Wilson recognizes college-bound athletes

LONG BEACH >> At a well-attended ceremony in the Wilson gymnasium on Monday afteoon, the school recognized 31 Bruins who are plaing on continuing their athletic careers at the NCAA or junior college level.

“It’s great to see such a wide spread of sports represented,” said Wilson athletic director Jeff Evans.

Among the headliners was volleyball standout Milan Stokes, this year’s co-Dream Team Player of the Year, an All-American who’s signed with LSU.

“This is really nostalgic feeling,” she said. “Especially because it’s in the gym where I played all of my matches. My first practice was in here. It’s really sinking in on me that it’s over, this is it.”

The tears shed Monday by the Bruin athletes and their families were those of joy, of course. And the Wilson family also got a chance to meet a trio of athletes who are major recruits in their sport, but have never competed as Bruins: rowers Chase Clark (Oregon State), Brock Bozzani (Cal), and Constantino Khoury (Columbia).

The trio attended Wilson but row with Long Beach Junior Crew, wiing championships and representing the city, along with their school, even if not wearing maroon while doing it.

“The other sports are obviously a lot easier to follow,” said Khoury.

It was a top-heavy class of seniors for the Bruins. In addition to Stokes, several other Dream Team Players of the Year were on hand, including Cameron Cordial (water polo, signed to Michigan), Olivia Mendoza (teis, Pomona Pitzer), and Spencer Allen (water polo, Redlands).

Cordial said it was cool to see so many different sports represented, with some athletes staying close, while others are crossing the country. She had plenty of local offers, but chose Michigan in part to get away.

“I’m excited to get out of Southe Califoia and have cold weather in a different part of the country,” she said.

Other athletes recognized included: Brett Kalynycz (swimming, UC Santa Cruz), Megan Gruber (soccer, Jacksonville University), Talia Colchico (soccer, College of Charleston), Hunter Epson (golf, Pepperdine), Valerie Conti (swimming, UC Santa Cruz), Daniel Schmidt (swimming, Alabama), Logan Tweet (water polo, UC Santa Cruz), Jason Heandez (soccer, Cal Poly SLO), Riley Dent (baseball, Valpariso), Hayden Barron (water polo, CSU Monterey Bay), Hailee Wright (water polo, Cl Maritime), and Maggie Mathis (water polo, Hawaii).

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The Bruins also recognized several athletes who are plaing on continuing to play at junior colleges or as walk-ons. The Wilson football team had several athletes plaing on playing at area JCs, as well as a valedictorian in Jack Koulos who will walk on at Michigan, and Luke Heynen, who is leaving football behind to play on Long Beach State’s highly successful club rugby team.