Spring National Signing Day Draws Big Crowd

It was standing room only as teammates, coaches and family members crowded into the Academic Commons to cheer on their student athletes. Wednesday was Spring Signing Day, when athletes signed letters of intent to continue their sport at the college level.

 

In all, eight athletes took their seats at the signing table, bringing the total number of student athletes intending to play in college next year to 19. On this signing day, their sports ranged from football, basketball and baseball, to volleyball, tennis and lacrosse. They include: 

Eli Aldana, Basketball Augustana College Louisa Battin, Volleyball South Dakota School of Mines Ryan Camblin, Football DePauw University Jayden Franzen, Lacrosse Ohio Wesleyan University Maia Nowicki, Tennis Denison University Kane Snyder, Lacrosse Fairleigh Dickinson University Dallas Starr, Lacrosse North Greenville University Jake VanBooven, Football/Baseball DePauw University

“We want to celebrate these athletes,” said Jason Kuffel '99, Athletic Director. “All their hard work and dedication to their sport has led them to play at the collegiate level.”

Eli Aldana holds a rare distinction in the boys’ basketball program at Saint Viator. He earned MVP honors his sophomore, junior, and senior years, making him the first player to be a 3-time MVP in the program. Eli also was named to the Daily Herald All-Area team sophomore, junior and senior years, and he made the all-tournament team at the Wheeling Hardwood Classic, where he was second leading scorer in the tournament.

“Among his highlights are hitting a game winner to upset No. 1 ranked Notre Dame during his sophomore season,” says Coach Michael O’Keeffe, “and a game-winning three at the buzzer to upset No. 18 ranked Marian Catholic during his senior season.”

Louisa Battin decided to play volleyball in college, but she could have played in other sports. She is a Golden Lion Award winner for participating in bowling, basketball, swimming, volleyball, and water polo over her four years, including earning MVP in water polo in 2022.

“I chose South Dakota School of Mines because it is an all-engineering school,” Louisa said, “so everyone is an engineering major and I think that will help me. I want to become a biomedical engineer.”

Ryan Camblin was a two-year starter on the Lions’ football team, playing at superback, which is similar to tight end. He had 31 career receptions, despite missing part of his junior year rehabbing a shoulder issue.

Jayden Franzen is another dual sport athlete who had to decide between playing football or lacrosse in college. He chose lacrosse and follows a strong tradition of Saint Viator lax players going to Illinois Wesleyan. He was all-conference in football his junior and senior years, as well as defensive player of the year his senior year. In lacrosse, he also excels in defense, earning defensive MVP honors the last two years and all-conference. 

Maia Nowicki was the ESCC player of the year her junior year and took second place in singles at the conference meet. She followed up by winning the singles title at sectionals. She finished among the top 16 at state last year and was named to the 2nd team All-State.

Boys’ Head Lacrosse Coach Patrick Gaeger '08 describes Kane Snyder as resilient, as he dealt with two knee injuries the past two seasons. But he emerged on top and now will continue playing lacrosse at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ.

“Kane is a highly self-motivated young man with a gritty personality,” Coach Gaeger says. “He is going to be a valued member of his college program because he’s battle tested. Nothing can break him, and good people gravitate to resilient individuals.”

A third lacrosse player, Dallas Starr, committed to playing in college. Coach Gaeger describes Dallas as the team’s “Swiss Army knife” and a real locker room leader.

“Ask anyone in our program and they will tell you that the success of our defense the last two years lies heavily on the shoulders of Dallas,” Coach Gaeger said. “A true locker room guy, he will bring energy, passion and a culture-first mentality to his college program.”  

Jake Van Booven committed to playing two sports at DePauw, football and baseball. On the gridiron, he was a two-year starter at running back. He scored 10 touchdowns in his career despite missing half of his junior season with an illness. In baseball, he plays outfield and pitches for the Lions, but he plans to concentrate on his left-handed pitching with the Tigers. 

“I’ve been a three-sport athlete – playing basketball, baseball and football – for as long as I can remember,” Jake said. “I think I can handle playing two sports in college since sports is a way for me to lock in at school. It helps me perform better – in the classroom and on the field.”