8 Golden High School athletes celebrate National Signing Day

For now, they’re all wearing maroon and white. But, in a few short months, eight Golden Demons will be sporting different jerseys — perhaps on opposite sides of the field.

On April 17, Golden High School participated in National Signing Day as eight seniors committed to play college sports. The seniors, their family members, coaches, teammates and teachers celebrated the day with a short ceremony followed by a flood of photos.

Golden recognized:

• Jada Goodman, who will play women’s soccer at Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi;
• Flynn Halsor, who will play men’s soccer at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida;
• Mason LaBrie, who will play football at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts;
• Trey McBroom, who will play baseball at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado;
• Sophia Nickel, who will play women’s soccer at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas;
• Cole Sjogren, who will play football at the University of Jamestown in Jamestown, North Dakota;
• Montrey Strickland, who will play football at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado; and
• Jonathan Wheeler, who will play football at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.

LaBrie couldn’t attend the ceremony as he was traveling, GHS administrators said. But, the other seven seniors celebrated their achievements at Golden and shared a few remarks before signing their forms.

They thanked their family members, coaches and teammates, saying they couldn’t have reached this point in their academic and athletic careers without everyone’s support. Halsor remarked that playing soccer at the college level was privilege he would “never take for granted.”

The administrators applauded the eight seniors for their continuous efforts both on and off the field, saying they’ve sacrificed so much of their time to improve themselves and their teams. It was a moment of great pride to see Demons advance to the next level, they continued.

After the ceremony, Strickland was excited to play UNC football this fall, saying he started talking to officials in November and liked the energy on campus. Strickland, an offensive tackle in football, hopes to be involved with the UNC track team on top of his football commitment.

Strickland recalled transferring from Pomona High School his sophomore year. He already had a good friend at GHS, but everyone else welcomed him with open arms and supported him as he played football, basketball and track for the Demons.

He said his coaches and teammates in all three sports, along with his teachers, pushed him to do his best.

When he arrived at Golden, he said he wasn’t the best student. But, with everyone’s support, he worked hard to improve academically. Now, Strickland’s planning to major in marketing, business management or a similar field.

The greatest lesson he’s learned from sports, he continued, is good time management and how to maintain a strong work ethic — both on the field and in the classroom.

Along with Strickland, Goodman was likewise thrilled “to start this next chapter of my life” as a NCAA Division I student-athlete.

Goodman, who’s planning to major in kinesiology, said she chose MVSU because it has a solid women’s soccer program with a good coaching staff. Plus, she liked Mississippi’s warmer climate, she added.

Goodman, who plays striker on the GHS girls soccer team, started playing when she joined Colorado Ice at age 8. She thanked her teammates — past and present — for all their support, saying they helped her immensely by motivating her to improve herself on and off the field.

“I’ve enjoyed my time here so much,” she said of her academic and athletic career at GHS. “ … I’m taking the next step forward.”

Click through additional photos of the April 17 National Signing Day ceremony here: