Class of 2010

This year, Saratoga High sends eleven students to NCAA sports. From L to R in the photo are Eric Gast, Nicole Gragnola, John Lamble, Michael McGinnis, Elizabeth Murray, Megan Nolet, Lauren Opatrny, Mika Padmanabhan, Alysia Patel, Anna Schroeder, and Alan Yen.

Additionally, Ally Doles and Alexa Francis will continue their cheerleading careers at LMU and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and Samantha Li will play soccer for Santa Monica College.

Nicole Gragnola, Volleyball, Sonoma State, California

A multi-sport athlete, Nicole has played all four years as part of the volleyball, basketball and softball teams. This year, she was named as a 1^st Team All-Mercury News volleyball player (464 kills & 503 digs) and also Honorable Mention All-Mercury News basketball player (18.0 points/game). She also was named First Team All-League in those sports along with softball (.400 batting average) and was named MVP for all three teams. Several Division I, II and III schools recruited her but she found that the opportunity at Sonoma may allow her to continue as an outside hitter. Sonoma also wanted her to play basketball but Nicole decided to concentrate on her favorite sport-volleyball. Nicole was also able to maintain a GPA of 3.95 and will study business in college.

John Lamble, Tennis, Santa Clara University

John has been a top 15 in the nation tennis recruit for the last four years on tennisrecruiting.net. He has led the Boy’s tennis team to the CCS finals twice playing #1 singles his sophomore and senior years. John really enjoyed the atmosphere at Santa Clara when he went on his visit, and how everyone tried to help him out. SCU’s tennis team is also on the way up; they reached a ranking of 43 last season, the highest in school history and reached the finals of the WCC tournament for the first time since 2001. Both of John’s parents went to Santa Clara , and his dad played on the tennis team. John thinks it’s great to have the opportunity to play on the same team as his dad.

Michael McGinnis, Tennis, Boston College

Although Michael was recruited to many colleges for tennis, he really liked Boston College. He went for a visit in January, and felt a connection with the university, the team and the coach. Michael wanted to be part of a D-1 team where he could be an impact player in a highly competitive tennis environment. BC enables students to balance academics and athletics and has a great tradition in a college oriented metro (Boston) where 20 top notch universities reside.

Elizabeth Murray, Swimming, Loyola Marymount University
Elizabeth learned to swim and began swimming competitively at Brookside swim club when she was 5 years old. She loved being in the water right from the beginning. Her athletic ability and feisty attitude provided her with competitive drive and desire to win. During her elementary years she participated in many other sports; gymnastics, tae kwan do, soccer, horseback riding and vaulting, but always found herself back in the pool. By the time she was 12, she had chosen to pursue swimming full time. Through high school Elizabeth has trained over 20 hours each week with Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics. Swimming has offered her the skills to continue as a Division I athlete, but also has helped her develop skills for an organized and disciplined lifestyle outside the pool.

Megan Nolet, Swimming, Brown University

Early in the school year, swimmer Megan Nolet was invited on recruiting trips to visit several college campuses. She was impressed with Brown and spent most of the time with the swim team while visiting the school. Megan competes in all the freestyle events; she is also bringing back some of her breaststroke events. She attended Nationals in Washington in November and Sectionals last month in Long Beach. While not a hundred percent sure what her college major is going to be, Megan is leaning more towards the sciences. Megan is very excited about attending Brown, and so are her parents, Jay and Kathy.

Lauren Opatrny, Swimming, Georgetown University

After being recruited by several Ivy League, east coast and west coast programs, Lauren Opatrny has decided to attend Georgetown University in the fall. She was recruited by Georgetown University as their top women's swimmer for the class of 2014. Lauren is very excited to be part of the Georgetown team where she plans to train hard and better her times. After her recruiting trip there, which included hanging out with the swim team, attending classes and getting a taste of campus life, she knew it was the school for her. The superior academic programs will provide the undergraduate foundation that Lauren is looking for which includes studying health sciences. Although moving far away from home is a bit scary, she is looking forward to the college experience, the excitement of DC, and she believes SHS has prepared her well for this phase of her life.

