ATHLETES: 4 outstanding Poly Bears committed to play collegiate sports.
By Kelsey Chamberlain, Staff Writer
Thursday, November 9, 2017, was an exciting day for four of Poly’s elite athletes. This day marked the 2017-2018 school year’s first collegiate signing, a ceremonial presentation in which Poly Bears who are soon to be college level athletes are signed into their schools. The four athletes recognized were seniors Grace Halliday, Levi Murtaugh, Caitlin McManus, and Jasmine Martinez. The ceremony itself brought smiles and tears from family and friends.
Grace Halliday was the first signee to be showcased. Halliday has been the starting varsity goalie for Poly’s girls’ waterpolo team all four years. After swimming and playing waterpolo for several years, she has committed to San Diego State University (SDSU) in San Diego, California. “I have always dreamt of playing division one collegiate waterpolo and I have finally reached my goals,” Halliday said. Her coach, Bob Barkley, boasts that she has all traits of a great athlete: athletic ability, passion, and work ethic.
Another waterpolo star, Levi Murtaugh, was the second senior to commit. Murtaugh has also had a childhood of waterpolo experience, having partaken in the sport since he was 10. He will continue his athletic and academic career at the University of California, Davis, in Davis, California. “He’s been a great kid […] who makes for an exceptional teammate and scholar,” Poly head waterpolo coach Mike Cardey said.
Jasmine Martinez was the third signee, competing in both club softball and Poly softball. The next step of her softball journey will take place at Holy Family University, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After a battle with a torn ligament that forced her to undergo reconstruction and threatened her career, Jasmine bounced back with the help of her coaches and worked everyday until she retained her former ability. “My coach is a big part of why I picked this school[.] [S]he is very encouraging and wants the best for me and wants to make sure [I] feel at home as soon as [I] get there,” Martinez said.
The final signee of the morning was Poly’s soccer goalie Caitlin McManus. Like all of the previous signees, Caitlin has been playing her sport for much of her childhood. Caitlin has committed to San Jose State University (SJSU), where she shall continue her academic and athletic career this fall. Poly girls’ soccer coach Christopher Montgomery was present to talk about his experiences with Caitlin. “Caitlin is an excellent player,” he said, regarding meeting her for the first time during her freshman year, even saying he was shocked that Caitlin was a freshman because she had already been so skilled even then.
All four of these athletes have accomplished much throughout their high school careers, and it was exciting to see their hard work paid off through college commits. Congratulations and best of luck to each athlete!