On Wednesday, February 1, 2012, family, friends, and coaches gathered in the Valparaiso High School cafeteria to witness ten student-athletes in the Viking programs sign National Letters on Intent to play their respective sports on the collegiate level.
John Bednar (Indiana University - football), Clarisse Fletcher (Robert Morris University - basketball), Quinn Geans (Bethel College – track), Jake Grossnickle (University of Indianapolis – football), Kate Johnson (Indiana State University – soccer), Tricia Joll (Indiana State University – cross country, track), Allie Lamberson (Indiana University – swimming), Ryan Nix (St. Francis University – football), Jordan Romanov (Bethel College - track), and Kate Workman (Purdue University – volleyball) each penned deals to play on the next level.
“Today we have the opportunity to recognize ten individuals from Valparaiso High School’s senior class who are going to be participating in athletics in the fall of 2012,” VHS Athletic Director Mark Hoffman began.
“We’re very proud of this,” he continued “We have a very long list of athletes that have gone on to represent our community and our school with great dignity and pride. It’s very exciting.”
Click here for photos of the ceremony!
The ceremony was short, but it gave parents, classmates, and coaches a chance to get together with the student-athletes on the big day. Congrats to the ten student-athletes and good luck next year!
Some of the student-athletes' accolades include:
- John Bednar: (football): 1st Team All-State, 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-Area
- Clarisse Fletcher (girls basketball): Indiana North-South Elite Basketball All-Star
- Jake Grossnickle (football): Top 50 Player in the State of Indiana IFCA, 1st Team All-State, MVP Duneland Conference, 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-Area
- Kate Johnson (soccer): MVP Duneland Conference, 1st Team All Conference, 1st Team All Area,
- Tricia Joll (cross country, track): 1 Time State Qualifer (Track) 4 Time State Qualifier (Cross Country), All Sectional, All Conference, All Regional
- Allie Lamberson (swimming): 4 Time State Qualifier, All Conference
- Ryan Nix (football): 1st Team All Conference, 2nd Team All Area
- Jordan Romanov (track): State Qualifier in the Long Jump and High Jump, Conference-Sectional- Regional Long Jump Champ, Sectional High Jump Champ
- Kate Workman (volleyball): MVP Duneland Conference, 1st Team All Conference, 1st Team All-Area