Something must be in the water at San Marcos High School. Highlighted by six signees from the aquatics program, and five from girl’s soccer, 19 of San Marcos’ very own student-athletes signed this year to continue their academic and athletic careers at the next level.
Sadi Adams – University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy (St. Louis) Lacrosse
A three-year varsity midfielder, Adams has played a key role in the recent success of the lacrosse team, scoring 39 goals in 21 games this year. “I loved the placement in a big city, I really wanted to go to a big city,” Adams said in regards to why she chose UHSP St. Louis, “Everyone (on the team) is very supportive and everyone just pushed each other to be better.”
Adams has made great improvements since playing lacrosse for the first time as a freshman in high school, and will look to continue this progression at the collegiate level.
Marina Brown – UC Berkeley Water Polo
One of three San Marcos girls water polo players to sign, Brown is a four-year varsity center whose signing has been a long time coming.
“I’ve always wanted to go (to Berkely), not just for the water polo program but for the academics,” Brown said. “My dad and grandfather both went there so it’s always been a dream of mine.”Brown will be looking to make an immediate impact on a Cal water polo team that ranked 5th in the nation last year.
Naomi Enright – UCSB Water Polo
A hometown hero, Enright will make a short trip out to Isla Vista to join the UCSB Women’s water polo team.
“I really like how young the team is and there’s a lot of potential for everyone to grow over the next couple of years so it will be really interesting to see where the team heads,” Enright said. “I was talking to a couple of different schools that were far away but I’m just a homebody at heart.”
Enright was stellar at wing all season, scoring a team-high four goals this year in the Royals’ last game of the season.
Maddie Kelly – Lewis & Clark Lacrosse
Known for her hustle plays as an attacker, Kelly’s senior season was unfortunately cut short due to injury. However, in her junior season, she was key to San Marcos’ success , racking up 9 assists which ranked her 9th overall in channel league. In continuing her career at Lewis & Clark, she looks to find similar success
Taylor Steelman – TCU Swimming
Steelman has been a force to be reckoned with ever since she stepped foot in the pool, and everyone knows it- she was voted “most athletic” in senior superlatives and has competed at national-level swim meets since before high school.
“I just liked the nice campus and they have a lot of resources for athletes,” Steelman said. “It’s really exciting, I’ve worked a lot of years for this and it’s kind of a relief too.”
Steelman is recently coming off her best season yet, where she took second place at the CIF state meet in the 500 yard freestyle.
Josie Gamberdella – Long Beach State Beach Volleyball
Gamberdella has been a varsity starter since freshman year and has dominated both indoor and beach volleyball.
“It’s really exciting and it’s an honor to be able to say that I am going to (college) to play beach,” Gamberdella said. “It’s always been a goal of mine and I’m just really blessed that I can do it.”
Gamberdella was the 2024 Channel League MVP for indoor volleyball and has a collection of All-Channel League First Team nominations, a resume that will only improve with her time at LBSU.
Lucy Haaland-Ford – Stanford Water Polo
Haaland-Ford does not just compete for San Marcos; she is also a member of the Women’s National team, where she plays a key role on both sides of the ball as a 2M defender/Utility. “It’s been years that I’ve been working at this, so it’s really exciting,” Haaland-Ford said. “Honestly, I’ve been wanting to go to Stanford since I was 10 years old. The first time I played there, it was just a dream.”
In addition to the great academics, Haaland-Ford will look to make an impact on what was last year’s #1 ranked team in the nation.
Carly Kieding – Yale Sailing
While sailing is not a CIF-sanctioned sport, Kieding has been a phenomenal skipper in her time sailing, recently placing sixth out of 21 in the Division A district championship.
“It’s super exciting, this is a dream come true,” Kieding said. “I really like the coach, I like the campus and the whole team there.”
Mateo Obando – Loyola Marymount Water Polo
Obando is a four-year varsity player who began his high school career at Santa Barbara High before transferring over to San Marcos for his junior and senior year.
“Ever since I was 8 years old I’ve been playing water polo, it’s a great feeling and I’m really excited,” Obando said. “I went on a visit there and it felt very much like a family, the team was very close and I love the coaches and all the players, and it isan awesome school as well.”Since transferring, Obando has helped lead this team to success, capturing the CIF-SS Div. 2 title last year and playing well enough this season to be placed in the tough Open Division playoffs this year
Sierra Tallman – San Diego State Swimming
Widely considered the greatest swimmer to come from San Marcos, Tallman is a multi-time All-American who holds six San Marcos records, four more than anyone else. She also holds the Channel League record for the 200 IM.
