Senior Alison Cerny isn’t stressing about writing her college applications right now or having one last chance at getting a better ACT score. She already knows that she will be attending Washington University in St. Louis next fall. She is one of several students who have committed early to a college for athletics.

“Wash. U. exceeded all my desires athletically and academically, and I fell in love with the campus,” Cerny said.

While student athletes chose their colleges with the athletics in mind, they value academics. Ian Bunting, senior football player, committed to University of Michigan. “It felt like home and it has a great combination of academics and athletics,” Bunting said.

He committed at the end of last school year, while Cerny decided just before school started this year. “As a junior, I had no idea what I wanted,” Cerny said.

Her soccer teammate Lily Chetosky, senior, was the opposite when she chose Valparaiso, “I had been talking to a couple other schools and Valpo.  I visited Valpo on a Friday and committed that Monday,” Chetosky said. “Sometimes committing early isn’t the best thing because you can either lose interest or get a better offer from a different school. But for me, the earlier the better.”

A few juniors have already committed to colleges as well. Lauren Fuller, a volleyball player, chose University of San Diego in July. Like the seniors, she factored in academics, but she wishes to return to California, which is “home” for her. Lacrosse player Annie Ritcher committed to Navy in September. There are plenty of scouts at various games looking at Central’s players.

According to the student athletes, there are advantages to deciding earlier. ‘[It’s]just having it off of my mind and knowing where I’m going,” Bunting said. “Deciding so early means I can now just focus on keeping grades up and competing at a high level on the court,” Fuller said.