Nine Whitefish Bay athletes sign letters of intent Wednesday

WHITEFISH BAY (WITI) -- On Wednesday, February 5th, all across the country, high school senior athletes signed their name on the line -- committing to a college. It was a big day that comes after years of hard work and dedication.

Families looked on proudly Wednesday as nine senior athletes made a commitment to a university, and an athletic program.

Each signature marks the end of a search and the beginning of their lives beyond Whitefish Bay High School.

"I think it's really exciting cause it's kinda like, leading me into my next four years," Cassidy Blanchard said.

"We're clearly an athletic class and it was really cool to just see us all complete our goals together," Caroline Fink said.

It is a moment shared between friends who will go their separate ways to schools like Columbia, UWM and Iowa State.

"It's like a big symbolic event and it's a lot of fun to be with kids you've grown up with since grade school," Turner DeMuth said.

All nine who signed at Whitefish Bay High School on Wednesday are headed for Division I schools, with a dream of leaving their mark.

"Hopefully I will get on the field my freshman year. My goal is to start," Erin Corrigan said.

Each insists their college choice isn't all about sports.

"I knew it would be a fantastic opportunity academically, and also athletically," Lily Hayes said.

"I just fell in love with the people and the atmosphere and everything about it," Maya Jonas said.

"It's not about the championships. It's more about what you're gonna do in life. It's four years to the next 40 years," Tyler Terveer said.

It was a milestone day for these students, and a chance to celebrate their futures and to thank the parents, coaches and school that helped make it all possible.

"Whitefish Bay has had such great coaching and it's setting me up for a great next four years," Sarah Coffey said.

Here is the breakdown of students signing, their sport, and where they're headed: