Signing Day: Klein student-athletes unveil college choices
Numerous Klein Independent School District student-athletes signed their National Letter of Intent to play sports at the collegiate level during National Signing Day, Feb. 6.
The regular Division I football signing period began Feb. 6 and concludes April 1. For Division II recruits, the signing period ends August 1. The regular basketball signing period starts April 17 and closes May 15. The initial signing date for all other Div. I and Div. II sports started last Nov. 14 and closes Aug. 1, 2019.
Over 15 northwest football players signed early ahead of National Signing Day, including Klein Collins four-star running back Isaiah Spiller, who signed at Texas A&M, Langham Creek three-star dual-threat quarterback Chris Herron, who signed at Kansas State, Westfield three-star dual threat quarterback Terrance Gipson, who signed at SMU, and Tomball three-star tight end Logan Compton, who signed at Baylor.
Over 80 northwest Houston athletes, in addition to football, have also signed during the early basketball and football signing periods.
Klein Collins lost to Austin Vandegrift 28-21 in double overtime at Waller ISD Stadium in the Area round. The Tigers ended the season at 10-2 overall and 7-1 in District 15-6A under head coach Adrian Mitchell.
With Mitchell at his side, linebacker Ethan Frazier was named to the first team defense in 15-6A and signed to play football at Grand View University.
“I would like to thank everybody who has been by my side since I’ve been at Klein Collins.” Frazier said. “I want to give a special thanks to coach Mitchell and the Klein Collins Athletic Department for everything, I wouldn’t be here without them either.”
Klein Oak lost to Midway 28-27 at Leonard George Stadium in the third round of the postseason. The Panthers ended the season at 10-3 overall and 6-2 in District 15-6A under head coach Jason Glenn.
Under the leadership of former NFL player Glenn, defensive end and outside linebacker Chas Hill was named to the second team defense in 15-6A and signed to play football at Kilgore Junior College.
“I want to thank all the coaches that have helped me in this process, specially I want to thank coach Glenn and coach Westmoreland for believing and trusting in me when I joined Klein Oak,” Hill said. “I would also like to thank my teammates for accepting me when I became a member of Klein Oak.”
Klein lost to Westfield 10-6, at Leonard George Stadium in the Bi-District round. The Bearkats ended the season at 6-5 overall and 5-3 in District 15-6A under head coach Shane Hallmark.
Hallmark’s secondary included defensive back Omaric Battles, who was named to the first team defense in 15-6A and signed to play football at Southern Arkansas, just like teammate defensive back Dhaki Adams.
“I want to thank the whole Klein High School and community for all the support,” Battles said. Thank you to all my coaches for seeing the potential in me when I was young and showcasing my talents on the varsity level for three years.”
Klein Oak
Volleyball
Jessica Wilson - Hesston College
Baseball
Anthony Wilson - Cedar Valley Junior College
Kyle Bishop - Central Baptist-Arkansas
Christian Huerta - Bossier Parish
Devin Patel - Rutgers University
Soccer
Ava Schulte - Texas Women’s University
Football
Garrett Butler - Texas Wesleyan
Kelvin Scott - Texas A&M-Commerce
Tyler Hudson - University of Central Arkansas
Chase Hill - Kilgore Junior College
Will Kinyo - Texas A&M-Kingsville
Thomas Hathorn - Henderson State
Colbie Habermacher - Sam Houston State University
Dayton Capps - Blinn Junior College
Grant Watts - Culver Stockton
Max Edwards - Texas A&M-Kingsville
Basketball
Timothy Eldridge - Eastern Arizona
Boys soccer
Zachary Thorsen - East Texas Baptist
Luke Silhan - Lubbock Christian University
Francisco Velez - Harding University
Wrestling
Brianna Jones - Schreiner University
Swimming
Riley Klawiter - Wyoming
Klein Collins
Football
Michael Alexander - University of Texas-Permian Basin
Ethan Frazier - Grand View University
Ronzell Raven - Northeastern State University
Carter Rhyne - Abilene Christian University
Kyler Williams - Grand View University
Scott Brighton - University of Texas
Wyatt Evers - The United States Military Academy at West Point
Micah Rupert - United States Army
Caleb Daily - United States Navy
Softball
Renata Boyd - Colorado School of Mines
Madison Dillon - Sam Houston State University
Kenedy Hines - University of Texas - Arlington
Katy Schaefer - Houston Baptist University
Madison Stokes - Paris Junior College
Araya Williams - St. Johns River State College
Skylar Wooten - Angelina College
Sydnye Cromwell - Galveston College
Girls basketball
Devyn Whitten - Huntingdon College
Girls soccer
Nicole Olaya - Navarro College
Swimming and diving
Zachary Pierce - Baldwin Wallace University
Note: Scott Brighton, Wyatt Evers, Micah Rupert, and Caleb Daily, are not playing football. Brighton is the Valedictorian. Evers has an appointment to attend West Point where he plans to throw the discus. Rupert has enlisted in the Army; he is currently in National Guard. Daily will enlist in the Navy in Feb. when he turns 18 years old. Everyone else will be student-athletes next year at their perspective schools.
Klein
Football
Omar Battles - Southern Arkansas
Dhaki Adams - Southern Arkansas
D’Anthony Simms - Blinn College
Jackson Miller - Stephen F. Austin State University
Baseball
Tony Limon - Luna JR College
Cross country
Emily Cole - Duke University
Golf
Madison Freeman - Sam Houston State University
Lacrosse
Hailie Moore - Central Michigan University
Boys soccer
Cody Smith - Schreiner University
Girls soccer
Gillian Cole - Mary Hardin Baylor University
Kristen Walker - Tiffin University
Softball
Baylee Branham - Galveston College
Swimming and diving
Jordan Hennig - University of Hawaii
Trent Holladay - Asbury University
Sarah Decker - Hunter College
Klein Forest
Football
Trey Vance - Navarro Junior College
Christion Derrick - Navarro Junior College
Miles Jenkins - Tyler Junior College
Christian Harris - Midwestern State
Basketball
Khyree McDaniel - Central Oklahoma
Softball
Clarissa Tristan - Coastal Bend College
Baseball
Hagen Barcello - Colby College in Kansas
alvaro.montano@chron.com