Inking Their Commiments

It’s not common for a high school to send 39 student-athletes to the collegiate ranks. Of the 264 Oaks Christian seniors this year, 15 percent of them are continuing their career at the collegiate level.   

It’s so unusual that within 24 hours, a walk-through video of the OCS celebration of 39 students heading to 33 schools across the country went viral with 500,000 views, over 7,000 likes and more than 150 comments.  

“To have as many student-athletes recognized at this point in the school year is definitely not common,” said Oaks Christian School Head of Athletics Dr. Brad Cook. “This achievement is a testament to our overall community and the athletic coaches and the sacrifices families make to help students achieve their dreams.” 

The Lions will head to 33 colleges and universities across the country. Institutions range from prominent NCAA Div. I program such as University of Southern California, the University of Oregon, and Oklahoma State University to the Ivy League’s Princeton, Brown, and Cornell. Two Lions will begin their collegiate career at military academies.  

“Our student-athletes are distinct not only because they are talented. Everyone who plays in college is talented,” said Oaks Christian High School Principal Erick Streelman. “They are distinct because of the way they play, the level of sacrifice it takes to thrive here, and the expectation of representing Christ on and off the field as a member of the OCS community. 

Football has seven athletes signing, including two athletes heading to military academies. The Lions baseball program is sending six players into the collegiate ranks. Both girls’ soccer and girls’ water polo are sending five athletes onto college rosters. Girls’ volleyball, track & field, boys’ golf, softball and boys’ water polo rounded out the group of 39.  

“We talk about athletic distinction, and this event is evidence that we’re pursuing that part of our mission,” Cook said. “My prayer for each of these athletes is that they will continue to be distinct at the next level. I pray that they will ultimately make an impact for Jesus.”