Many NPHS athletes commit after years of work
As student athletes make their way through high school, many think about their future, and if their sport will play a part in it. Although the recruiting process looks different for every athlete, it can be a stressful time for students as they navigate the challenges of getting in touch with college coaches and making a decision. At NPHS, multiple athletes have been verbally committed and signed.
Brady Smigiel, junior, plays the quarterback position and is verbally committed to Florida State University [FSU]. Smigiel endured many challenges while choosing where he would continue his football career, but FSU has a unique playing style and staff that impressed Smigiel. “There were just a lot more pros about Florida State than any other school, mostly about their coaching staff. They relate to my dad and [NPHS’] coaching staff a lot, just kind of old-school football, extremely disciplined. They don’t let you get away with a lot and are just going to push you really hard,” Smigiel said.
Smigiel has gone through ups and downs while being recruited and has found a way to cope through his relationship with God. “Being able to pray to God about it, just to really relieve my stress, and my prayer to let me be a kid and go enjoy it like I’m back in Newbury Park Steelers [youth football league], no stress, no pressure or anything. Just go and have fun. And that works for me really well this year. Just no stress and anxiety. I’m just out there having fun,” Smigiel said.
Siena Meyer, senior, plays soccer in the defender position and has been committed to UCLA since her junior year. Having played since she was 5-years-old, Meyer knew that soccer was not something she wanted to give up come graduation. Of all the schools she looked into, UCLA’s team values stood out to her, making it an easy decision. “I liked it a lot, and the coaches are super sweet and very understanding, and their priority is creating a good team culture,” Meyer said.
Meyer explains how continuing to work hard will help younger athletes accomplish their goals and play at a higher level, as they will continue to learn and improve their skills. “I’m excited to play at a higher level with my new teammates. I [cannot] wait to have new experiences,” Meyer said.
Having started the recruitment process at the end of her freshman year, Mia York, junior, attended several camps that college coaches would visit, and has now verbally committed to Loyola Marymount University [LMU] for soccer. Although this process required York’s commitment and dedication, she feels she learned how to take feedback and apply it to herself. “The biggest challenge that I faced was probably learning how to use coaches’ feedback to make myself better rather than being so hard on myself all the time,” York said. Playing for a school one is passionate about is important, so York advises others to get the most exposure to camps and college coaches as possible, so there is time to make a decision and find a school that fits each person’s needs.
Despite the highs and lows of finding a school and committing Smigiel is excited to to play at a higher level where he will work for his position. “It’s just going to be extremely challenging. There’s a lot of good athletes or a lot of good quarterbacks where I’m going, so the job is not going to be handed to me,” Smigiel said.
