Costa holds second National Signing Day

By Jack Allen
Executive Opinion Editor

Mira Costa held its second National Signing Day ceremony of the school year in the new quad on Feb. 5 to recognize students who have committed to a collegiate athletic team.

National Signing Day at Costa happens three times a year at the end of every athletic season. The event allows Costa athletes, who are being recruited, to sign off on their commitment letters to a college or university in front of Costa faculty and their peers.

“It is a great event where we get to showcase our kids and our athletic programs,” Costa Vice Principal and Athletic Director Jamie Mancilla said.

February’s ceremony honored four senior student-athletes: Kimberly Keever, Mandy Mckeegan, Casey Sublette and Jalani Tavai. Mckeegan and Keever signed their letters of commitment to play soccer at the University of California at Davis and the University of Washington, respectively. Tavai committed to playing football at the University of Hawaii, and Sublette committed to the United States Naval Academy for football as well.

“Being a recruited athlete is amazing, and I’m truly speechless,” Tavai said. “I was trying to keep it somewhat of a secret, and it is great to finally be in front of my friends and school at the end of all the hard work.”

According to Mancilla, this day also sends a message to other colleges that the athletes are no longer eligible to be contacted by programs other than the school they have committed to. Now that their letters have been signed, these four Costa student-athletes would have to go through an appeal process if they wish to change their decision on which university to attend.

“It took about a year of researching schools and talking to college coaches to actually make my decision, so that’s why I’m so happy and loving my choice,” Mckeegan said.

Another National Signing Day ceremony will be held in April at Costa for athletes who as of now have not yet made a final decision. It will include athletes from the fall, winter and spring sports programs.

“I wish we could have this type of ceremony for students who are recruited for academics or another type of extracurricular, but right now it is only available to our athletes, and it is a wonderful opportunity for them,” Mancilla said. “It shows that dedication to a sport and school will take students places.”