Sherwood seniors set to step up to the collegiate level
Caleb Hagan is fast.
He's really, really fast.
In fact, last year, Hagan, now a Sherwood High School senior, was the fastest high school kid in the state of Oregon.
In the future, Hagan will be taking all of that speed to Idaho.
Hagan made that official — as well did seven other Bowmen seniors — when he signed his college national letter of intent in front of friends, family and teammates during a ceremony held Feb. 5 at the school.
"This is really special," said Hagan, who signed to run collegiately for the University of Idaho, located in Moscow, Idaho. "I'm really excited to continue track in college."
Last year, as a junior, Hagan won the championship in the 100-meter dash, in a time of 10.66 seconds, and he triumphed in the 200, with a mark of 21.68, while helping the Sherwood boys finish second in the team standings at the Class 6A state track and field championships, held at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham.
Hagan said that Idaho was the right place for him to continue with his sprinting success.
"I'm confident in the coaches, and everything, so it will be good," said Hagan, who also has been a big-play threat for the Sherwood High School football team. "I just think that the coaches really care about the athletes, and they're going to pay attention to me, when I'm there, and everybody else. It's like a small team environment."
Hagan says that, next year, he'll be ready for college track and field.
"I just need to keep grinding, as usual," he said. "And make sure I don't get injured."
Four of Hagan's Sherwood football teammates also signed their national letters of intent at the ceremony. Logan Carr and Nick Severson will continue to be teammates on the gridiron, as they both signed to play football at Linfield College in McMinnville.
Carr and Severson helped the Bowmen win the Pacific Conference championship this past fall, at 4-0, while going 8-3 on the season and reaching the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs. Severson shared the Pacific Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year honor. Carr, at linebacker, joined Severson as being a unanimous first-team all-conference selection on defense.
Sherwood senior Blake Jensen signed to play basketball at the Oregon Institute of Technology, located in Klamath Falls. This past winter season, Jensen, a post, helped the Bowmen win the Pacific Conference title, at 12-0, while going 19-7 on the season, and reaching the second round of the Class 6A state playoffs. Jensen was a first-team all-conference selection.
Sherwood senior Brody Stevens, a three-sport star for the Bowmen, signed to play men's lacrosse at Whittier College, located in Whittier, Calif. Last year, Stevens was a first-team All-Northwest Oregon Conference selection at an attack spot.
Sherwood senior Jacob Folsom signed to compete for the men's swimming team at Grand Canyon University, located in Phoenix, Ariz.
This February, Folsom won the championship in the 200-yard freestyle event at the Class 6A state swimming championships. He also placed second in the 100 freestyle at the state meet.
Sherwood senior Thomas Osborne signed to run cross country at St. Mary's College, a Division I school located in Moraga, Calif.
This past fall, Osborne helped the Bowmen boys cross country team win the Pacific Conference championship, and then place fifth at the Class 6A state championships, with Osborn placing 16th individually.
Sherwood senior Alysia Alvarado signed to play women's soccer at Peninsula Community College, located in Port Angeles, Wash. This past fall, Alvarado, playing at forward, helped the Lady Bowmen win the Pacific Conference championship, and reach the quarterfinal round of the Class 6A state playoffs. Alvarado was a first-team All-Pacific Conference selection.
Sherwood senior Abby Ramer missed the signing ceremony due to illness, but she will play college tennis at George Fox University in Newberg. Last year, Ramer teamed with now-sophomore Mandie Jensen to win the girls doubles championship at the Pacific Conference district tennis tournament.
"It's just really awesome. I just love seeing my friends succeed," Hagan said of the signing ceremony. "All of the guys from the football team, swimming, soccer, it's just good. I think it shows that the coaches here are really into their athletes. They want them to succeed. I've found that in track, and also football. It's been a good ride."
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