For 12 Lafayette athletes, the Feb. 1 Signing Day marked the next step in their athletic careers. The Image asked all 12 students what the day meant to them and what they are looking foward to at the next level.

Brock Behrndt – Northwest Missouri State – Football

“It means a lot, I get to take my athletic ability to the next level. It’s just gonna be fun to see what it has to offer.”

Danielle Biernacki – University of Sioux Falls – Soccer

“I’ve worked so hard for this, I’ve been playing soccer since I was in kindergarden and I’ve always dreamed of going on to play in college and now that it’s here it’s a big relief and accomplishment.”

Dominic Bisesi – William Jewell College – Football

“It’s really special to have my friends and family here watching me take my next step.”

Hope Chorzel – Sacred Heart University – Field Hockey

“Everything I worked for when I was younger has paid off. I feel good about signing because now everything that was unsure about my future is now sure.”

Colleen Cole – Saint Louis University – Soccer

“This is really exciting, I’m kind of nervous but it just makes the whole experience more real. I can’t wait.”

Ashton Lichvar – Bellarmine University – Field Hockey

“I’m really excited because I’ve been looking forward to playing for college since I was little. My dad and I had an ongoing bet that if I played, he’d get me a car so I’m really happy because this means I’ve succeeded.”

Megan Mange – Truman State University – Tennis

“I feel really good because I finally get to continue on with a sport I enjoy.”

Meredith McGee – University of Missouri Kansas City – Soccer

“Just all the hard work pays off in the end.”

Nick Messer – William Jewell College – Football

“Its something that I’ve always wanted to do, play college football. The fact that I get to go to a great D-II school to play football as linebacker, it’s a dream come true.”

Mackenzie Miller – Tennessee Tech University – Soccer

“It’s so important to me, I’ve always wanted to play soccer in college and this is a dream come true. I’ve always dreamed to play soccer and especially at a D-I school, that’s so important to me.”

Alec Morgan – Truman State University – Swimming

“Well, I haven’t been swimming forever so I started in high school and this is really special because I haven’t been able to reach my full potential, I feel. So to go to college and keep working at it is something I’m really looking forward to and I’m really hopeful about the future.”

Corrine Murphy – Saint Louis University – Field Hockey

“When I was in seventh grade, my mom told me to try field hockey and she said, ‘oh, it’s just like soccer except you can’t use your feet’ and I thought that was so stupid. And then I tried it and now I can’t believe I’m going to play it in college.”