'Stangs scored a 10 on signing finale

By Neil H. Devlin, Mullen Sports Information Director
Mullen seniors total 10 to wrap up signees for 2020-21.
 
It was the final signing day of the most-unusual school year most anyone can remember, so Mullen took it to the 10th power.

The Mustangs had 10 student-athletes celebrate their next steps in a ceremony on Wednesday at Hutchison Fieldhouse.

A wide range of Mustangs secured their moves after graduation.

Robert Mac Caldwell signed for tennis with Chapman University in Orange, Calif.

A three-year regional champion, Caldwell was a Full Send Invitational Champion and a Class 4A semifinalist as a junior and senior at No. 1 singles. The past season, he was team captain as well as all-state.

He was on the honor roll four years; National Honor Society; and a Chapman U. Dean’s Scholar. With a 3.96 grade-point average, Caldwell plans to major in business.

“It was a long process,’ Caldwell said, “a lot of talking with coaches, emailing and visiting some schools. It was hard to choose. But I thought the best school for myself with the best size was Chapman. I’m really happy, super pumped about it.”

Maximilian Alexander Crosbie signed to play baseball for the Hastings Broncos in Nebraska.

Regarded as the Mustangs’ most-improved player, Crosbie also was a member of the school’s Drumline and served as a KAIROS Senior Leader for junior retreats.

Crosbie has a 3.6 GPA and will major in business.

Vivian Eleanor Higgins will cheer for the Kent State Golden Flashes in Ohio.

She received the Captain Award, was Most-Spirited for three years and a four-year letter winner. All-Academic; NHS; Social Studies NHS; and French NHS.

She will major in fashion design.

Alexandra Hance Krieger will cheer at the University of Colorado.

Three-year letter winner; Best Attitude Award; Cheerleader of the Year; Captain’s Award; two-time all-Academic; all-state; Torch Award.

Krieger has a 3.8 GPA and will major in Ecology.

Cullen Ray Martinez signed for football at Hastings.

A three-sporter, he also lettered four times in football and once in wrestling.

A two-time Torch Award winner; NHS; subject award in Morality; Unified Basketball; Mock Trial; and a KAIROS Senior Leader.

Martinez scored highly on the AP Government Exam, earned an art scholarship and will major in psychology and minor in art.

Elaina Ava Martinez signed for basketball at Briar Cliff in Sioux City, Iowa.

As a four-year letter winner, she played in a whopping 96 games and helped the Mustangs to three 4A titles. She can play the point or No. 2 guard positions and was called a team played by head coach Frank Cawley.

Also earning three letters in sports medicine, Martinez has a 3.5 GPA and will study nursing.

“It’s very hard to think it’s almost over,” Martinez said. “I came into freshman year and was told it goes by fast. Winning three state championships was great.”

Avery Michelle Panozzo signed for softball with the Ohio Weslyan Battling Bishops.

A gritty catcher and four-year letter winner, she was all-Centennial league multiple times as well as all-Academic; and honorable mention all-state.

NHS; Spanish NHS; three English awards; multiple Torch Award winner; baseball manager; and KAIROS Senior Leader.

Panozzo has a 4.25 GPA and will major in biology.

Jacob Kyle Robbins will wrestle for the Western Colorado Mountaineers in Gunnison.

He’s a four-time letter winner; one letter in football; Academic All-State.

He has a 2.5 GPA and will major in history.

Christopher Earl Smith signed to play football at Hastings.

Known as C.J., he was the Mustangs’ top threat on offense; lettered in football four times; lettered three times in track; first team all-league in football and team captain. He also won an English Award.

His major at Hastings will be finance.

Brisen Owen Thomas signed for football with the Arizona Christian Firestorm in Glendale.

The defensive back has two letters from football and competes in lacrosse. He earned subject awards in Computer Science, and Strength and Conditioning.

Thomas has a 2.52 GPA and will major in business management.
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