PHOTOS: Ten Crean Lutheran athletes sign letters to continue careers on college level

Crean Lutheran athletes who signed letters of intent Wednesday were (from left) Nate Kim, Morgan Kampger, Graham Wyckoff, Sammy McMillan, Caedan Chase, Nolan Folsom, Sam Held, Hannah Cumming and Dominik Varela. Not pictured Sooyeon (Emily) Jang, (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran High School)

Ten Crean Lutheran High School athletes signed national letters of intent Wednesday to continue their athletic careers in college.

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Nate Kim, Claremont McKenna College, soccer

Crean Lutheran Head Soccer Coach Glen Worthington says, “Nate is a phenomenally talented soccer goalie. From being avarsity starter, league champion, and first team all-league award winner as a freshman, to be our de facto goalie coach when his club commitments prevented him from playing high school soccer, to an exciting senior year ahead, Nate’s stand-out excellence is plain to see in every practice and every game. His playing ability is only surpassed by his character and faith. It has been a privilege to coach this exceptional young man during his high school career.”

Morgan Kampfer, Biola University, swimming  

Crean Lutheran swim coach Todd Brinker says, “Morgan has been an exemplary student-athlete and leader in our aquatic program at Crean Lutheran. She has always brought her best to competition even in the face of unexpected circumstances, and her determination, competitiveness are tempered by her good nature and sense of humor. Her wit and willingness set her apart, she stands as an example of a strong Christian athlete.” 

Hannah Cumming, The Master’s University, soccer

Crean Lutheran soccer coach Stephen Jennings says, “She embodies everything that our coaching staff is trying to cultivate in our program.”

Sam Held, Concordia University Irvine, track and field

Crean Lutheran head track and field Coach Robby Cherry says, “Sam Held has been an outstanding member of our track and field team over the years. He is an exceptional leader and team player who makes his teammates better daily. Sam continues to improve in his craft as a track and field sprinter and thrower and I believe he has a bright athletic future ahead as an Eagle at Concordia University Irvine.”

Nolan Folsom, The College of Idaho, lacrosse

Crean Lutheran head lacrosse Coach Will McMinn says, “We are very proud of Nolan for earning a scholarship to play collegiate lacrosse at the College of Idaho. He has worked hard both on and off the field to put himself in this position and will be an excellent addition to this College’s roster from both an athletic and a character standpoint. We will all be pulling for you in your collegiate lacrosse career, Nolan!”

Dominik Varela, The Master’s University, baseball

Varela is one of the top players on Coach Jake Haney’s Crean Lutheran baseball team, which is off to a fast start.

Graham Wyckoff, The University of Arizona, rugby

OC Saints Rugby Coach Sam McMillan says, “Graham started playing rugby in his 9th grade, was a quick study and in a very short period established himself as the cornerstone of the OC Saints Rugby Team. Graham leads with action, he works hard at every aspect of his game and never takes a play or day off. He is the ultimate teammate, respects his opposition, but never gives an inch in competition. We are so excited to watch Graham play rugby at the D1A collegiate level, he has a very high ceiling related to his rugby potential.”

Sam McMillan, UCLA, rugby

OC Saints rugby coach Karl Blanke says, “Sammy has been the heart and soul of the OC Saints rugby team on and off the field, as the founding president and captain of the team, leading the team to a 16-4-1 record in our first season. Sammy leads by his actions, he works tirelessly at his game, sets the standard of high performance, resilience and toughness whether through camps or tours with the Eagle Impact Rugby Academy (EIRA) and the Crusader travel team. We are so excited to watch Sammy, after 13 years of youth and high school rugby, play at the collegiate D1A level fulfilling a dream to study and play rugby at UCLA”

Caeden Chase, University of Arizona, rugby.

OC Saints rugby coach, Sam McMillan says, “Caedan started playing rugby in his ninth grade, and immediately made his impact on the field, with his raw power and speed. Off the field, this is a young man that has two feet solid on the ground and is deeply rooted in his faith. Caedan is a leader on the OC Saints Rugby Team that in the first season went 16-4-1 in a very competitive league. Caedan is just downright a great young man to be around. In his four years of rugby, he has been part of the Eagle Impact Rugby Academy (EIRA) where he has attended several camps and toured with the academy, and has been a player within the South OC Raptor rugby club since his ninth grade. We are so excited to watch Caedan play rugby at the D1A collegiate level, and take those natural talents to the next level.”

Sooyeon (Emily) Jang, New York University, golf

Crean Lutheran golf coach Lou Biggs says, “Emily is a serious competitor and very committed to being excellent at golf.”