TOLEDO, Ohio — The start of a new journey became a reality for many area high schoolers on Wednesday. When it comes to the NCAA calendar, Nov. 8 serves as the first day for student-athletes to officially sign with Division I and II college programs. It also marks early signings for DI basketball commits.
Some of the top talent in 419 who participated:
Kendall Braden, Toledo women's basketball
She helped guide Toledo Christian to the program's first state championship game appearance last season and earned 1st team All-Ohio after averaging 20.4 points per game.
Colin White, Ohio State men's basketball
He has led Ottawa-Glandorf to three consecutive state appearances and earned 1st Team All-Ohio as a junior after averaging 21.1 points per game.
Lauren Gerken, Bowling Green women's basketball
She earned 1st team All-Ohio after averaging 19.8 points per game as a junior. Gerken also became the fastest player in Liberty-Benton girls basketball history to reach 1,000 points.
Gretchen Sigman, Cincinnati volleyball
On Wednesday, she earned AVCA Honorable Mention All-American honors and holds four school records, including 1500 career kills & 291 career blocks, at Springfield.
Macy Chamberlin, Penn State softball
Ranked as one of the best catchers in the country, she enters her senior year as a two-time 1st Team All-Ohio member.
Brooklyn Vaughn, Loyola University Chicago women's basketball
Just last season, Vaughn was first-team All-Ohio Division 2 and was the sixth player in program history to do so. She averaged 15-and-a-half points and 16 rebounds per game last season, totaling 19 double-doubles.
Joseph Taylor, Duke track and field
He helped lead St. John's to its first team State Championship last season after anchoring the 4x400 meter relay which also won first place.
Maira Scott, USC track and field
A two-time state champion for Springfield, she possesses the second-fastest time ever in Ohio for the 100-meter and 200-meter races.
Ni'Rah Clark, Akron women's basketball
She holds the school record for blocks in a game, 23, and is coming off a second team All-District season. Clark marks the 13th Rogers girls basketball player to sign with a Division I program in the past 13 years.