On the eve of National Letter of Intent day Tuesday night, some student-athletes were still mulling over their choices.
Kentlake soccer standout Frederike Dubeau, however, wasn’t among those still debating.
She knew.
Dubeau, a first-team all-South Puget Sound League North Division defender, gave Cleveland State University a verbal commitment in April and hasn’t looked back.
“I like the city and I like the team,” said Dubeau, who signed a letter of intent on Wednesday. “It’s far away, a new experience and I really like the coaching staff.”
Dubeau heads a strong class of local athletes who made it official on Wednesday by signing on the dotted line. Of the group, five will be playing soccer next year in college. Four of those athletes — Rachel Bindl, Mackenzie Meyers, Alex White and Megan Walburn — helped Kentwood bring home a school-best third-place trophy from the state tournament in November.
Bindl will be heading to the University of Montana, Meyers chose Central Washington, Alex White will remain close to home at Green River Community College while Walburn remained on the fence between Great Falls of Montana and Evergreen.
Student-athletes were not required to sign their letter of intent on Wednesday, it was simply their first opportunity to do so.
“It’s great for the kids,” said Kentwood girls soccer coach Aaron Radford. “I’m happy that they’re able to move out of our four years and keep playing.”
Kentwood’s Walburn isn’t the only student-athlete still deciding between schools.
Kentridge linebacker Devin Topps, who missed all but three games in the fall with an injured knee, accepted a full-ride scholarship to play next season with teammate Dylan Zylstra at Eastern Washington University. However, Topps still may change his mind.
“If the University of Washington comes into play and offers me a grey shirt or something, I will take it,” Topps said. “That’s my dream to be on the national stage to play for a top university. If I feel like I can work my way into a scholarship (at UW), that’s where I will go.”
Kent-Meridian defensive and offensive lineman Sai Siafuafu, an all-SPSL North honorable mention selection, also got into the mix on Wednesday, signing with Central Washington University.
“He has a great motor and is quick off the ball,” said K-M coach Trevor Roberts. “He has a ton of potential.”
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