Wilson honors college-bound athletes
LONG BEACH » Wilson senior water polo player Sean Tunnicliff said it took more than a decade of hard work inside the pool and inside the classroom to earn the opportunity to play water polo at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania.
That's why Monday's Class of 2023 signing day ceremony at Wilson High meant so much to him.
In total, 25 Wilson student-athletes from eight different sports were honored.
“It means a lot to me not only athletically but academically as well,” Tunnicliff said. “I've been playing water polo since I was 5 years old, so it means a lot to be able to continue that. I know my hard work definitely contributed and I'm proud I was able to continue on to college athletics . ... I'm happy to be able to represent Long Beach and Wilson as well, all they've done for me. I'm glad I can give some back and academically as well, it's an incredible opportunity and it was really hard to pass up.”
Tunnicliff credits his mother for pushing him academically so that he was able to take advantage of the opportunity to attend Bucknell, which is informally known as a “Hidden Ivy” or a “Little Ivy.”
“It took a lot of hard work in school, a lot of time after school doing homework, studying as well,” Tunnicliff said. “I had to sign up for really rigorous AP classes to really prepare me for this . ... My mom really pushed me really hard and I appreciate her for all she's done. I really wouldn't be here without her, and her pushing me academically has helped me stay motivated and that motivation has got me where I am so I'm very proud of it.”
The ceremony was meaningful, too, for the school's
WILSON SIGNING DAY
Track and field
Aujane Luckey, Arizona State Ma'Nia Tidwell, San Jose State
Brooklyn Moultry, San Jose State
Soccer
Reese Doherty, Cal Olivia Herrera, Arizona State Gavin Pool-Harris, Point Loma Nazarene
Lacrosse
Cyan Fellows, Pacific Brock Cruz, Concordia Joseph Pappas, Long Beach State
Softball
Juliana Babore, Cal Poly coaches and administrators, as they saw the student-athletes achieve their goals for college.
Golf
Alyson Sor, UC Irvine Ky Stopp, Hawaii Chaminade
Water polo
Maya O'Dea, Harvard Charlotte Echlin, Long Beach State
Zoe Grover, UC San Diego Vivian Bailey, UC Irvine Brady Simon, UC Davis Sean Tunnicliff, Bucknell
Volleyball
Max Cherin, Long Island Allanah Smith, CS San Marcos
Valerie Coward, Westmont
Rowing
Annika Morallos, Gonzaga
“As much as I will miss watching you here at Wilson in those Bruin uniforms, I know that you are on to great things in your college endeavors,” said Wilson principal Rebecca Caverly. “Best of luck to everyone. And our studentathletes, don't forget, once a Bruin, always a Bruin.”
“Being here at Wilson, it's quite a journey,” said senior Olivia Herrera, a star goalkeeper on the school's girls soccer team who signed with Arizona State. “I guess you could say I grew up with a bunch of these players. My teammate (Reese Doherty, who signed with Cal), I grew up with her. We went through a soccer journey and going through the journey of my four years with all these athletes has been amazing, and I'm so excited to be a Sun Devil. It's going to be a little bit different but I'm excited.”
Herrera, who is excited to play Pac-12 soccer, said it's hard to pinpoint what she will miss most about Wilson.
“I'm going to miss my friends a lot. All the staff, the teachers here are great,” Herrera said. “I think I'm going to miss all of it together.”
Wilson senior hurdler Ma'Nia Tidwell, a fouryear varsity athlete, made a surprise announcement at Monday's event. Tidwell's final four schools were Long Beach State, UC Davis, Florida A&M and San Jose State. She pulled out a sweatshirt from her backpack, revealing her choice to attend San Jose State.
Tidwell is ranked No. 9 in California in the girls 300 hurdles heading into this week's CIF State Track and Field Championships.
MAI RICKS
School: Poly
Sport: Track and field
Year: Junior
Noteworthy: Ricks qualified for the CIF State Track and Field Championships in the shot put with a throw of 41 feet and 81/2 inches, which was a personal record. The junior finished fifth at the CIF-SS Masters Meet on Saturday. She is one of three Jackrabbit girl athletes who qualified as individuals for the state meet at Buchanan High in Clovis on Friday and Saturday.