Four Lake Catholic Cougars Sign Letters of Intent

Four students, four sports, four colleges and four pens, but just one high school – Lake Catholic.

Four Lake Catholic athletes signed letters of intent to play at Division I colleges Thursday.

Bridget Grdina will play volleyball for Kent State University; Chase Hounshell, football for University of Notre Dame; Colette Hounshell, basketball at St. Francis College in New York; and JeRica Sanders will run track and field at the University of Cincinnati.

"Lake Catholic has never had four Division I, full-scholarship athletes in a single class, so this is a red-letter day for us," Athletic Director Sam Colacarro said.

"We're proud of the four kids and their families," President Sal Miroglotta said. "The best part is they're really good kids. They've been good for the school – not just academically but in every other way."

Their coaches, parents and fellow students applauded as the four signed their letters of intent in the school's atrium. Originally, they were scheduled to sign Wednesday but a snow day forced them to postpone.

"She worked hard for this for four years," Jessica Sanders said of her daughter. "It's been a job."

JeRica won the 100-meter hurdles at the Division II state championships for two consecutive years. She said she was excited to sign but would not have much chance to celebrate. She, like Grdina and Colette Hounshell, had practice Thursday afternoon.

Grdina, as outside hitter, led the Cougars to a state championship in 2010. The Plain Dealer named her its volleyball player of the year.

"I'm excited," Grdina said of playing at Kent. "I know it will be a lot of hard work, but it's an amazing feeling."

Colette and Chase Hounshell are twins. Their older brother is also a Division I athlete. He plays offensive line at the University of Central Florida.

Their mother, Cherry Hounshell, said her children put a lot of work into their respective sports. They attended combines, weekend camps, competed in tournaments and worked out with professionals. They also visited a lot of colleges.

"I think we visited 30 colleges in the last three years," Hounshell said.

But now the hard work has paid off. Colette, as a forward, has averaged more than 11 points, seven rebounds and three steals per game this season. Chase was a sought after prospect as both an offensive and defensive lineman.

Chase had verbally committed to the University of Florida but made the difficult decision to opt out when Coach Urban Meyer retired.

Chase's father, Chuck Hounshell, said Notre Dame showed a persistent interest in his son and that made the difference.

"To end it up with Chase going to Notre Dame, that's a personal dream come true," he said.