Cleveland High proud of grads signed to play college sports

By DAVID F. ASHTON
for THE BEE

As the lunch bell sounded at Cleveland High School (CHS) on May 15, nine graduating students took seats at library tables.

“These are student athletes who will be going to colleges, and playing a sport at that college,” explained CHS Athletic Director Mike Shanahan. “Today we’re having a celebration for those students.”

Seated at the table, the students talked briefly about what they enjoyed most about their sports program.  They agreed, pretty much unanimously, that they’ve enjoyed competing with their teammates, and socializing with them as well.

The students at the celebration were:

• Taylor Ristvedt, to Southern Oregon University to play volleyball;
• Perry Williams, to Rider University to play volleyball;
• Zöe Lequeux, to Cornell University to play volleyball;
• Anthony Zimmerman, to Lake Forest College to play football;
• Emily Marcum, to Linfield College to play soccer;
• Ava Mickola, to Evergreen State College to play soccer;
• Gabrielle Dewson, to Willamette University competing in swimming;
• Madeleine Willard-Herr, to Pacific Lutheran University participating in Cross Country and Track;
• Emma Wren, to Kansas State, participating in Cross Country and Track.

At least three additional CHS athletes were chosen to play sports at their chosen colleges; one of those singled out by Shanahan was Alex Della Corte, who has committed to the University of Oregon to play lacrosse. “This is significant for Cleveland Boys Lacrosse,” he explained, “As he is the first player in our twelve-year history to be actively recruited by multiple schools!”

Sellwood resident Emma Wren remarked sthat she was a “true local”, having attended Llewellyn Elementary, and then Sellwood Middle School, before coming to Cleveland.

“I played soccer in middle school, but going into the freshman year, I decided to start running and see where this sport could take me,” Wren told THE BEE. “I did not know that I would come this far; it’s really exciting what has happened.”

What happened was that, at the 2015 State 5-A competition, Wren won the 3,000 meter track event with her best personal time. “I’m going to compete at State again this year, but now that we’re a 6-A, I know the competition will be really good.”

At Kansas State, Wren plans to study engineering or statistics.

THE BEE wishes all of the graduating CHS athletes, as well as every Cleveland graduate, the very best.

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