Area athletes make it official on signing day

Hannah van Warmerdam had never been so nervous to sign her name on a piece of paper.

She wasn’t alone.

Atwater High School classmate Derek Molina struggled to keep a steady hand.

The two Falcons seniors signed their national letter of intent to accept scholarships to their respective colleges during a ceremony in the Atwater gym Wednesday morning.

Van Warmerdam is headed to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to play volleyball and Molina will play baseball at Cal State Northridge.

“It’s really a big day,” said van Warmerdam, who played varsity all four years at Atwater. “I’m still a little nervous even though all we did was sign a piece of paper. It’s a big relief to know where I’m going to be the next four years. Now that I’ve signed, it’s official.”

For Molina, who plays shortstop and pitches, it was a dream come true.

“This has been one of my goals,” he said. “I’ve always wanted this to happen since I was a little kid. I’m blessed to get this opportunity.”

Both Atwater athletes were joined by family, friends, classmates and coaches. That the ceremony took place in the gym van Warmerdam spent so many hours seemed fitting.

“It’s really symbolic to have it here,” she said. “I’ve spent a lot of time here.”

Wednesday marked the first day of the early signing period for non-football athletes. There were a few signing ceremonies around Merced County.

▪ At Golden Valley, Belen Castillo signed to play volleyball at Cal.

“It’s an unreal feeling,” she said. “It’s really hitting me right now how real it is.”

Castillo knew Cal was the right choice after visiting the campus.

“Just being at Cal, I got a vibe that I didn’t get at the other colleges I went to,” said Castillo, a four-year starter for the Cougars.

▪ At Pacheco, Gia Rodoni signed to play softball at Baylor. Rodoni went 8-3 for the Panthers last year with 157 strikeouts and a 0.59 ERA in 71 innings.

▪ At Buhach Colony, Dyonne Vargas signed to play softball at Cleveland State. Vargas was an all-Central California Conference selection last year as a pitcher/first baseman.

“I’m pretty excited,” Vargas said. “I’m kind of nervous to move far away from home, but I’m excited to play. I’ve waited for so long, and now this piece of paper seals the deal. It’s like closing the final chapter on high school and all my youth sports.”

Van Warmerdam became the first Falcons volleyball player to accept a Division I scholarship since Atwater coach Toni Garcia signed with Santa Clara in 2001.

“Because it’s something I experienced, I know all the excitement that is coming for her,” Garcia said. “I’m so happy for her.”

This story was originally published November 12, 2014 at 8:16 PM with the headline "Area athletes make it official on signing day."