Elite Kansas high school athletes sign letters of intent to compete at next level

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - The newest wave of Kansas high school athletes is officially headed to the next level as national signing day took place Wednesday. Athletes from all over the state put the pen to paper for their national letter of intent to their college home.

Of the multiple athletes heading to play sports at the next level from across Kansas, some are headed to heights that not many achieve, the Division I level. Just in the Wichita area, that list includes, but is not limited to, two basketball standouts, one of the best runners in Kansas history and the state’s all-time leading goal scorer in soccer.

David Castillo -- Sunrise Christian Academy basketball -- Signed with K-State: Castillo is a big get for Jerome Tang at Kansas State University. At his signing Wednesday, the four-start prospect discussed his decision to take his talents to Manhattan.

“I stand before you with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and humility as I sign my National Letter of Intent to join the Kansas State family,” he said. “This is a tremendous honor, not just for myself, but my family, to represent this prestigious university in the world of collegiate sports.”

You can learn more about Castillo and his journey up to this point here: https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2023/11/8/mens-basketball-k-state-announces-the-signing-of-david-castillo.aspx.

TJ Williams -- Wichita Heights High School basketball -- Signed with Wichita State: Another one of the best players in Kansas is staying close to home to compete at the highest level of college basketball. TJ Williams will be going to college a few miles down the street from his high school, signed to play for the Shockers under Paul Mills, currently in his first season at WSU. Williams, a three-star prospect, discussed his decision to stay local over a slew of other offers. He said he feels like he has the entire city of Wichita behind him, moving forward.

“It’s real special for me,” Williams said. “...It’s going to be very great seeing my family there every game, not having to like travel across the world, miss work for two-three weeks to fly out with games stacking up out of town. Everything is just right down the street.”

Clay Shively -- Trinity Academy cross country and track -- Signed with Northern Arizona: One of the best high school distance runners in the nation and one of the best in Kansas history is taking his talents to Northern Arizona University where he’ll compete for the top-ranked Lumberjacks Clay Shively, the multiple-time state champ and owner of the fastest indoor mile in Kansas history expressed relief in solidifying his future plans.

“It’s a huge relief to be able to go all in for one team,” Shively said. “For a while you’re wondering where you’re going to end up, but once you sign and once you commit, you’re just able to be all in for that school. It feels good to have that.”

Vitor Geromel -- Maize South soccer -- Signed with Clemson: Fresh off leading Maize South to its second consecutive state soccer championship, Vitor Geromel, Kansas’ all-time leading goal scorer, signed his letter of intent to play for Clemson, a nationally-ranked program. Geromel said Wednesday’s signing “felt like the perfect ending” to a historic high school soccer career.

“Even though it’s not the end of my senior year, it just felt like the perfect ending of my high school career,” he said. “To be able to sign with all my teammates, my family, my coaches al here, it’s just an amazing feeling.”

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