Students packed the main gym, chattering in excitement and peering over each other to catch a glimpse of the nine select athletes seated proudly at the signing table. Decked out in their future college’s gear on Thursday, November 7, Miramontes verbally committed senior athletes had the opportunity to formally announce their college commitment and sign their National Letter of Intent or NLI. The NLI is a binding agreement between the college and the athlete.  This year, Miramonte’s class of 2025 celebrated nine student-athletes continuing their academic and athletic careers at the next level:

Audrina Kang — Water Polo — Indiana University

Ally Larsen — Water Polo — University of California, Los Angeles

Ali Sagara — Water Polo — University of California, Los Angeles

Marta Martinetti — Water Polo — University of California, Santa Barbara

Charlee Spence — Water Polo — Occidental College

Patrick Stice — University of California, Berkeley

Griff Tunney —  Water Polo — Brown University

Dylan Tawes — Lacrosse — Dominican University

Madyson Yu — Soccer — Dartmouth University

Signing Day is a crucial event because it allows students and members of the community to celebrate the hard work and dedication student-athletes put into their sports. Witnessing upperclassmen achieve this athletic landmark inspires students to strive for excellence within their sports.

“I was really surprised to see so many people going to top level colleges. It makes me feel motivated to try and match their success,” junior athlete James Rogers said. 

For Ali Sagara and Ally Larsen, women’s Water Polo players both heading to UCLA, Signing Day was especially significant. 

“Signing day was exciting because our school recognized me and the other committed athletes fortunate enough to play their sport in college,” Sagara said.

When reflecting on her recruiting experience Sagara described it as “both exciting and stressful.” The best part, she shared, “was visiting schools and staying with the team, which helped me make my decision with UCLA. Knowing where I’m going to college takes a lot of stress out of senior year.”

For Larsen, it was also a day of celebration.“Signing day, to me, is a chance to celebrate my hard work over the years with my friends and family. Knowing where I am going to college definitely takes a lot of stress away from senior year, and I’m relieved that my hard work has paid off,” Larsen said.

Sagara and Larsen voiced excitement about continuing their athletic careers together. “I’m excited to have a teammate in college that I’ll have played with before and, more importantly, a friend to count on during the transition,” Sagara said.

“It’s such a unique and fun experience being able to grow as people and players with your friend for eight whole years,” Larsen said.

Lacrosse player and Dominican University commit Dylan Tawes had a unique journey because of her transfer from Head Royce School in her junior year. 

“I was nervous coming into a new lacrosse and school environment very different from my previous school. Having a more competitive environment made me a stronger, more versatile player, which was reflected in my recruiting process,” Tawes said. 

Looking forward, Tawes is eager to step up to collegiate lacrosse.

“Everyone on the team will see lacrosse as a job versus just an elective, and the competition will reflect that. I  am hoping to embrace that change with open arms, and get better with everyone practice and game,” Tawes said. 

This year, Miramonte’s 2025 class advanced nine student athletes to the next level, including seven from its prestigious water polo program. Of these nine, six are staying in California, while remaining three secured places in the Midwest and East Coast. As this accomplished athletic class graduates, Miramonte students can look forward to the Class of 2026, which contains three committed athletes and more to hopefully come.