Mika Padmanabhan, Tennis, Emory University

Captain of the Saratoga Falcons tennis team, Mika accepted an admission offer from Emory University in Atlanta. Mika visited the school at the college coach's invitation in the fall of 2009 and really liked it. Given the reputation as a top D III tennis school known for its program in biological sciences, Mika was most impressed by Emory's well-balanced emphasis in academics and sports. Mika is looking forward to a fun-filled four years of college tennis and a rewarding academic experience.

Alysia Patel, Volleyball, Case Western Reserve University

Since 4th grade, Alysia has played competitive volleyball and has been SHS's starting varsity setter for two years. A black-belt recipient and Athlete of the Year in her Middle School, Alysia has a strong desire to play volleyball in college. After over a dozen college visits/coach interviews at the end of her sophomore year, Alysia became most impressed with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). She is anxious to be part of CWRU's high standing varsity DIII volleyball program while being able to balance her college experiences between high quality academics, sports, community service and rewarding urban opportunities. Alysia has her heart set to pursue a double major in Psychology and Education.

Anna Schroeder, Field Hockey, Vassar College

The first SHS field hockey athlete to ever be selected twice in a row for All-CCS and All-Mercury News First Team Awards, Anna Schroeder has decided to be part of the Vassar College field hockey team. Among the various colleges that approached Anna, Vassar fits her college profile best by providing a blend of strong science and economics programs in a smaller college atmosphere. Anna also prefers the balance of academics, social activities, and athletics that a Division III school allows. Anna is considering majoring in Environmental Studies. Aside from field hockey, Anna also plays basketball point guard and is a captain to the SHS Varsity team.

Alan Yen, Wrestling, Stanford University

After completing his college applications early September, Alan took official visits to Princeton, University of Pennsylvania, and Stanford. He enjoyed Penn the most, but eventually chose Stanford because of its superior academics, coaches, and prime location. Alan will wrestle 197 pounds in college, after competing at 189 for four years at Saratoga High School. He is still training, and wants to make an immediate impact as soon as he reaches college. He will be studying Human Biology. Alan is very excited to go to Stanford, as are Henry and Lisa, his parents.

Allyson Doles, Cheerleading, Loyola Marymount University

Ally's interest in cheerleading began in the 5th grade while watching the Pop Warner cheer teams where her brother played football. She missed registration, so she sat watching the cheerleaders every day until the coach invited her to join. Her passion for cheerleading blossomed in high school becoming co-captain Sophomore year then Varsity captain the following year. She loves the team environment of cheer and flourished in team and stunt group competitions on the mats while developing her tumbling expertise year around. She has been voted a USA and UCA All American Cheerleader four years running. She actively has coached younger Pop Warner teams in giving back to her sport and currently helping coach at Prospect High School. Ally will continue her passion for cheer as an NCAA athlete at LMU next Fall cheering the Lions and meeting new cheer enthusiasts!

Alexa Francis, Cheerleading, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Alexa Francis has a passion for cheerleading. She loves to tumble and dance. Her elementary teachers will tell you that she was always upside down in a handstand or dancing to her own music. Alexa has been a competitive cheerleader since she was 7 years old. She started cheering with Pop Warner, continued year-round with Legacy, and then 4 years on the Saratoga High Cheer Team. Alexa will be going to Cal Poly in the fall to study Computer Science. She is very excited to be continuing her cheerleading at Cal Poly. As a Cal Poly Mustang, she will cheer for football, basketball, soccer, and volleyball, as well as be a member of the competitive cheer squad.

Sam Li, Soccer, Santa Monica College

Sam has been playing soccer since the age of five. Having being on the varsity soccer team for four years and varsity field hockey for three, and after numerous All-League and CCS Awards, she knew she wanted to continue her athletic career in college. All along too is the desire to begin her college experience in SoCal; “it’s hard to leave the California sun,” Sam says. After examining Santa Monica College’s transfer rate, Sam contacted its soccer coach and visited the campus and the team. The opportunity to play soccer along with the school’s proximity to beaches quickly sealed the deal for Sam--she knew she had found the right place.