Niwot seniors sign to play college sports

On Tuesday, May 24, eight Niwot High School seniors signed to continue their sports careers at various colleges across the country. The Courier talked with them to find out more about where they’re going and their journey to get there.

Walker Bounds

Walker Bounds will be playing basketball at Lake Forest College in the fall. Before signing with Lake Forest, Bounds was considering Millikin University, Carthage College and Elmhurst College. He was looking for a smaller school, and after connecting with the coaching staff and the other student athletes, Bounds decided to sign with Lake Forest.

He started playing basketball before he can remember and has found a lasting passion for the sport. Though Bounds has no family ties to the school, a previous coach of his is an alumnus of Lake Forest College. Bounds attributes some of his love of basketball to his coaches, Preston Hardy and Matthew Bounds, who also happens to be his father.

Ford Ladd

Ford Ladd will be playing baseball at New York University next year. Besides baseball, the New York University’s prestigious business school proved to be a significant factor in his college decision. When asked about his background in baseball, Ladd said, smiling, that he has simply always played and always loved it. Ladd was Niwot’s top pitcher the past two seasons, and also plays first base.

Though he has no previous ties to New York University, he is excited to be living in “the best city in the world.” Ladd thanked the Niwot High School head baseball coach, Craig McBride, for his influence and guidance.

Mark Ramirez-Tapia

Mark Ramirez-Tapia will be playing soccer at Johnson and Wales University in Denver next year. Before signing, he had previously been considering Adams State University and Northeastern University. According to Ramirez-Tapia, he decided to sign with Johnson and Wales University after meeting the university’s coach and the current members of the soccer team.

Ramirez-Tapia started playing soccer at 10 years old and has always dreamed of playing in college. Coaches David Brown and Steve Lepper, according to Ramirez-Tapia, have had a significant impact on his success. Looking to the future, Ramirez-Tapia is most looking forward to pursuing what he loves by studying business at the Johnson and Wales University’s School of Business, and practicing soccer every day.

Aaron Nicoll

Aaron Nicoll will be attending Cornell College in Iowa to play football this fall. Nicoll was also considering attending Nebraska Wesleyan, but ultimately decided on signing with Cornell College because he felt it was an overall better fit. Nicoll said when he visited Cornell College he was drawn to the “whole team philosophy” it had and enjoyed the family aspect of the school. The recruiters at Cornell College also helped Nicoll in making his choice as he felt a connection with them.

Nicoll started playing tackle football when he was in fourth grade; before that he was playing soccer but decided to switch because he “couldn’t hit people” in soccer. His first football coach, Jerome Berger, was influential in Nicoll’s life and football career. Nicoll is looking forward to continuing his career in football and “playing the sport I love.”

Ryan Kannegieter

Ryan Kannegieter will be playing basketball at Nebraska Wesleyan next year. Before signing with Wesleyan though, Kannegieter was also considering Willamette University in Oregon. He ultimately decided on Nebraska Wesleyan because of its location and proximity to Colorado, and the bigger city life it offers. He also has a couple friends who will be playing basketball at Nebraska Wesleyan, which contributed to his decision.

Kannegieter has been playing basketball with his dad since he was three years old, and knew he wanted to continue the sport. An influential coach in his career so far as been Matthew Bounds, who has been both his varsity assistant and sub-varsity head coach during Kannegieter’s time at Niwot. Kennegieter is looking forward to the new freedom he will have when he goes to college, and “more competition basketball wise.”

Max Petrak

Max Petrak will be heading to Montana State University in the fall to play tennis. Petrak was also considering attending Northern Arizona University and the University of California-Riverside before signing with Montana State. He said the tennis coaches at Montana State were really welcoming and relatable, which helped Petrak in making his decision. Petrak also liked the town of Bozeman where the university is located and liked its laid back vibe.

Petrak plans on studying engineering and was drawn to the program Montana State offers. He will be attending the school with another friend who will also play on the tennis team, and the two plan to be roommates. Petrak has been playing tennis for nearly a decade and started playing competitively seven years ago. He recently moved up to the national level two years ago. In Petrak’s latest year of playing tennis, he said his coach Nick Baker has worked a lot with him and is always there when Petrak needs him. Petrak is looking forward to all the new experiences he will have in Montana, especially the fishing and camping.

Zach Morgan

Zach Morgan signed to play baseball at Monmouth College in Illinois next season. Morgan considered several other schools, but connected well with the coaching staff and players at Monmouth during his visit.

He is not certain where he will play, but will likely spend time in the outfield as well as on the mound when practice begins.

Editor’s note: Meghan Waidler signed to play softball next year at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. The Courier published an article on Waidler in the April 27 edition.