Reece Karalus has been checking the weather on his smart phone a lot lately. As a downpour rages outside the windows at Mount Si High School, Karalus smiles when he notes the temperature in southern California.
“It’s going to be 70 this week,” he says.
Karalus has a reason to smile. Freshly signed to play ball next year for Santa Clara University, the senior is among a group of Valley athletes who have solidly inked their futures after graduation.
Karalus, a Mount Si starting pitcher, joins football player Josh Mitchell, softball player Maura Murphy and soccer players Nate Popp and Davis Karaica in signing college papers in a ceremony early Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Mount Si commons.
Meanwhile, at Cedarcrest High School, girls soccer players Gwen Bieck, McKenna Swanson and Maggie Pleis have finalized their college decisions.
Mitchell, who happens to be entering regionals as a defending state champ wrestler this week, has been wearing orange since August as an Oregon State University signee.
But on Wednesday, signing his scholarship forms, “it’s official, written on paper, that I’ll be going there,” Mitchell said. “Five months away, I’ll be on campus.”
He expects to red-shirt as a lineman at Corvalis; his brother, Taylor, a Humboldt freshman this year, will return soon to help him train.
Murphy, a Mount Si softball team leader and shortstop, has signed to play with George Washington University in Washington, DC. Mount Si boys soccer player Davis Karaica signed up to play at Seattle Pacific University.
For Karalus, as for Popp, who signed to play soccer for Western Washington University, the decision frees their spirits, allowing these athletes to focus on the season to come.
“It’s a weight off my shoulders,” Karalus said. “I don’t have to think about who’s watching me. I’ll just go out and play my game.”
At Santa Clara, he plans to be part of a revitalized baseball program with fresh coaches.
“The program is going uphill,” Karalus said.
College choice was a five-month decision for Popp, who considered a number of in-state and out-of-state schools. In its wooded surroundings and culture, Western felt the most like home, and his club team, Crossfire Premiere, has deep connections to the Bellingham soccer program.
Popp already has his mind firmly on a career in sports marketing—”sports… is a big part of my life,” he says. He’s also expecting big things out of the Wildcats this spring. Chemistry and experience will pay off for the boys soccer team, he predicts.
Cedarcrest signees
The Counseling Center at Cedarcrest High School was standing room only Thursday as family, friends and school staff took part in official signing day festivities for three girls soccer players. Bieck will attend Oregon State and McKenna Swanson and Maggie Pleis are headed to Sacramento State this fall, all on scholarship.
All three had a fantastic season, leading their team to a Cascade Conference Championship and a second place finish at state, CHS Soccer Coach Evan Hatch said.
“Swanson anchored the defense, providing direction and intensity for the team. Bieck controlled the center midfield all season, working incredibly hard and effectively distributed the ball to her teammates. Pleis was a prolific forward, providing the team with ample scoring opportunities, goals, and assists. The CHS Girls Soccer program will miss these three players next year. It was truly a pleasure to work with them this season.”
“Maggie, McKenna and Gwen all had great high school soccer careers at CHS,” Cedarcrest Athletic Director, Jason Frederick added. “It is exciting to see Cedarcrest student-athletes take their athletic careers to the next level while getting a college education. This is an exciting day for the girls, their families and everyone at Cedarcrest High School.
“We are all proud of these girls for all their accomplishments and we look forward to their future success at the next level.” Hatch, who was named the 2A State Girls Soccer Coach of the Year, has also brought pride to the school, Frederick said.
