Abby Miller spent a lot of her childhood trying out different sports and even gave softball a go, like her older sister, University of Arizona outfielder Merrilee Miller.  The Ironwood Ridge senior also has a golf gene in her family thanks to an uncle who played at East Carolina so she gave that a try.

"I've only been playing since I was a freshman believe it or not,"  Miller explained. "I tried so many other sports but golf was the perfect fit for me. Golf challenges you mentally and it's primarily an individual sport. You have to have the proper mindset and that's what I like."

Miller chose Pima because she wasn't quite ready to leave her home base and her family can still come and watch.

"I want that experience before I go off again in two years," Miller added.

Salpointe soccer standout Reilly Marks had a difficult path to the next level but the forward had a dream to play Division I soccer even with all the struggles and obstacles that got in her way.

Marks was relatively unknown in high school circles due to a transfer her junior year, but she came on strong for Salpointe in what turned out to be a dream season for the Lancers, a 23-2 record, a top seed in the state playoffs and a runner-up finish.

“My family and I were presented with some devastating news in December of my junior year – my grandpa was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer," Marks said. "That was so hard for me, he was my number one fan, he came to almost every single game. I played for him."

Marks earned a scholarship offer from New Mexico State but a torn MCL in a club game changed all that and the coaching staff at NMSU wanted to wait to see what her recovery was like but then even more bad news came.

"Meanwhile my grandpa’s cancer had grown. The next weekend my grandma suffered a massive heart attack. Then my grandpa passed away two days later. I remember the last thing he told me was, “Don’t ever give up on your dreams, don’t let anything stand in your way.” If he hadn’t told me that I don’t know where I’d be today.

"After a full year of work and training I am proud to say nothing stood in my way, and I did not give up on my dreams, because I gained back that scholarship and am able to say I have committed to play DI soccer for New Mexico State.”

Finally, distance runner Rhiana Bourguet will be competing for Waynesburg University next year. The Marana senior is obviously excited about the possibilities.

“Waynesburg University is a small private school in Pennsylvania,” Bourguet said. “I was drawn to the school because of their amazing nursing program and how everyone there has been unbelievably nice!”

Bourguet will be competing in 6K’s during cross country season and mid distance races like the 800 and 1,600 during track season.

“I am so excited about running in college,” she added. “This has been one of my top goals in high school. A 6K instead of a 5K seemed a little scary at first, but the weather will be a lot different than here in Tucson so I’m definitely looking forward to that.

“I plan on working hard this summer and can’t wait to help the Yellow Jackets win the PAC! Although it is far away from home I know this is going to be an amazing journey and I am so beyond thankful for this opportunity.”

 

Spring signing period: Southern Arizona list

 

Amphitheater

Yusuf Shehata (Pima), Point Loma: Basketball

Kyle Rodriguez, Northwestern Kansas: Wrestling

 

Canyon del Oro

Daniel Lewis, Lake Forest: Football

Noah Soto, Arizona Christian: Football

Mason Gavre, Paradise Valley: Baseball

Spencer Packard, Western Arizona: Baseball

Robert Santorelli, Lamar: Baseball

Jake Tucker, Lourdes: Baseball

Gabrielle Blevins, Central Arizona, Softball

Shelby Hotchkiss, Tyler, Softball

Ruben Torres Santos, Alderson Broaddus: Soccer

Kelly Kevershan, Peninsula: Soccer

Cody Aquilina, University of Arizona: Rodeo

Emelio Reyna, Northwest College: Rodeo

Cienega

Tyler Black, Cienega: Baseball

 

Desert Christian

Nicholas Tucker, Soccer, Arizona Christian
Sarah Butler, Soccer, Colorado Christian
Zachary Rosson, Baseball, Northwestern College
Stephanie Smith, Soccer, Providence Christian

 

Flowing Wells

Christine Ortega, Pima: Basketball

 

Ironwood  Ridge

Kayley Mohr, Hawaii-Pacific: Volleyball

Jaelyn Olsen, Utah State University-Eastern: Volleyball

Hannah Semon, Yavapai: Volleyball

Abby Miller, Pima: Golf

Lily Nielsen, Pima: Golf

Mandy Lorenson, Pima: Softball

Tanner Nickles, Occidental: Soccer

PJ Pena, Arizona Christian: basketball

Jeremy Berson, U.S. Coast Guard Academy: Wrestling

Marco Dominguez, Marion Military Institute: Wrestling

 

Marana

Rhiana Bourguet, Waynesburg: Track/CC

 

Palo Verde

Bryan Beltran-Rodriguez, Soccer: Pima

Lyle Bryant, Football: Mesa

Emily Doyle, Soccer: Cochise

Johnny Ramirez, Soccer: Yavapai

Janet Squire, Soccer: Cochise

 

Sahuaro

Jacquelynn Elmer, Scottsdale: Soccer

Amber Romero, Scottsdale: Softball

Sydney Harden, Pima: Basketball

Reazsha Benjamin, Pima: Basketball

Stephen Miller, Briar Cliff: Football

Gianni Romero, Pima: Volleyball

 

Salpointe

Stevey De La Ossa, Crown College: Basketball

Reilly Marks, New Mexico State: Soccer

 

Tucson

Deondre Eason, Tohono O'odham: Basketball
Parker Trujillo, Pima: Basketball

Tavian Ross, Central Arizona: Track

Angelica Carpio,  Earlham College: Volleyball

Bailey Gin, Western New Mexico: Volleyball

Matt Pool, Central College: Wrestling

Angelic Terrones-Cruz, Ferrum College: Wrestling