“I’m so excited, I’ve put a lot of hard work into swimming so I’m really excited to see where I go at San Diego State,” Tallman said. “They have a great team, a lot of improvement, they have a really great coach so I’m excited for a new team environment.” A four-time Santa Barbara Roundtable Athlete of the Year, Tallman will look to continue her dominance at a strong SDSU program.
Sofia Vazquez – Westmont Soccer
Vazquez was a standout center defensive midfielder (CDM) this season for the Royals and was rewarded with an All-Channel League Second team selection.
“It’s a relief, it’s really a weight off my shoulders and I don’t have to go to any tournaments or anywhere I’m being scouted so it’s nice to finish the year relaxed,” Vazquez said in regards to her signing.
Wendy Guarneros Barraza – Willamette Soccer
Guarneros is yet another four-year varsity starter, recently having her best season as she was named to the All-Channel League First team.
“What really drew me into Willamette University was that their community is such a beautiful community and they all really care for one another, not just in sports, but also academics,” Guarneros Barraza said. “I’ve always dreamed of this, and finally, it’s here, so I’m excited for what the next four years have to come for me.”
Guarneros helped lead the Royals defensively this season and will hope to have the same impact at Willamette.
Ben Callanan – San Marcos Cross Country/Track & Field
Son of former Royals great Dave Callanan, Ben has been a four-year varsity runner in cross country and has been the team captain for two of those years. He was recently named to the All-Channel League First Team in a season where he helped lead the Royals to a 12th place finish in CIF-SS Division 3. In going from one San Marcos to another, he will look to develop as the distances increase for collegiate cross country, going from 5k distance to 8k/10k.
“It felt like somewhere where I’ll really be accepted and grow, not only as a person, but as an athlete and as a student for the next four years.” Callanan said “I’m really excited to get the opportunity to work hard and get better.”
Kenzie Hessell – University of Saint Andrew’s Soccer
Hessell will be continuing her athletic and academic career at the University of Saint Andrew’s, a college based in Scotland.
“I’m really excited. I’ve always been traveling since I was young, and it’s an amazing school with an amazing program, so I’m just really excited to be able to continue my development there,” Hessell said.
Hessell played a key role this year in leading the Royals to a win in the CIF-SS playoffs.
Molly McCarter – Whitworth Lacrosse
McCarter is a four-year varsity midfielder who has enjoyed two very successful seasons after battling concussions that prematurely ended her freshman and sophomore seasons. A captain on the team, she has played a crucial role on both sides of the field, leading the Royals to two consecutive Channel League titles.
“I’m really excited to be committed to somewhere where I know I’m gonna feel like I’m at home,” McCarter said. “The second I stepped on campus, I just knew it was the place for me, and so I’m just really excited to go somewhere where I know it’s going to work.”
Nicolly Oh – Lander University Soccer
One of the top scorers this year for San Marcos, Oh scored five goals in eight games this year. She will be going across the country to South Carolina to play at the Division 2 level.
“I’m thrilled to go play soccer,” Oh said. “I’ve worked for it since I was five and it’s really exciting getting to see my other teammates sign too.
Seamus Russell – Columbia College Lacrosse
Russell has been outstanding for San Marcos as a long-stick midfielder and as a defender for the past four years.
“I think the biggest thing that drew me into the Midwest was definitely just a change in culture,” Russell said. “The people out there, all my teammates, everyone that I met was very kind and very loving and just a different culture… and I’m excited to get out of here and experience that.”
Himmat Singh – Redlands Golf
Singh has been a part of a strong royals golf team that has won five straight Channel League titles. He placed tenth at Channel League Champions, securing a CIF spot as an individual.
Playing in many junior golf tournaments these past few years on many junior tours, he has had multiple top 10 finishes throughout his career, notably an eighth-place finish at the California Junior Golf Balboa Junior Open.
Hattie Valdez-Lindgren – Lewis & Clark Soccer
Valdez-Lindgren was all over the field during her four years as a varsity midfielder, and will be doing much of the same at Lewis & Clark.
“The campus is just gorgeous, and when I went and visited, everyone there was so nice, and it’s such a community,” Valdez Lindgren said. “I got to meet the coach and the team and I immediately clicked with them, and it was like this is where I’m supposed to be.”