Gallery • 21 Photos

Brody Lee-Caracci ‘26 poses with head volleyball coach Brad Skendzel and assistant varsity coach Stewart Turner-Jackson (Robinson/LION).

Nov. 12 marked the first signing day of the 2025-2026 school year. Nineteen athletes gathered in the NC Vaughan gym to officially commit to collegiate-level athletics.

First up was volleyball player Brody Lee-Caracci ‘26, committing to Lewis University to continue his athletic career.

“I chose Lewis because it was close to home, and also the culture of the volleyball team really stood out to me,” Lee-Caracci said. 

Next up was Lee-Caracci’s teammate Brady Schlichter ‘26, committing to Missouri University School of Science & Technology for volleyball.

“They have a really good engineering program, and I’m able to continue my volleyball career,” Schlichter said.

Baseball player Jack Slightom ‘26 committed to the University of Cincinnati, where he can grow in academics and athletics.

Lon Roberts was next, committing to Webster University to pursue his baseball career.

“I chose Webster University because I had a great meeting with their head baseball coach, and their program has had exceptionally successful seasons in the past decade,” Roberts said. “Outside of that, I believe that the campus, dorms, and community will set me up for a terrific four years academically, athletically, and socially.” 

Following Roberts was baseball player Tanner Fridrych ‘26, committing to Illinois Wesleyan University. 

“I chose Illinois Wesleyan because it offered the opportunity to continue enjoying baseball, a sport I’ve been passionate about since childhood,” Fridrych said.

The last of the baseball players to sign was Thomas Georgelos ‘26, committing to Eastern Illinois University. 

“I am looking forward to making new connections and hanging out with the baseball team at EIU,” Georgelos said. 

Following the baseball players came wrestler Griff Powell ‘26. He committed to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for wrestling.

“I chose Illinois because I knew it was the best fit for me, and it has a great coaching staff,” Powell said. 

The soccer players were following, beginning with Carli Proctor ‘26, who committed to Florida Southern College.

“I chose Florida Southern because of the great academic programs, specifically business, and how hands-on the learning is.” Proctor said, “I always knew I wanted to be in Florida, which made my decision even easier.” 

Following Proctor was soccer player Anna Bigenwald ‘26, who committed to Loyola University. 

“I am looking forward to meeting new people while also exploring more of the city.” Bigenwald said, “I am grateful to be a part of such a great soccer program that Loyola has to offer.” 

Soccer player Carolina Capizzi ‘26 was next, signing with DePaul University, and her teammate Zibby Michaelson ‘26 followed, committing to Mercer University. 

“I met girls in my recruiting class as well as the girls on the team, and I really enjoyed them.” Michaelson said, “The coaching staff, facilities and soccer program are amazing, and I fell in love with the school and everything about it.” 

Closing out the soccer players was varsity athlete Nick Reilly ‘26, committing to Nichols College.

“I am most looking forward to being able to continue to play the sport I love, while also continuing my education [and] majoring in Sports Management,” Reilly said. “I am excited to be able to build friendships with my new teammates and classmates at Nichols.

Emma O’Brien ‘26 followed, committing to Cornell University for D1 basketball.

“I chose Cornell because of the high academics, the coaching staff, and the campus,” O’Brien said. 

Garret Pohl ‘26 was next to commit to Illinois Wesleyan University for golf.  

“My brother had just gone through the program, and I have been connected to the Coach since freshman year,” Pohl said, “I knew that he had an interest in me, and I decided that it would be best to pursue my athletic career at a school I knew I would be able to start at.” 

The first of five swimmers to sign was Jack Hannon ‘26, committed to Eastern Illinois University.

“I chose Eastern Illinois, knowing it would push me to be my best and help me grow,” Hannon said.

Following Hannon was swimmer Kylie Thompson ‘26, who committed to Bowling Green State University.

“I am looking forward to the team culture, which includes the enthusiastic coaches and a supportive team,” Thompson said.

Swimmer Maeve Collins ‘26 signed after, committing to the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Next up was Lindsay Forebaugh ’26, committing to Dartmouth University to continue her swimming career.

“I chose Dartmouth for its amazing blend of academics and athletics as well as the close-knit team and incredible coaches,” Forebaugh said.

The last athlete to sign was swimmer Anna Pansing ‘26, who committed to Brown University.

“I really loved when I visited, the vibe on campus, as well as the team culture, the amazing academics, the coaches and the facilities,” Pansing said. “It got me really excited for my future.”

That concludes the 2025-2026 LT Fall signing day. Athletes going to college for a sport will have two more opportunities to participate in the LT signing days happening on Feb. 4 and Apr. 15.