EPHRATA — Eight Tiger student athletes signed their letters of intent to play at the college level next year, on Friday.  

“It's a great tribute to all their hard work and dedication they've had over the years,” Athletic Director Bryan Johnson said. “It's just cool to see them go to the next level and continue to play sports... very small percentage get to (go), we got eight seniors up here today, and we probably had 175 seniors do sports, so not very many get to go.” 

Alex Belino, Alexa Bastida, Hunter Mills, Caleb Moberg, Delanie Killinger, Stella Bayley, Lila Rainey and Michael Park made their commitments official. During each of their signings, athletes were asked a question related to their journey.  

For Bastida, who will be attending Whitworth University for cheer, her time spent at Ephrata High School has prepared her to take this next step into college, she said.  

“It has taught me that overcoming obstacles and doing my best would help me succeed,” she said.  

Mills, who will also attend Whitworth but for track and field, opted to share some advice with younger athletes in the Tigers program.  

“Your sport doesn't end after practice, you have to do all the extra stuff, like getting sleep, working out, hitting the gym and eating right. Just do everything possible to put the odds in your favor,” Mills said.  

Moberg signed to play football for Pacific Lutheran University after multiple years of dedication to the Tigers program. When deciding what school was the right fit, PLU checked the right boxes for him. 

“It was the best school for me because it offered both a good winning football program and a major in criminal justice, which is the career that I want to go into. Then once I took my official visit and got to meet the team, the players and coaches, it immediately felt like home, and I knew this is where I would want to spend the next four years of my academic and athletic career,” Moberg said.  

Killinger and Bayley are attending Spokane Falls Community College for women’s soccer. While Bayley said she is excited to compete, meet new people and gain valuable lessons from college coaches, Killinger shouted out her support system.  

“The people (who have) had the biggest impact on my athletic journey would be my mom, for always pushing me and pressuring me, because it's always been good pressure, and my friends and my family that just continue to influence my behavior... they're my biggest motivators,” Killinger said.  

A common thread through each athlete’s answer was the valuable lessons they learn through sport as a Tiger. Many of these lessons, they said, they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.  

“Sports are great,” Johnson said. “They teach what it takes to be successful. Hard work, teamwork, (they) also teach you how to respond to failure, struggles, adversity and how to perform under pressure. When you get out to the real world, all those skills come into play, and so I think that's really cool for them, and hopefully they had some great memories at Ephrata High School.” 

SIGNEES 

Name, School, Sport 

Alex Belino, Whitworth University, Track and Field 

Alexa Bastida, Whitworth University, Cheer and Stunt 

Hunter Mills, Whitworth University, Track and Field 

Caleb Moberg, Pacific Lutheran University, Football 

Delanie Killinger, Spokane Falls Community College, Women’s soccer 

Stella Bayley, Spokane Falls Community College, Women's soccer 

Lila Rainey, Peninsula College, Women's soccer 

Michael Park, Washington State University, Cheer and Stunt 

    Alex Belino, middle, sits with his family before signing his letter of intent to join Whitworth University’s track and field team.
  

    Michael Park, middle, answers a question during his college signing at Ephrata High School on Friday.
  

    The Tigers’ Delanie Killinger, left, signs her letter of intent to play women's soccer at Spokane Falls Community College.
  

    Alexa Bastida, middle, speaks to the audience during her signing day at Ephrata High School.
  

    Hunter Mills, in white, answers a question at his signing day.