A big siging day arrives today

By Charles Whisnand

Appeal Sports Editor

Today is the biggest day of the year for high school athletes across the country. And today should also be a big day for several local high school athletes as well.

And while today is not as significant for the Western Nevada baseball program - it has already signed most of its 2009 class - the Wildcats continue to work on completing that class.

The first day of the winter signing period which is today receives the most attention because virtually all of the top high school football players in the country will sign with major colleges today. But other athletes will be signing as well.

Among those who will be signing are Carson high senior Kayla Sanchez, who will be signing in women's track with Arizona State, the defending national indoor and outdoor champion. Sanchez, a nine-time state champion, is a versatile performer and one of the nation's top high school hurdlers. She received an 80 percent scholarship offer from the Sun Devils, impressive for a program as prestigious as ASU, since scholarship offers of 80 percent or more are rare in track.

Among local football players who are going through the recruiting process is Galena High's Jake Hess. For Galena, Hess was a standout linebacker who also played fullback.

Hess visited Boise State last weekend, Galena coach Steve Struzyk said. Struzyk said Hess will likely walk on at Boise State. If he goes to Boise State, the Broncos will likely use him as a fullback.

As far as WNC, the program has 14 players either signed or as preferred walk-ons in its 2009 class. But at least two of those players may never set foot on campus.

Kevin Meyers, a shortstop from Tacoma, Wash., and Colby Sokol, a centerfielder from Washington, have both signed with WNC, but both have also committed to Division I schools. Players who sign with junior colleges still have the option of going to a Division I school if they choose.

Meyers has committed to Oklahoma while Sokol has committed to Oregon. Both players Division I eligibility still has to be decided by the NCAA Clearinghouse, WNC coach D.J. Whittemore said.

Both players may also have the option of signing with a Major League team if they're drafted high enough. Whittemore predicted that Sokol will "easily" be drafted in the first 20 rounds, possibly the first 10. "We'll see how that transpires," said Whittemore about what Meyers and Sokol will do.

Other players who have signed or have committed to come to WNC include Riley Bevill, a right-handed pitcher from Boise, Idaho.

"He's a pretty special player," Whittemore said. "We think he's go the potential to be in the rotation when he shows up."

There's also Jeff Barto from Boise, a left-handed pitcher and a first-team all-state choice.

Jordan Bostwick is a left-handed hitting centerfielder from North Medford, Ore., and another first-team all-state performer. Another player from Medford is left-handed pitcher Jordan Lewis, a first-team all-state pick at the 3A level and his league's Player of the Year.

WNC has loaded up on pitching in this class as there's also Sam Gaviglio, a right-handed pitcher from Ashland, Ore.

"He's got a pretty live arm," Whittemore said. "He's a real good competitor on the mound."

In addition, WNC has signed two of Northern Nevada's top players in Reed's C.J. Maldonado, a left-handed hitting catcher and Reno High's Cavin Hill, a right-handed pitcher. "He's got quite a lot of power," said Whittemore about Maldonado.

Other Nevada players in the class is Durango's Michael Stiles. "He has really good speed," Whittemore said. "A great all-around player, really."

There's also two players from Centennial, Dylan Geisler, a right-handed pitcher, and Trevor Goff, a infielder-outfielder.

Another catcher is Corey Raymond of Sandy, Utah. "He's a rare catcher with speed," Whittemore said. "He's got a real good release."

Rounding out the class so far is shortstop Zach Earl from North Medford. Whittemore said WNC will add several more players to the class.

Among the local players WNC is evaluating, Whittemore said, is Reno High's Glen Wallace, an infielder-pitcher, Spanish Springs shortstop Cody Nicovich and Lovelock's Will Schumacher, arguably the best pitcher in the state on the 2A level. "Will Schumacher's on our wish list for sure," Whittemore said.