42 APRIL 2024 By Mallory Gleich rcadia High’s latest Signing Day event took place on February 6, when athletes committed to playing at colleges around the country. Among those students were four baseball players ready to take their athletic careers to the next level. !"#$%&'()"*$+ Jack started his baseball career at five years old – playing t-ball – but he’s loved the game since he was able to hold a ball in his hand. “I started ‘playing’ when I was four, thanks to my dad. He’s the main reason I got into it and the inspiration behind why I still play today,” Jack said. Jack currently plays shortstop and as a relief pitcher, but he was also a catcher in his tween years. As his final season as a Titan starts, Jack said he’s most looking forward to having fun with teammates and winning a State Championship. “I’m excited to play every school; we have our rivals, of course, but I treat every game the same, and I’m excited for them all,” Jack said. “I’ve got some personal goals that I’m working on, but my main goal is to lead my team to State.” His favorite memory of his AHS baseball career is the bus rides to and from games. In Jack’s words, “those are always the best, and I look forward to them every game.” After graduation, he will attend Biola University in California and is excited to play Division II baseball while majoring in business. “I’m really looking forward to making new friends and lots of new memories in a new state. I’m also super excited to play at the next level!” Jack said. ,"--+%."))/* Like his teammate Jack, Danny was inspired by his father to start playing the game. He started when he was four – 13 years ago – and is excited to continue after graduation. “I’m currently a pitcher,” Danny said. “I used to play third base and catcher, but keeping my arm healthy for pitching is the main priority.” He and the team are in agreement that a run at the State Championship is the ultimate goal for this season – but Danny is ready to play against one school in particular: “We’ve built up a pretty fun rivalry with Saguaro High and always have competitive games,” he said. “Winning the State Championship is a given, but building the culture of Arcadia baseball for the future guys is another big goal for me.” Danny’s favorite memories from his time at AHS are the senior dinner before the season and the Red vs. Blue World Series Game during his junior year when teammates competed against each other. After graduation, Danny will head to Mesa Community College to major in Exercise Science. “Coach Tony Cirelli really stood out to me and showed real interest in me as a player and as a person, so I’m excited to play at MCC,” he said. “Playing every day is a gift no matter what level – little league, college, or professional – I’m just happy to have the privilege.” 0")&-%,)1/1) Garon is following in his father’s footsteps – albeit at a different school – but the goal is still the same: “My dad inspired me to join the sport,” Garon said. “He played baseball in high school and then at Stanford. I always wanted to be like my dad, so my dream became to play in college.” It’s been 13 years since he picked up a ball, and he hasn’t stopped playing since. Garon was a third baseman for a while but was more comfortable at first, so he transitioned while growing as a pitcher for the Titans. “In my final season, I am looking forward to making it to State with some of the best friends I’ve grown up with,” he said. Before that game, though, he’s excited to play Chaparral and Saguaro. “We know a lot of the players at those two schools, so I think we’re all excited to play against them,” Garon said. His favorite memory from playing baseball at Arcadia was in the Boras Classic – a tournament that Arcadia hosts yearly, bringing baseball programs from the West Coast, like Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico for a competition. “I have always had fun playing in this tournament because I get to hang out with the team all day over our break and play some competitive baseball teams,” Garon said. After graduation, he’s headed to California State to major in business. “I want to play Division I baseball at CSUN because it’s close to home, and they are building a program full of great players,” Garon said. “I have a lot of respect for the coaches and culture they are creating and I look forward to being part of that.” ."0"-%2"3(1)4 Hagan has been playing baseball for 14 years, thanks to a mutual love for the sport between him and his father. He used to pitch and play shortstop, but these days you’ll find Hagan at first and third bases. “I’m most looking forward to spending time with the team and enjoying my last season with them,” Hagan said. “And playing Chaparral and Saguaro!” Hagan will attend Santa Barbara City College to major in business. “I chose Santa Barbara because it has a super baseball program – and it’s right on the beach!” Hagan said. He said he’s excited for the new challenges ahead and getting to meet new people in college. AHS senior athletes commit to southwest colleges JACK O’BRASKY BIOLA UNIVERSITY SHORTSTOP DANNY HARRIS MESA CC PITCHER GARON DREIER CALIFORNIA STATE PITCHER HAGAN LAMBERT SANTA BARBARA CC FIRST BASE PHOTOS: THEON CARRIER J M Chapman Agency Inc Jay Chapman, Agent Bus: (480) 945-7122 7055 E Thomas Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251 jchapman@amfam.com American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & its Operating Companies, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2015 006441 – Rev. 2/20 – 12923221 CALL (480) 945-7122 FOR A NO-OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE. INSURANCE DESIGNED WITH YOU AND YOUR DREAMS IN MIND. J M Chapman Agency Inc Jay Chapman, Agent Bus: (480) 945-7122 7055 E Thomas Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251 jchapman@amfam.com mily Mutual Insurance Company, rating Companies, an Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 441 – Rev. 2/20 – 12923221 (480) 945-7122 FOR A BLIGATION FREE QUOTE. RANCE DESIGNED WITH AND YOUR DREAMS IN D. J M Chapman Agency Inc Jay Chapman, Agent Bus: (480) 945-7122 7055 E Thomas Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251 jchapman@amfam.com American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & its Operating Companies, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2015 006441 – Rev. 2/20 – 12923221 CALL (480) 945-7122 FOR A NO-OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE. INSURANCE DESIGNED WITH YOU AND YOUR DREAMS IN MIND. INSURANCE DESIGNED WITH YOU AND YOUR DREAMS IN MIND. CALL (480) 990-8855 FOR A NO-OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE.

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