Four Spanish Springs seniors made their college plans official on Wednesday afternoon at a signing ceremony held outside the school’s gym.
Josh Prizina highlighted the group. He signed his national letter intent to stay home and play baseball at Nevada after verbally committing in July.
“It’s amazing. It’s like a dream,” he said. “I just can’t wait to go play up there. It’s crazy.”
Prizina, a catcher, is continuing a family tradition of going to Nevada. His uncle, Jim Puzey, who was also a catcher, played for the Wolf Pack from 1982-85 and was a member of the athletic program’s 2016 Hall of Fame class.
“Oh, ever since I was younger (I was a Nevada fan),” Prizina said. “And a bunch of my family went there too.”
Golfer Jada McAlister signed a letter of intent to continue her career at Alabama State – a Div. I program in Montgomery, Ala.
She considered the likes of Idaho, Xavier and Hawaii, but after getting noticed by the coaching staff at an amateur tournament in San Diego in June, her mind was quickly made up.
“I really, really like Alabama State,” she said. “I think it was just the environment. Everyone was super friendly. It’s a small campus, small class sizes.
“It’s a little far away, but I’m really excited. I can’t wait.”
McAlister finished sixth overall in the 4A state tournament three weeks ago in Las Vegas, recovering from a first-round 87 with an even par-72 in the second.
“The first day it was kind of rough so the second day I knew I had to play better,” she said. “My dad kind of slapped some sense into me. He said ‘you need to putt better or else you’re not going to finish top six.’ I definitely came out there really trying to play that day.”
McAlister’s teammate, Emma Gilmore, also signed a letter of intent. She will continue golfing at Dominican University of California, a Div. II school just north of San Francisco.
Gimore tied for ninth at this year’s 4A state tournament after taking fifth at the 4A North regional tourney.
“I really liked the school and the team … and the coach really wanted me to go there,” Gilmore said. “That made me feel really good.”
Gymnast Alexia Burch chose the University of Utah over other big schools such as the University of California – Berkley, Nebraska, Michigan and Boise State.
Gymnastics is not a Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association sport, so Burch trains at Flips USA Gymnastics off Glendale and McCarran. While she competes in all four events (beam, floor, vault and uneven bars), but she prefers beam.
“It’s pretty amazing. Words to describe it,” Burch said of committing to Utah. “It’s been a dream since I was 10.
“I was actually only looking at Utah once I started getting recruited. It’s an amazing school. They have an amazing atmosphere.”
Laura says
Always awesome to see great local kids do great things! So proud of this group, but extra excited to watch Josh play at home! Go Pack!