On May 20, 2025, senior Utica Chieftains Logan Simunic, Michael Hoppe, Caston Rissman, Sophia Aquino, Eddie Tate, Xavier Crosby, Matthew Engelhardt, and Noelle Preast signed their letters of intent during the Signing-Day ceremony.
It was a big day, as the letter of intent carries a heavy weight, being a legally binding agreement between a student-athlete and a college or university. By signing, the student-athlete commits to attending that institution for at least one academic year while participating in the sport.
Of these students making the big decision, Simunic plans on continuing his baseball career as a Cougar at Clearly University, a private institution in Michigan, to study business. He has achieved three home runs, over 30 hits, and a winning season record on the junior varsity team his sophomore year. His senior year, he achieved over 20 hits along with having his best pitching year playing on the varsity team.
“I’ve been playing baseball since I was five years old, making lots of memories and friends. This sport is very mental, and nothing is going to always go your way,” Simunic said. “I decided I wanted to study business because my uncle has owned and managed top businesses. He inspired me to go into it.”
Aquino signed, having achieved the times of 2:27.79 in the 800-meters, 5:26.14 in the 1600-meters, 12:54.53 in the 3200-meters, and a 19:36.1 in the 5k. She plans on continuing her cross country and track career as a Titian at Detroit Mercy, a private institution in Michigan, to study nursing.
“I’ve been running since 9th grade. The running community is such a beautiful thing, and I love being with other runners, putting in the hard work together, and celebrating them; whether a race was good or bad,” Aquino said. “Going into a medical occupation has always been a dream of mine since I was very young. Many people steer away from nursing because of the difficulty and time, but because of those things, comes the massive reward of making a difference in people’s lives. I wouldn’t want to do anything less than that.”
Crosby signed, having scored a 50-yard touchdown his senior year, to continue his football career as a Comet at Olivet University, a private institution in Michigan, to study psychology.
“I started playing football when I was ten because I love it, and it gives me a chance to be competitive and show my talents to other people,” Crosby said. “I am studying sports psychology in college so I can become a better athlete and become a coach or personal trainer.”
Engelhardt signed, achieving two-time 1st team All-County, 2nd team All-County, All-State Team, All-Star team showcase, and 1st team All-Region. He plans on continuing his lacrosse career as a Cardinal at Otterbein University, a private institution in Ohio, to study athletic training.
“I’ve been playing lacrosse since I was eight because I enjoy how fast pace and fun it is. It gives me a good opportunity to put many different sports all together, such as hockey and soccer,” Engelhardt said. “I’m studying athletic training, as it is a mix of both the medical field and sports, both subjects I love.”
Morehouse signed on January 29, 2025, due schedule conflicts, achieving three-time All-County, three-time State Qualifier, three-time All-State, and two-time All-Conference in cross country. In track, his 4×800 meters team was Conference Champions, County Champions, Regional Champions, and State Qualifiers.
Morehouse was also nominated to receive the Utica Athletic Booster Scholarships and chosen by UHS Coaches as Class of 2025 Senior Athlete for inspiring teammates and classmates alike, showing up prepared, passionate, and driven. He plans on continuing his cross country and track career as a Cougar at Spring Arbor University, a private institution in Michigan, to study computer and information sciences.
“I’ve done cross country since sophomore year, and track since I was a freshman. I didn’t do cross country freshman year because I was like ‘Who likes running that much?’ Now, I really enjoy both because the stress we are put under to perform well helps our relationship, is an unbreakable bond,” Morehouse said. “I’m studying computer and information sciences because that is what my dad studied in high school, and he recommended it. I really enjoyed the material and would like to get a further understanding of computer science and do something for my job that involves computer science.”
Other Utica student-athletes signing in May were: Rissman, who plans on continuing his basketball career as a Winged Warrior at Rochester Christian University, a private institution in Michigan, to study business. Tate, who plans on continuing his football career as a Student Prince at Heidelberg University, a private institution in Ohio, to study education. Preast, who plans on continuing her soccer career as a Winged Warrior at Rochester Christian University, a private institution in Michigan, to study nursing, and Hoppe is undecided on where he will be continuing his baseball career but will be studying business.
These Utica athletes have made the biggest decision in their life, deciding where their career in athletics will take them, and no matter how big this decision may be, where they may go, and how they may change to become a Cougar, Titian, Comet, Cardinal, Winged Warrior, or a Student Prince they will always be a Utica Chieftain. They will always be a part of the Tribe.
