10 BHS seniors sign to play sports in college

Ten Bainbridge High School athletes signed letters of intent May 29 to continue playing their sports at the collegiate level.

They are: Elise Gonzales, Ella McRitchie and Brad Levine in track, Owen Browning in baseball, Ella Harrington in lacrosse, Logan Sweeny in football, Natalie Noel in rowing, and Micah Webber and Michael Bannister in water polo, and Gabby Weiss in soccer.

Harrington led the Spartans to the state playoffs. She will be playing lacrosse at Whitman College in Walla Walla. Her path to college has been different from the rest.

“You become a stronger leader when you face adversity like her in her career,” assistant coach Delaney Larkin said. “She lost teammates her freshman year. She is not only playing on her behalf but on behalf of those no longer with us. She will continue to play for them for the rest of her career.”

Noel has been rowing since eighth grade. She started in the single shell but moved to coxswain after two years. She will be competing at Oregon State University.

Assistant coach Sue Entress said, “She is one of the finest coxers to come through (Bainbridge Island Rowing) and was beloved by her teammates. She was standing for fairness, equity and high standards.”

Gonzales will continue running at University of Puget Sound. Although she could not be there, assistant track & field coach Jena Winger said: “It has been easy to take Elise’s talent, maturity and leadership for granted. Elise is a fantastic communicator who is always prepared to grind and separate the things that don’t matter with the things that truly do.”

Gonzales has the 13th fastest 3200 event time in 12 minutes, 7.50 seconds and the 16th fastest 1600 time in 5:31.55.

Webber led the Spartans to two state water polo titles as one of its top scorers. In addition, he finished his career as the state’s Most Valuable Player as a senior. He will be playing at Pitzer College in Claremont, CA.

“We are super excited to continue to cheer him on,” water polo coach Kristin Gellert said.

Bannister was goalie for three seasons, earning MVP his sophomore and senior years. He will be playing at the University of Redlands in Redlands, CA.

“He is an incredible athlete and super driven,” Gellert said. “He saved our backs many times.”

Sweeny, in his senior season, picked up 10 receptions for 168 yards and four touchdowns. Plus, he had 43 tackles and two interceptions on defense. He is going to Whitman.

“It’s disappointing having only one year with him but stoked to see him stay in the state,” coach Dan Schoonmaker said. “They are getting a high dollar value for this athlete. He was the captain for us and epitomized our team values.”

Browning will head to Truman State University in Missouri for baseball. He missed signing day because of the rowing nationals. Others who missed signing day were Weiss who is heading to Willamette University for soccer, LeVine who is heading to the University of Oregon for track & field and McRitchie who is going to Harvard for track & field.

“There are some redeeming qualities and characteristics in all of these students,” athletic director Luke Ande said. “They are all hard workers, dedicated and invested in their sport and a great representation of their community.”