Menlo-Atherton and Woodside High School Athletes Sign Letters of Intent

Thirteen senior athletes at Menlo-Atherton High School and ten students at Woodside High School signed their letters of intent to their respective colleges during a signing event held on Feb. 7. Among the colleges represented were Georgetown University, Amherst College, University of California at Santa Barbara, and University of Virginia.

Parents, friends, and classmates came out to show their support for these student athletes who have committed to NCAA Division 1 through 3 collegiate sports programs in sports such as lacrosse, track and field, baseball, and swimming. Sporting their college gear, the students made it official by signing their national letters of intent (NLI).

Steven Kryger, M-A athletics director, lacrosse coach, and math teacher, expressed pride in the school’s premier athletic program. Each year, M-A sees around 12-20 students signing to collegiate sports, with more expected to sign in the spring.

Tatum Olesen: A Standout Athlete

Tatum Olesen, a widely recognized student athlete in the Peninsula, signed with the University of Virginia for D1 cross country and track. Olesen, who plays three sports for M-A including soccer, cross country, and track, was awarded Girls’ Athlete of the Year for the 2022-23 school year by the San Mateo Daily Journal.

Reflecting on her decision to attend the University of Virginia, Olesen expressed excitement about the campus and the support she received from the coach. Her parents, Marc and Avery Olesen, shared her excitement and pride in their daughter’s achievements.

Success Built on Hard Work and Support

High school student athletes like Olesen are supported by a village of people who contribute to their success. Steven Kryger highlighted the dedication and hard work of these students and acknowledged the role played by coaches, teammates, and parents.

“It takes a village for these kids to do well. There are lots of people that are working for their success.”

Steven Kryger, M-A athletics director, lacrosse coach, and math teacher

Woodside High School Joins the Celebration

Woodside High School also held its own NLI signing day, with ten student athletes signing to colleges such as Chapman University, Brown University, and UC San Diego for swimming, volleyball, rowing, and baseball.

During the event, each student was introduced by guidance counselor Francisco Negri and had the opportunity to share their plans for college, express gratitude towards their parents, teammates, and coaches, and offer advice to other high school athletes. Their heartfelt messages were read aloud at the event.

These student athletes have been involved in sports since a young age, some for as long as 14 years. Their dedication to their sport and commitment to playing at the collegiate level is a testament to their hard work. Alongside their athletic pursuits, students like Edana Huang, a swimmer, have academic aspirations and plan to major in bioengineering at UC San Diego.

Ben Ricketts, who signed to play football for the College of San Mateo, credited high school sports for teaching him about hard work and work ethic, skills he plans to carry into his future career as a firefighter.

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