A group of student-athletes took center stage at the San Marino High gym on Dec. 21 as they were recognized for their college commitments during National Signing Day.
While the four San Marino student-athletes announced their commitment to further their athletic endeavors at the collegiate level at different times, on one afternoon, a jam-packed gym full of their peers applauded their high school journey and accomplishments.
The recognized group of seniors included Kiana Li, Ryder Yoshitake, Daniel Li and Mikey Yessaian.
Kiana Li is a member of the San Marino girls’ swimming team and plans to carry her accomplishments and accolades to Pitzer College in Claremont. The senior is a Rio Hondo League champion in the 100-yard breaststroke. She was also part of the relay team that competed in the 200-freestyle race at the CIF State.
The senior committed to Pitzer College because of the location and plans to major in chemistry. Among friends and coaches, she said she could feel nothing but pride in herself and her accomplishments.
“I’ve done this sport for so long and it actually got me somewhere more than just a sport — more than just an extracurricular outside of school,” she told the Tribune.
Pitzer College is a 23-time champion of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and competes in NCAA Division III.
Yoshitake, part of the San Marino boys’ wrestling team, will pursue his collegiate athletic career and education at Cornell University. The senior competes in the 144-pound weight class and is still undecided on what he will major in at the Ivy League school.
His decision to attend Cornell was based on its mix of academics and athletics. Cornell competes in NCAA Division I.
“I felt like it was the best place where I can pursue and further a career, but also try to become an NCAA champion,” he said.
Daniel Li competes on the San Marino boys’ swimming team and will head to Stanford University. The senior is a two-time CIF State champion and holds the CIF Southern Section Division II record in the 100-yard breaststroke.
The Stanford-commit acknowledged that the looming start to college became a bit more surreal during the ceremony.
“Once people started celebrating, it started to feel a little more special, too,” he said. “It feels good. All my hard work is finally getting some recognition.”
Daniel Li told the Tribune in October that he decided on Stanford based on the level of academic and athletic competition it provides. The university will compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Yessian plays for the San Marino football team and will attend the University of Chicago. Upon a summer visit to Chicago, Yessaian told the Tribune that it was the only campus that stood out to him. He said it was a place he could see himself going to, and, most importantly, the coaching staff was “very enthusiastic and optimistic” about the school and program.
Inspired by a UCLA course he took two summers ago, Yessaian said he will major in economics. The University of Chicago is part of the Midwest Conference and competes in NCAA Division III.
“I think the community really rallies around the kids here, and I think that’s what you saw there [at the ceremony],” said Yessaian of the ceremony. “It was pretty exciting. I looked forward to that. It’s something you dream of. It was just a great experience.”
First published in the Dec. 28 issue of the San Marino Tribune
