Three seniors have signed contracts to continue their athletic careers starting in the fall of 2025. Two more seniors are still deciding where to commit.
Senior Vallory Kuelker will play basketball at the University of Southern Utah at the Division I level, while senior Katherine Garr will play basketball at Bowdoin College at the Division III level. Senior football player Arjun Ari has committed to the University of Rochester at the Division III level. Senior Jolyn Ding will play Division III basketball but hasn’t announced her commitment, and senior soccer athlete Paul Sapilewski is currently reviewing Division I offers.
“I’m really looking forward to the challenge that college brings,” Sapilewski said. “I’m excited that [everyone] is coming from different parts of the country to play.”
To these athletes, playing their sports gives them a sense of purpose and brings joy to themselves and the people they work with.
“The teammates and people I’ve met have been my best friends, and the coaches are my role models,” Garr said. “I just feel like there have been so many positives in my life from it, and it just makes my life better.”
The transition between high school and college is a big change for some, and Kuelker identified what she thinks the biggest challenges will be.
“I think going against people that are more experienced than me will be challenging,” Kuelker said. “I think mentally, it’s gonna be really hard to get used to leaving home and being far away.”
As Pinewood athletes embark on the next chapter of their lives and athletic careers, they are setting new goals for the future.
“My goals are to find my role in a new setting and challenge myself to grow in this new setting where I’m no longer the biggest or strongest guy on the field,” Ari said.
Garr said she’s looking forward to the camaraderie and enjoyment that comes with the game.
“I just want to enjoy the moment and spend as much time as I can with my teammates,” Garr said. “I think having fun is the most important part.”
