On April 16, 2025, 10 collegiate-bound student athletes gathered in the NC Vaughan Gym for the last Signing Day of the school year. Each of these students had previously verbally committed to continue their athletic and academic careers in college and were honored at the event. 

First to sign was Mercer Krantz ‘25, who decided to continue his baseball career at National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Rock Valley College in Rockford, Ill.  

Also continuing his baseball career at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Luke Nicholaus ‘25 signed to Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill. 

“ONU checked all the boxes for what I was looking for in a school,” Nicholaus said. “It is a Christian college that is closer to home. On top of that, I couldn’t have been more impressed with the coaches, who balance a drive to win with their want to connect with each player as an individual and support them on and off the field.”

Next to sign was Julian Padilla ‘25, who will be continuing his basketball career at the NAIA level at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa. 

“The reason I chose Clarke University is because I felt like it was the best place for me, not only for basketball but academically as well,” Padilla said. “I’m also looking forward to meeting my new teammates as well as classmates and getting familiar with the campus at Clarke.”

Also continuing his basketball career, Luca Bade ‘25 signed to NCAA Division II Concordia University in River Forest, Ill. 

“The coaching staff is amazing and the program felt like a great fit,” Bade said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and excited to prove myself at the next level.”

The final basketball player to sign, Ian Polonowski ‘25 signed to NCAA Division III Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa. 

“When searching for a school, I was searching for a school with high academics but also had a focus on basketball, and I felt that Dickinson really fit that,” Polonowski said. 

Following Polonowski, Anderson Palm ‘25 signed to the University of Rochester to continue his golf career at the NCAA Division III level in Rochester, N.Y. 

“I chose my school because of the opportunity to combine great academics and competitive golf into a manageable schedule,” Palm said. “I am most looking forward to competing at a high level and exploring my interests in school.”

Next up, Brooke Walsh ‘25 signed to continue her dance career at the NCAA Division I University of Miami as a member of the Sunsations Dance Team in Miami, Fla.  

“I am looking forward to becoming closer with my teammates, and creating a bond with each individual, to ultimately create a strong team overall,” Walsh said. “There is so much talent on the team this year, and I can’t wait to dance alongside them.” 

Kicking off the football signees, Will Tobin ‘25 signed to NCAA Division III DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind.  

“I chose Depauw because of its combination of great academics and elite athletics,” Tobin said. “I’m most looking forward to making new connections and playing in the annual Monon Bell game against Wabash College.”

Following Tobin, AJ Vavrik ‘25 signed to continue his own football career at NCAA Division III Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Ill. 

Finally, Aleksandar Madzarevic ‘25 signed to continue his football career at NCAA Division III University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa. 

“I wanted to keep pursuing my career in football, and the place felt like my second home,” Madzarevic said.