Cedar Park athletics always strives for excellence in their programs, and encourages their players to put forth 100 percent day in and day out. But when the curtain is finally closed during their final season as seniors, a handful of lucky players are invited to continue playing at the collegiate level.

On National Signing Day, February 2, many high school football seniors across the country signed their letters of intent to their prospected universities. The Cedar Park High School field house overflowed with students, teammates, press and faculty as all watched the special few Timberwolf seniors who have earned the right to play at the next level. This year’s signee’s will follow in the footsteps of last year’s Cedar Park signee, Dom Espinosa who is at Texas. The 2011 class includes Chet Moss who will join Espinosa at Texas, Jarrett Hudson and Collin Middleton will both join the Air Force Academy, Matt Wofford will head to Rice, Beau Smith will play for Sam Houston State, Tyler Chauvin signed with Texas A&M-Kingsville, Cody Grelle will go to chilly Montana State, Spencer Drango will head to Baylor and Jeff Peden will join the Alabama State Hornets next fall.  Spring sports are also sending many promising athletes to the college level.

“Every second of every summer we played basketball on a tournament team. We played year round, and went to out of state tournaments where we knew college recruiters were in attendance. We never stopped, and in certain summers we would play up to a 100 games,” Madi Hess, senior and 2011 Concordia University recruit, said.

Hess, along with fellow senior Madison Kramr will play for Concordia starting next fall. The dynamic duo has been playing together since fourth grade, and have always known what their lifelong goal would be. Due to their tremendous efforts and remarkable chemistry the two acquired spots on the same roster. With the chemistry the two share, it can be used as a huge advantage next season, not only for them but for their new team as well. 

“Madi and I have a connection that I don’t really have with anyone else on the team,” Madison Kramr, senior and 2011 Concordia recruit, said. “I think next year it will give the whole team an advantage because we know how well we work together, and how each of us plays. We’ve gotten to know each other’s playing styles so well over the past eight years that it’s like second nature.”

Hess and Kramr aren’t the only Cedar Park basketball players moving up next season. Dylan Cox nabbed the attention of Army recruiters, and eventually recieved an offer to join the team at West Point next year. Basketball has always been Cox’s first love and, although he also shines on the football field, West Point’s offer was one that he just couldn’t refuse.

“I chose West Point for several reasons,” Dylan Cox, senior and 2011 Army recruit said. “The coaching staff is so awesome and I feel like I will fit perfectly into their system, and help them make the team successful. Also, in going to West Point I get to serve the country that has been so loving to me.”

Along with all the fall sports that have seniors continuing on next year, spring sports also have seniors continuing on to the next level. At the end of the upcoming season, the Cedar Park softball team will send off Janelle Lopez and Mackenzie Loftin as they begin their collegiate careers. Lopez is heading to Northern Colorado University and Loftin will attend the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor.

The high standards of Cedar Park athletics eventually works in favor of the players. The lessons they’ve been taught and the trials they’ve endured is sure to help them achieve goals at the next level. In working together and putting in that extra effort they proved why they deserve to play in college.