For the second time in as many weeks, Pitman High watched two of its student-athletes sign letters of intent and secure a future in athletics at the college level. Maddy Bowen and Alexis Mettler signed their respective letters for Chico State and the University of Deleware Tuesday afternoon in what has become a Pride tradition in the Pitman library.

Bowen, who transferred to Pitman last year after playing two years of varsity soccer for Turlock High as a freshman and sophomore, committed to Chico last spring and is expected to assume defensive duties once she becomes a Wildcat.

“We'll see what happens when I get there, but most likely I'll stay in the center-mid area,” Bowen said. “My coach’s' philosophy for next year, and for any of the incoming freshman, is we prove ourselves on the field.”

“If I can prove myself to this team then I have a chance of playing,” she added.

Bowen sharpened her skills on the pitch with various travel teams through the years, including the Modesto Ajax, Pleasanton Rage and Turlock Tornadoes. She will join a Chico team that finished 12-5-2 overall and 8-2-1 in conference last season and made it to the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament Finals.

“It's nice to know where I'm going, to get that off my shoulders. I'm excited to play,” Bowen said.

In light of her recent signing, Bowen has opted out of her final high school season, however, as she has decided to prepare for her future independently.

“I do not want to get hurt going into college. I don't want anything to stop me from getting into college,” Bowen said. “I'm working right now with a running trainer and a fitness trainer to get me ready for college so I can maybe play. It was a hard decision for me to make...but I just made the decision because I'm very passionate about soccer and if anything was to take that away from me I would just completely die.”

“My expectations are to go out, work my butt off, hopefully improve with my fitness and training I'm doing on my own and hopefully playing my first year,” she added.

Mettler is also expected to contribute to the University of Delaware her freshman season where she is likely to fill a utility role.

“They expect me to hit, pitch or play outfield. Kind of like wherever they need me,” Mettler said.

The Pride senior's forte is undoubtedly her pitching, however, as she's compiled an ERA of 2.46 with 282 strike outs through three years. Mettler also holds several school records with 102 career hits, 50 RBIs, 63 scored runs, 19 doubles and 18 triples. She is also 12 wins shy of Pitman's all-time wins record.

Mettler will join a Blue Hens team that finished 23-25 overall and 5-12 in conference last season.

“You only get one chance to really get away from home, and if you're surrounded by people who share the same passion as you, it's a lot easier to move away and experience life,” Mettler said. “And I really loved the coach who felt like she would take me in and keep me there and make me part of a family there.”