The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
More than two dozen student-athletes were recognized at Lakewood High last week, during a college signing ceremony for the Class of 2024. A crowd of classmates, parents, coaches, and other supporters filled the Lakewood gym to celebrate the departing senior class, with 26 athletes representing 10 different sports.
“It’s a special day, and the thing about it is, it’s growing,” said Lakewood athletic director Mike Wadley. “When we first started it was four kids, and each year it just gets bigger and bigger. We’re just trying to be us, and we want to celebrate all of our student athletes. I don’t care where they’re going, if they’re playing somewhere outside of high school, that’s great. … We’re at 26 kids this year, but a couple that weren’t here and a few more that are gonna sign, so we will have a little more than that. Pretty cool for little ol’ Lakewood, right?”
Wadley was also the girls’ volleyball coach for the Lancers prior to his retirement this school year, and that program produced the highest number of signees this year with five players headed to the next level. The Lakewood girls’ volleyball program has routinely sent athletes to major colleges, and this year was no exception.
“It’s a great feeling,” said middle blocker Zaria Thornton on being among the latest group of Lancers to earn a college scholarship. “I knew that I had the platform, I just needed to work for it. And I did.”
Thornton is headed to Oregon State next season, where the coaching staff made her feel at home on her visit. She’ll be studying creative writing and plans to write a book one day after her volleyball career.
“It’s very exciting and very rewarding,” said Thornton of getting to play in college. “I’m finally getting the chance to show everything I’ve worked for.”
On the football field, Lancers offensive lineman Jay Tauala-Harris is headed to the University of Hawaii, where he’s excited to continue his career and pursue his dreams on and off the field.
“It feels amazing. I know the job is not finished until I make it to where I want to be, and I’m not there yet, but this is a big stress reliever,” said Tuala-Harris of signing a scholarship. “It took a lot of stress off my shoulders knowing I did something to help my family, so my parents don’t have to come out of pocket to pay for college. I’m very blessed for that. I just want to build off this one a bit off this moment and just keep building off everything.”
Here are the 26 Lancers headed to the next level, listed by sport:
Softball
Madylyn Wynia – Cypress College
Cat Calzada – Sacred Heart University
Maite Owens – El Camino College
Swimming And Water Polo
Marlene Isaacson – Long Beach City College
Maya Lopez – Long Beach City College
Leilani Sanchez – Long Beach City College
Girls’ Volleyball
Jade Epps – San Jose State University
Zaria Thornton – Oregon State University
Nyla Hankins – Guildford College
Summer Eleasaro – Westcliff University
Wynter Hill – Lane University
Boys’ Lacrosse
Andrew Pacheco – Westcliff University
Boys’ Basketball
Deven Smith – Cypress College
Adam Bermudez – University Of Redlands
Football
Jay Tauala-Harris – University Of Hawaii
Tyree McCowen – College Of San Mateo
Cross Country & Track
Jamari Gibson – Long Beach City College
Jai’ya Jones – Fresno State
Boys’ Wrestling
Nelson Ramirez – Cerritos College
Brandon Kim – Cerritos College
Daniel Quezada – Cerritos College
Girls’ Basketball
Cristina Jones – Cal State Dominguez
Natalia Apacible – Whittier College
Jazzmin Briggs – Cerritos College
Baseball
Brandon Luna – LA Harbor College
Andres Roman – LA Harbor College
