There was a lot of love in the Conifer High School gymnasium during signing day as students spoke of their love of sports, their families and their teammates.
Plus one student was Conifer’s first to sign a letter of intent in the arts. The April 14 ceremony signified the students’ intention to attend and compete or perform at a specific university or college.
Assistant principal Eric Kragel reflected on the last four years, which included the pandemic, lauding the students’ tenacity and teamwork in the face of adversity.
“That’s the great thing about athletics and activities. It teaches you life skills,” he told the students. “I’m really proud of you for all you have accomplished.”
The Lobos are attending college all over the country from North Carolina to Alaska and from South Dakota to Florida. Coaches and mentors spoke about the 17 students at the signing ceremony, and students also had something to say about their achievements.
Jordan Frye, jazz trombone, University of Denver, Colorado
Frye has received a full scholarship to attend the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver to play trombone.
Frye played trumpet for 10 years before switching to trombone two years ago, and Frye found they enjoyed low brass more than high brass. Frye has realized that throughout their life, music has been a constant.
“I tried sports and activities, but at the end of the day, I always had music,” Frye said, noting that in college, their studies will be wide-ranging in music to be successful professionally in the field.
Noah Hartmann, lacrosse, St. Leo University, St. Leo, Florida
Wyatt Canaday, lacrosse, Adams State University, Alamosa, Colorado
Hartmann has skill, bravery and a bit of insanity as goalie for the Lobos lacrosse team, coach and dad Matt Hartmann said, adding that it meant a lot that he could go on this athletic journey with his son.
Canaday has come a long way since he started playing lacrosse his freshman year, Hartmann said, noting that Canaday just blossomed and has had an amazing journey.
Isabella Krull-Collins, hockey, Lawrence University, Appleton, Wisconsin
Krull-Collins’ coach called her a passionate, caring person with a bubbly personality and a drive to play ice hockey. Since CHS doesn’t have its own team, she traveled a lot to be able to practice and compete.
Zoe Peesel, cross country and track & field, Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa
Patrick Doty, cross country and track & field, University of Alaska-Anchorage
Wyatt Bly, cross country and track & field, Chadron State College, Chadron, Nebraska
Coach Blake Wageman said she felt like she and Peesel started the cross-country journey together, Wageman as a new coach and Peesel as a freshman, explaining that because of Peesel’s love of running, she encouraged the rest of the team with her enthusiasm. She reminded Peesel that she was more than a runner, so she should grow her interests in other areas.
Doty and Bly have been two of the best leaders at Conifer High School, coach Brian Stotts said. Doty has been more than a runner for the team, also taking photos and posting them online, making teammates feel special. “That’s what leadership looks like,” he said of Doty.
Doty and Bly were two of the most dedicated athletes Stotts has ever seen.
Stotts called Bly a true original, and no one works harder than he does, adding, “He lives his life the right way and his own way.”
Noah Bishop, basketball, Doane University, Crete, Nebraska
Coach John Raff said the most meaningful part of his relationship with Bishop was watching him grow into a responsible player and young man, who helped the team be successful.
Sage Swegle, lacrosse, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon
Swegle is one of the most hard-working, dedicated multi-sport athletes coach Gretchen Lasda has known. “I’ve watched her grow into an incredible leader,” Lasda said.
Teagan Eisenring, soccer, Columbia College, Columbia, South Carolina
Coach Justin Trujillo said Eisenring is a natural leader, who is tenacious and fearless, saying one of the best things for him and for the team was having her as part of the group.
Nic Hudson, football, University of LaVerne, LaVerne, California
Evan Clark, football, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Nebraska
For two athletes to sign to play football is incredible, coach John Shipley said. Clark is a player who did what the team needed, while Hudson lives and breathes football.
Mason Pratt, baseball, Lancaster Bible College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Liam O’Connor, baseball, Willamette University, Salem, Oregon
Aodhan Linehan, baseball, University of Mary, Bismarck, North Dakota
Liam Pfrommer-Pease, baseball, Greensboro College, Greensboro, North Carolina
Myles Jordan, baseball, Garden City Community College, Garden City, Kansas
Coach Scott Payne called Pratt successful because he was productive and competitive. For Pratt, trying hard was not good enough. He is authentically himself, which gives him the ability to concentrate on the task at hand.
Coach Spencer Hamilton called O’Connor one of the best leaders he’s ever seen, noting that he couldn’t say enough about him as a player and a person.
Linehan, a Goldenview Classical Academy student, played baseball for Conifer. Hamilton said Linehan was a massive part of Lobos baseball, calling him a man in a kid’s body.
Jordan, Hamilton said, is always happy and great to be around, a player who could move to different positions depending on where he was needed.
Hamilton said Pfrommer-Pease started as an average baseball player who decided he had what it took to play ball in college. The transformation, Hamilton said, has been inspirational, and Pfrommer-Pease is now one of the best players in the league.
