Pitman High honored six college-bound seniors Monday afternoon as classmates, teammates, parents, coaches, and administrators piled into the Black Box Theatre to witness each athlete sign their respective letters of intent. In the school’s biggest mass signing to date, three football players, a softball player, a baseball player, and a volleyball player secured their athletic futures while being praised for their commitment and dedication.

Logan Wolfley – Azusa Pacific University

Wolfley signs on to play defense for the Cougars, last year’s NCCAA Victory Bowl Champions.

“There were some small D3 schools interested, but I wanted to play at the highest level I could and this was my best opportunity,” Wolfley said. “I just love the campus, love the coaching staff, and it felt like an awesome program to be a part of.”

As a potential strong safety, Wolfley will walk onto the team where he is expected to play special teams in his first year.

“Wherever I can play, that’s where I want to be,” Wolfley said.

Drew Lewis – Whittier College

Lewis signs with the Poets as an athletic prospect as he looks to make an impact on the football field during his freshman year and find a spot, preferably on offense, to claim as his own.

“I’ll play pretty much anywhere they need me and, hopefully, with hard work I can get in there my first year,” Lewis said.

With schools like Cal Lutheran University and Redlands College interested in the senior, Whittier College won out with persistence. The Poets finished 1-8 overall last season, but the campus atmosphere was more than enough to sway Lewis’ decision.

 “I felt like I was at home there, I just felt it click,” Lewis said.

Eric Bejaran – Arizona Christian College

The third and final Pride football player to sign, Bejaran lands with the Firestorm in their first year of existence. Initially recruited by the likes of UC Davis, a back spasm and fatigue left Bejaran’s football future in question as he was prepared to put his pads away for good.

“God made the decision for me. I had made the decision not to play football, I was done; I was burned out. But then they popped up and I prayed about it and God made the choice for me,” Bejaran said.

Now, with practice time already under his belt on the defensive line, Bejaran is looking forward to the beginning of the season with newfound passion for the game.

 “I’ve been down there, I’ve practiced, and that feeling’s back,” Bejaran said.

Sally Acosta – Missouri Valley College

As a highly sought after recruit, Acosta signs with Missouri Valley College despite receiving major interest from the likes of Harvard and Yale University.

“I liked how Missouri had a small class. The biggest class they have is 25 people and those are all freshman classes. They had my major and the girls were a tight knit family,” Acosta said.

With the unique talent of ambidextrous pitching, Acosta is expected to compete for the starting pitching position immediately.

“Most people didn’t believe in me, especially a lot of coaches who wouldn’t let me pitch left handed and right handed,” Acosta said.

Dakota Spillers – Azusa Pacific University

Spillers joins his friend Logan Wolfley as a soon to be Cougar, though his time will be spent on the baseball diamond, right behind home plate in the catchers position. Though Point Loma University expressed interest in Spillers, the Pride senior took more than just baseball into account when making his collegiate decision.

“They had my major and education is first before baseball,” the aspiring doctor said. “One day I’d like to be the pros, but chances are it’s not going to happen. So that’s why I’m going to Azuza to get a good education and have something to fall back on.”

With only three returning players, Azusa will look for Spillers to fill a utility role much as he’s done at Pitman.

Melinda Gonzalez – UC Merced

Gonzalez signs with the Bobcats with expectation to play middle on the volleyball team her freshman year.

“They were my first interest,” Gonzalez said. “I really liked how close to home it is, I can visit my friends and family.”

A three-year varsity starter for the Pride and a key component in her team’s championship success, Gonzalez will look to make an impact on a team that finished an even .500 overall last season.

 “I’m looking forward to playing the sport I love and being able to have my family come and watch me,” Gonzalez said.