San Marcos celebrated 10 student-athletes who put pen to paper to play their sports at the collegiate level on Wednesday inside the Thunderhut.
Four girls soccer standouts headline the 10-person spring signing class, which comes after San Marcos had a fall signing day that featured nine more athletes playing at the next level.
Ben Callanan – Cal State San Marcos Cross Country/Track & Field
Callanan will be heading from one San Marcos to another as he will continue his academic and cross country/track careers at Cal State San Marcos, a Div. 2 program, in the San Diego area.
“I really thought the team atmosphere was great,” Callanan said. “The coach was very friendly, the team was very friendly, and it felt like somewhere where I’ll really be accepted and grow, not only as a person, but as an athlete and as a student for the next four years.”
He has been a key part in the Royals’ cross country and long-distance track & field success throughout his time in high school.
Wendy Guarneros Barraza – Willamette Soccer
Guarneros Barraza will take her talents up to the Pacific Northwest for her college years, as she will lace them up for the Div. 3 Willamette Bearcats.
“What really drew me into Willamette University was that their community is such a beautiful community and they all really care for one another, not just in sports, but also academics,” Guarneros Barraza said.
“I’ve always dreamed of this, and finally, it’s here, so I’m excited for what the next four years have to come for me.”
She anchored the San Marcos defense during her years on varsity, helping lead her team to a CIF-SS playoff win in the 2024-25 season. She was named to the All-Channel League First Team in her senior season.
Lucy Haaland-Ford – Stanford Water Polo
Haaland-Ford, who officially signed in the fall, will head north to further her academic and water polo journey at Stanford, a highly-touted Div. 1 program.
“It’s been years that I’ve been working at this, so it’s really exciting,” Haaland-Ford said. “Honestly, I’ve been wanting to go to Stanford since I was 10 years old, like, the first time I played there, it was just a dream.
“The academics there were so amazing… you have to do something really great and amazing to be able to go to that school and I just wanted to be surrounded by all those people.”
She has been a dominant force in the pool for the Royals, making an impact both offensively and defensively to lead the team to several Channel League titles.
Kenzie Hessell – University of St. Andrews Soccer
Hessell is heading abroad for her college years, as she will be playing soccer and furthering her studies at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
“I’m really excited. I’ve always been traveling since I was young, and it’s an amazing school with an amazing program, so I’m just really excited to be able to continue my development there,” Hessell said.
She primarily played on the defensive end for the Royals, and played a key role in the team clinching a CIF-SS playoff berth this past season.
Maddie Kelly – Lewis & Clark Lacrosse
Kelly will make her way up to Portland, Oregon for her college years, where she will be furthering her academic career and playing Div. 3 lacrosse at Lewis & Clark.
Kelly is a senior attacker on the San Marcos squad that has enjoyed a stellar 2025 campaign so far.
Molly McCarter – Whitworth Lacrosse
McCarter will also be spending her college career in the Pacific Northwest, playing Div. 3 lacrosse at Whitworth in Washington.
“I’m really excited to be committed to somewhere where I know I’m gonna feel like I’m at home,” McCarter said. “The second I stepped on campus, I just knew it was the place for me, and so I’m just really excited to go somewhere where I know it’s going to work.”
She has played a crucial role in the midfield for the Royals, making an impact on both ends of the field to help lead the team to back-to-back Channel League titles.
Nicolly Oh – Lander University Soccer
Oh is heading across the country to continue her academic and athletic journey at Lander University in South Carolina, a Div. 2 program.
She was one of the top goal scorers for the Royals during her senior season and will look to bring that production to the Bearcats.
“I’m thrilled to go play soccer,” Oh said. “I’ve worked for it since I was five and it’s really exciting getting to see my other teammates sign too.
“I’ve grown up playing with them from a young age, and I loved to see the development throughout the years of high school and club. So I’m really proud of them and I’m really proud of us for getting here.”
Seamus Russell – Columbia College Lacrosse
Russell will be heading to the Midwest to go to school and play NAIA men’s lacrosse at Columbia College in Missouri.
“I think the biggest thing that drew me into the Midwest was definitely just a change in culture,” Russell said. “The people out there, all my teammates, everyone that I met was very kind and very loving and just a different culture… and I’m excited to get out of here and experience that.”
He made his mark on the defensive side of the field as a Royal and will look to continue his success as a Cougar.
Himmat Singh – Redlands Golf
Singh will remain in California and continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Redlands, where he will play Div. 3 golf.
He has been a standout for the Royals throughout his senior season and will represent his team in the CIF-SS Northern Individual Regionals in May.
Hattie Valdez Lindgren – Lewis & Clark Soccer
Valdez Lindren rounds out the San Marcos signees as another Pacific Northwest-bound athlete, as she will be playing Div. 3 soccer at Lewis & Clark College in Portland.
“The campus is just gorgeous, and when I went and visited, everyone there was so nice, and it’s such a community,” Valdez Lindgren said. “I got to meet the coach and the team and I immediately clicked with them, and it was like this is where I’m supposed to be.”
She was all over the pitch during her time as a Royal, settling in the midfield for her strong senior season.