Vanden High signing day sends seven student-athletes to next level
One of the most important intangibles a student-athlete can develop is adaptability.
Seven Vanden High School seniors will soon put that trait to the test after signing National Letters of Intent Monday to continue their academic and athletic careers at out-of-state colleges.
"I'm excited to experience something different," said linebacker Jayden Marquez-Cook, who's headed to Rocky Mountain College in Billings, Montana. "I've always thrived being uncomfortable, being able to step out of my shell, so I'm excited to do that again."
Marquez-Cook was the lone football signee, while Kekoa Grinton and Daisy Pallares signed to continue their baseball and softball careers, respectively. Three flag football players and one track and field athlete rounded out the class.
Marquez-Cook starred at linebacker in his two years donning the green and gold. He was an integral part of the Vikings' 2024 state championship team and served as a team captain this past season, when he racked up 77 tackles.
"Being able to win a state championship, then this year being a team captain and leading the team, I feel like it gave me a different perspective," Marquez-Cook said. "It helped mold me into who I am and who I'm going to continue to be in college."
While Marquez-Cook gets used to the snow, Grinton will enjoy his free time at the beach.
The leadoff hitter, who led the Vikings in batting average (.397), hits (29) and runs scored (28) this past season, signed with Hawaii Pacific University, an NCAA Division II school in Honolulu.
"It sounds like paradise," Grinton said with a smile. "I get to go to the beach all day and do what I love."
Grinton said the recruiting process was full of ups and downs. He nearly gave up on college baseball to pursue trade school, but earned the opportunity he dreamed of by maintaining regular contact with the Sharks.
"It was probably once a month I would text them. It was honestly out of my comfort zone," Grinton said. "I didn't have a whole ton of action throughout my whole recruitment process, but one thing my coach (Kevin Berg) told me was to keep in contact with your coaches."
On the softball side, Pallares made it official with St. Mary's University, an NCAA Division II school in San Antonio.
Pallares helped Vanden capture a Sac-Joaquin Section title in 2025, the program's first since what is believed to be 2003. She is the lone senior on a Lady Vikings team that reached the Northern California regional playoffs for the second consecutive season.
"Daisy wrote down that one of her goals was to make varsity softball as a freshman, and she did," said assistant softball coach Lauryn Zabat. "What freshman Daisy didn't realize was that she wasn't just going to be on varsity, she was beginning four years of becoming one of the most hard-working, most dependable players our program has had."
Vanden's newest program, flag football, was well represented. Twin sisters Kenna and Cadie Holloway signed with Saginaw Valley State University, an NCAA Division II school in Michigan, while Amya Evans put pen to paper with the University of St. Francis, an NAIA school in Indiana.
The Holloway twins were previously committed to Albright College, but recently flipped to Saginaw Valley State after deciding it was the better fit.
"Thank you to Kenna for always forcing me to play sports with you," Cadie said. "I would've never got to this place without you. I'm glad I get to play college ball with you by my side."
Girls shot put and discus athlete Naijah Harris signed with the University of North Texas. Harris, a javelin thrower for her club team, competed for Vanden's track and field team for the first time this past season.
"I want to thank her for doing something she normally doesn't do in track and field," said head coach Larry Hogue. "Doing the shot put and the discus helped us in a lot of track meets."
Sprint phenom Naiaja Sizemore, who signed with Ohio State University in November, was also honored at the event. Sizemore captured two state championships in 2025 and added another podium finish Saturday, finishing second in the girls 100-meter dash at the CIF State Track and Field Championships in Clovis.
"It's really becoming more of a rarity to go straight from high school into an athletic scholarship," said athletic director Sean Murphy. "We're extremely proud of them and looking forward to the outstanding things that they're gonna do in the future."
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This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 8:05 PM.