Graduating student-athletes from across the Madison Metropolitan School District’s (MMSD) four comprehensive high schools are preparing to advance their academic and athletic journeys at colleges, universities and other postsecondary institutions across the country and internationally, committing to opportunities spanning NCAA, NJCAA and NAIA programs, preparatory academies and international universities.
This year, MMSD is recognizing seniors from East High School, Robert M. La Follette High School, Vel Phillips Memorial High School and West High School who have officially committed to competing at the collegiate level while pursuing their postsecondary education.
“These student-athletes have demonstrated extraordinary commitment, perseverance, skill and leadership throughout their high school careers,” said Jeremy Schlitz, MMSD athletic director. “Balancing academics, athletics and the many demands of high school takes tremendous commitment, and we are incredibly proud to see these students continue their journeys at the next level.”
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The students represent a wide range of sports and programs, reflecting the breadth of opportunities available across MMSD athletics. More than 3,000 MMSD high school students participate in athletics annually, with the district offering all 28 sports recognized by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA).
Participation in athletics and other co-curricular activities remains an important part of the district’s approach to supporting the whole student. Research consistently shows that students involved in extracurriculars are more likely to remain engaged in school, build leadership skills and experience academic success.
“As these seniors prepare for graduation, they leave behind legacies that extend far beyond wins and statistics,” Schlitz said. “They have represented their schools and communities with pride, and we look forward to seeing the impact they will continue to make in college and beyond.”
Following are the student-athletes across each of MMSD’s comprehensive high schools who have made official postsecondary commitments. (As of May 26, some student-athletes are still weighing their options and have yet to sign formal letters of intent.)
East High School
Robert M. La Follette High School
- Cross country (boys): Sam Fischer, Carthage College
- Football: Ryan Derke, Ripon College; Yarnell Fuller, Carthage College; Logan Sande, Carthage College
- Soccer (boys): Christo Papadopoulos, Universidad Católica de Murcia (Spain)
- Tennis (boys): Will Andrews, UW–Stevens Point
- Track and field (boys): Dabere Omejata, St. Cloud State University
Vel Phillips Memorial High School
- Baseball: Brayden Banyai, UW–Milwaukee; Myles Hosking, St. Mary’s University of Minnesota; Caleb Liggon, Bradley University; Ezra Liggon, Bradley University; Devin Prosser, Edgewood University
- Basketball (boys): Andrew Braun, Lawrence University
- Basketball (girls): Avery Blue, Wagner University
- Football: Blake Adams, UW–La Crosse; Kyle Allen, Concordia University Wisconsin; Hamza Jaber, UW–Oshkosh; Beckett Schreiber, University of Minnesota
- Volleyball (boys): Lincoln Myers, Stanford University
- Volleyball (girls): Hannah Mlsna, South Dakota State University
West High School
- Basketball (boys): Breion Willis, Beloit College
- Cross country (girls): Quinn Mangerson, Northern Michigan University; Mary Tishler, Macalester College; Gwen Hanson, UW–Superior
- Football: Marcus Allen Jr., Wisconsin Lutheran College; Josh Douglas, UW–La Crosse; Malachi Gavins, UW–Oshkosh; Kovarion Johnson, Iowa Central Community College; Jack Jurgella, Northern Michigan University; Jack McDonald, Suffield Academy; Henry Miesbauer, UW–Stout; Sebastian Pietz, UW–Stout
- Golf (boys): Frank Colbert, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
- Lacrosse (boys): Cullen Gustavson, Union College; Kyen Schreiber, Dominican University of California
- Soccer (boys): Liam Cahill, Marquette University; Sebastian Covarrubias, Ripon College; Pearce St. John, Beloit College; Jonah Wallace, Northern Michigan University
- Soccer (girls): Mia Ozanne, University of Missouri–Kansas City; Gabriela Retana, Marquette University; Charlotte Sussman, Augsburg University
- Swimming (boys): Dylan Snelling, UW–Stevens Point
- Swimming (girls): Sara Osthelder, Southern Illinois University
- Volleyball (boys): Truman Parker, Lees-McRae College
- Volleyball (girls): Lily Smith, Temple University
- Wrestling (boys): Ashton Mazvimavi, Springfield College
