district titles.

She added that the Spartans also made appearances in state the past four years and won the title for the 2A division twice.

“They are the most well rounded group of student athletes this soccer program has ever had  and the impact they have had on and off the field is inspiring,” Turley said.