A Legacy of Faithfulness

A Legacy of Faithfulness

One of the most memorable days in a student-athlete’s high school career is National Signing Day, which happens three times a year. On November 11, Valor had its highest number of signing commitments in recent history with 33 student-athletes committing to college and accepting scholarships to play at some of the top schools in the country.

“This is not a four-year decision, but a 40-year decision,” says Bill Bufton, Valor’s College Recruiting Coordinator and Assistant Athletic Director. “The day is bigger than just signing a piece of paper, it is considering one’s career path, and how those opportunities fit into one’s future,” explains Bufton. “A lot of prayer goes into that decision because it will have a lifelong impact on who they become.”

Valor prepares student-athletes well beyond the track, field, or court by developing a spiritual plan for each team. “It’s more than just participating in a sport,” says Bufton. “We want student-athletes to do all Valor has to offer through a Discovery experience, growing academically, or participating in Conservatory. It is about the whole person and learning to put others before yourself.”

Reese Dragovich, who committed to Hillsdale College to run track, agreed wholeheartedly. “My coaches have played a huge role in helping me keep ‘the main thing the main thing’”, she says. “Focusing my eyes and heart on the truth found in Jesus, and allowing that to dictate every decision I make. I would not be the athlete or person I am without their guidance and the grace of God.”

Kindyll Wetta mirrored those sentiments. “It is so important not to put too much weight on any one thing, but instead I find my identity in Christ, rather than how I do in the classroom or on the basketball court,” says Kindyll, who will follow in her mother’s footsteps playing basketball at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Like Reese and Kindyll, Valor’s additional 31 student-athletes each in their own way expressed the legacy of God’s faithfulness in helping them through their high school years. Watch the entire signing ceremony here.

Congratulations to the following Valor student-athletes:

Skyler Boylan — William Jewell College — Basketball

Haley Huard — University of Montana — Basketball

Jenna Siebert — Colorado School of Mines — Basketball

Kindyll Wetta — University of Colorado — Basketball

Reese Dragovich — Hillsdale College — Track & Field

Isabella Prosceno — Baylor University — CC/Track

Taylor Whitfield — Baylor University — CC/Track

Camille Peisner — Stanford University — Track & Field

Grace Young— Rhodes College — Golf

Payton Cheedle — Davidson College — Lacrosse

Lauren Rismani — University of Oregon — Lacrosse

Bella Graber — John Brown University — Soccer

Keeley Kroonenberg — Colorado Christian University — Soccer

Karley Bennett — Catawba College — Swim & Dive

Makayla Hoehn  —Miami University, Ohio — Swim & Dive

Cailin Ogg — Calvin University — Swim & Dive

Ashley Stenstrom — UCLA — Swim & Dive

Kaitlyn Winkelman — Arizona State University — Beach Volleyball

Emma Ziegler — University of Denver — Volleyball

Radek Birkholz — University of Notre Dame — Baseball

Wyatt Hardy — Washburn University — Baseball

Deacon Nagy — University of St. Thomas, MN — Baseball

Caden Potter — Colorado Mesa University — Baseball

Ben Whipple — University of Hawaii — Baseball

Ryan Cole — Merrimack College — Lacrosse

Trey Digby — University of Denver — Lacrosse

Griffin Mallory — St. Joseph’s University — Lacrosse

Cole Ward — New Jersey Institute of Technology — Lacrosse

Trevor Wright — University of Denver — Soccer

Jack Engler — Colorado School of Mines — Swim & Dive

Gavin Gilmore — Colorado School of Mines — Swim & Dive

Gavin Rogers — Louisiana State University — Swim & Dive

Tal Ritter — Pepperdine University — Volleyball