Some signed Wednesday. Some will sign Thursday. Or in a couple of days.
But whenever they did or will, this is a special time for a number of high school athletes from Clark County.
Wednesday was National Letter of Intent Day for a number of sports, the first day of the early signing period.
By the end of the week, Clark County will have several athletes signed with Pacific 12 Conference programs. Plus more athletes will be taking their talents to other Division I programs.
Columbia River softball standout Teaghan Cowles signed with Stanford on Wednesday and is expected to have a signing ceremony at her school on Thursday.
“It’s a combination of a lot of hard academic and athletic work,” Cowles said. “It feels good to sign my name and officially go to Stanford.”
Cowles said she received her confirmation of acceptance in late September. She is just as proud of that as any athletic accomplishment.
“I reached their academic standards,” she said.
Two baseball players also are headed to the Pac-12.
Preston Jones of Mountain View plans on signing with Oregon State this week.
“It’s basically a dream come true,” said Jones, who also excelled on the Mountain View football team. “(Thursday) I get to make it official.”
Brady Whalen of Union baseball is going to be Jones’ rival at the University of Oregon. Whalen has wanted to be a Duck since baseball returned to the university in 2009.
“It was an easy decision. I knew it was the right fit,” Whalen said, adding that this has been a blessing for him. “I’m not just going to be on a baseball team. I’m going to be part of a family.”
Brooke Van Sickle, who has helped Battle Ground to the state volleyball tournament this weekend, signed her letter with the University of Oregon early Wednesday.
“I’ve been waiting for this day all my life,” Van Sickle said. “So relieved to have finally signed. It’s an amazing day.”
Van Sickle said she wanted to stay close to home, loves the rain and the Northwest, and she wanted to compete in the Pac-12.
In another Pac-12 signing, Elle Tilkin of Hockinson — a three-sport athlete — was expected to sign with the University of Washington for crew.
The Pac-12 did not get all of the athletes, though.
Ashley Watkins of Battle Ground volleyball signed with Montana — giving the Tigers two Division-I volleyball signees on Wednesday.
Another Tiger, in a different sport, is going across the country for her college. Battle Ground softball pitcher Parker Boyd said she expects to sign with Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.
Union has four athletes the school plans to celebrate this week at a ceremony: Whalen as well as Mo Spieth, Taylor Hartley, and Reilly Whitlock.
Spieth, the 4A Greater St. Helens League co-player of the year in softball the past two springs, will be hitting home runs for Sacramento State.
Whitlock, the 4A GSHL girls golfer of the year, is expected to sign with St. Martin’s University in Lacey. Her teammate, Taylor Hartley, is expected to play golf for Portland State.
Prairie’s Cherita Daugherty, The Columbian’s All-Region girls basketball player of the year last winter, said she is signing with Idaho this week.
“It’s a lot of pressure off, just to know it’s done,” she said of the recruiting process. “Once I’m done with high school basketball, I get the chance to play college basketball, which is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m honored to get to go there to play.”
Brian Humphreys of Camas, the 2013 Class 4A state champion boys golfer, signed with Boise State. Humphreys has finished first, second and fourth in the state championships.
Jessica Flanagan of Woodland, who expects to earn 12 varsity letters by the time she graduates, will play softball for Seattle University.
Kienan Walter of King’s Way Christian boys basketball will become the program’s first Division I signee when he signs with North Dakota.
He liked the “family atmosphere” there when he visited, plus he appreciated the fact that the North Dakota coaches traveled to Vancouver to visit him.
Columbia River will also celebrate Grayson Burke (track and field) going to Western Washington and Page Heller (volleyball) going to Colorado State-Pueblo.
Heller and the rest of the volleyball team are playing in the Class 3A state tournament this weekend. Teammate Evi Wilson, a Division I recruit, said Wednesday she will be signing at a later date.
Note: The Columbian publishes the names of high school athletes who will continue on to four-year colleges. To report a signing, please e-mail sports@columbian.com
