Signing Day For Aliso Viejo Student Athlete Aidan Nettekoven

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA —A total of nine student athletes from Santa Margarita Catholic High School officially signed letters of intent or celebrated their commitment to attend colleges across the country for their sport.

With social distancing and online school happening across Orange County, Santa Margarita High School Athletics made the determination to celebrate the event online, via Twitter.

Three Rancho Santa Margarita students will play at the next level: Maddie Holt who will run track at the University of San Diego, Melanies Santos who will play softball at St. John's University, and Josh Robinson, who has committed to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University for baseball.

Aliso Viejo student, Aidan Nettekoven, will play water polo at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

Coto De Caza students Harrison Needell will swim and Zack Maline will continue tennis at the next level.
Mission Viejo swimmer Junie Carlos has made her commitment to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Lake Forest resident Justin Carago will run track at University of California Irvine.

San Clemente swimmer Michael Maurer will swim at Biola University.

"April 15 marks the first day that high school seniors could sign scholarship papers for all sports," school representative Sean Zeitler told Patch.

The letter of intent is a binding agreement between the student-athlete and a college, by which the student-athlete agrees to attend the college for one academic year.

Congratulations to the following student-athletes signed as part of the NCAA National Letter of Intent Signing Day:

Justin Caragao of Lake Forest

Justin Caragao of Lake Forest has signed with the University of California, Irvine for track and field. Justin has competed in track and field all four years of high school and football for three years. Justin competes in all the sprinting events including the 4x100 and the 4x400 relay. His freshman year, he earned freshman offensive player of the year for football and is the record holder for most receiving yards in a season. Justin also earned freshman sprinter of the year. His sophomore year he earned the Mr. Reliable award for track for his constant consistency on the oval. Last season, he earned a sprinter of the year award while earning Trinity League titles in the 400m and anchoring the winning 4x400m relay. He is a four-year varsity letterman and has been an active volunteer at the Second Harvest Food Bank and The Little Red Dog pet adoption center. Justin Caragao.

Maddie Holt of Rancho Santa Margarita

Maddie Holt of Rancho Santa Margarita has committed to the University of San Diego for cross country and track and field. Maddie was a three-year varsity athlete at Granada High School competing in swimming, basketball, and track. At Granada Maddie was a three-year basketball captain and was a mid-distance captain last year for track.

Melanie Santos of Rancho Santa Margarita

Melanie Santos of Rancho Santa Margarita has committed to St. John’s University for softball. Melanie is a four-year varsity starter and two-year varsity captain for the Eagles. Melanie was named defensive player of the year in 2017, Trinity League 2nd Team 2018, Trinity League 1st Team 2019, and Scholar-Athlete from 2017-2019. Melanie played a key part in the 2019 Trinity League Championship, along with CIF appearances in 2017, 2018 and 2019. While at St. John’s this fall, Melanie plans on studying Biomedical Science.

Zack Maline of Coto de Caza

Zack Maline of Coto de Caza has committed to Creighton University for tennis. Zack has earned many accolades in Tennis, including three-times All-Trinity League in singles, league finalist as a junior, was a part of three Trinity League Team Championships, had an undefeated record of 18-0 when his senior season was stopped; and reached a high ranking of #20 in the So Cal and #225 in the National Standings List. Zack’s volunteer work has focused on helping organizations that protect individuals with special needs. Those organizations include Red, White, and Blue Friends; Teen Project; Boys Town; Orangewood Foundation; while also working on a project that benefitted the Boy Scouts of America, all while maintaining a 4.1 GPA.

Michael Maurer of San Clemente

Michael Maurer of San Clemente has committed to Biola University for Swimming. Michael has been a four-year varsity swimmer for the Eagles and was voted by his teammates as a captain for his senior season. Michael is ranked as the 18th fastest swimmer in Santa Margarita history in the 500 freestyle and 10th all-time in the 100 yard butterfly. Michael earned his first CIF individual swims last year in the 500 freestyle and the 100 butterfly. An accomplished 200 butterflier in the club swimming world, Michael won the 2018 Trinity league individual title in the 100 butterfly as a sophomore and has participated on back-to-back Trinity League championship teams for the Eagles swim team. (3.8 GPA)

Junie Carlos of Mission Viejo

Junie Carlos of Mission Viejo has committed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for Swimming. Junie has been a four-year varsity swimmer for SMCHS and has achieved a double CIF swim in each of her first three years on the team. Junie has qualified for CIF Division in the 100 backstroke in each of her first three years, and added the 200 IM and 500 freestyle to her qualifications. Junie’s time in the 100 backstroke ranks 12th all-time in school history, her 200 IM ranks 30th all-time, and her 500 freestyle places her 16th in history of swimming at SM. Junie has been a member of 3 straight CIF Division 1 championships teams, 3 straight Trinity League title winners, and back-to-back California state champions. (3.8 GPA)

Josh Robinson of Rancho Santa Margarita

Josh Robinson of Rancho Santa Margarita has committed to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University for baseball. Josh is a four-year Eagle baseball player who served primarily as a left-handed pitcher. While this season was cut short, Josh led the program in innings pitched during the offseason. In addition, Josh pitched 35 innings his junior year, with a 3.7 ERA. Josh had a great Eagle career and was known for his consistent and diligent work ethic. Josh Robinson.

The following student-athletes celebrated either their Ivy League, Division 3, or walk-on school commitments. Ivy League and Division 3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships, therefore no letter of intent was signed.

Harrison Needell of Coto de Caza

Harrison Needell of Coto de Caza has committed to Trinity College (DIII) for Swimming. Harry has been a four-year member of the SM Eagles swim team and two years on the varsity. Harry was voted as one of the team captains this year and has already revolutionized the role of captain with his leadership at the University high school dual meet this season. Harry earned his first CIF consideration time last year in the 500 freestyle. His fastest time in the 500 freestyle ranks him 25th all-time in SM school history, and his 100 backstroke places him 31st in Eagle history. Harry has been a member of back-to-back Trinity League championship teams and was a member of the CIF Division 1 runner up team in 2019, while maintaining a 3.7 GPA.

Aidan Nettekoven of Aliso Viejo

Aidan Nettekoven of Aliso Viejo has committed to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps for water polo. Aidan has been a three-year varsity water polo player for SMCHS and made CIF appearances in 2017, 2018 and 2019. In the classroom, he maintains a 4.1 GPA and was a SMCHS Scholar Athlete from 2016-2019, made First Honor Roll all semesters in high school, and is a National Honor Society Member. Aidan plans to attend Harvey Mudd College where he will pursue an engineering degree.

Congratulations for your hard work and effort to your sport, and in the classroom.

If you would like to share your student-athlete's success in Orange County, email your information to Patch Orange County editor: ashley.ludwig@patch.com

This article originally appeared on the Aliso Viejo Patch