Spearfish High School hosts spring day for five student-athletes

SPEARFISH, S.D. – Spearfish High School hosted a special spring celebration yesterday for a group of five student-athletes who all signed letters of intent to compete in collegiate athletics.

Peyton Millis, Chadron State College, Football

Peyton Millis signed a letter of intent on Wednesday to compete in football this fall at Chadron State College.

Millis was a member of the Spartans football team that snapped a 25-game losing streak last season and finished with a record of 4-5.

Plus, he was named First Team All-Conference.

The 6-foot-3 inch senior plans to play strong safety for the Eagles.

“My decision there was pretty easy,” said Peyton Millis. “I took quite a few visits. The coaching staff was one that just really stood out to me. They opened up to me and I could just tell that they wanted me there. Everything that they showed me just in that little visit, I knew it would be home for me.”

Tessa Lucas, Presentation College, Women’s Soccer

Tessa Lucas will play women’s soccer at Presentation College in Aberdeen.

Lucas will be a defender for the Saints as a defensive midfielder or outside back.

She plans to major in nursing.

“I chose Presentation because their soccer program is amazing,” said Tessa Lucas. “I looked into it. The coach was super welcoming and I knew a couple of girls down there. So I’m like why not. Let’s go to Presentation and let’s play some more soccer with them. I played on a traveling team with a couple of the girls so it’s going to be nice to play with them again.”

Bridger Meyer, Northwest College, Men’s Soccer

Meanwhile, Bridger Meyer signed a letter of intent to play men’s soccer at Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming.

Meyer was a member of the Spartans team that finished 9-4-1 this past season.

But lost to Rapid City Central in the first round of the State ‘AA’ playoffs.

“I chose them because they’re just general studies and maybe graphic design I might go into,” said Bridger Meyer. “But mainly the coach. The coach was really nice. He has good work ethic. I just really liked him as a coach.”

Reagan Branum, York College, Dance

In addition, Reagan Branum put pen to paper on Wednesday and plans to compete in dance at York College in York, Nebraska.

Branum said she was looking for a smaller school and York College fit the bill.

“I heard about it through a friend from church camp and I researched more into it because it had both education and biblical studies which is what I want to go into,” said Reagan Branum. “So I looked at it more and realized they had a dance team which I though was perfect. So I could just continuing dancing through my college career, as well. So I went for a visit and about 10 minutes into the visit, I was like I’m going to York.”

Jonathan Bloom, William Penn University, Baseball

Jonathan Bloom plans to continue his baseball career at William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

Bloom will more than likely play first base and be the designated hitter for the Statesmen.

Bloom looked at other schools before deciding to sign with William Penn.

“I had a preferred walk on offer from Oklahoma Wesleyan and really a bunch of JUCO’s from all over,” said Jonathan Bloom. “I talked to a couple from Kansas and there was three or four from up in New York that I was talking with. But William Penn ended up being the final decision for me because they have what I want to major in and I can stay there for four years and continue playing baseball.”