Head Football Coach Arthur Taylor and Principal Wendy Doll look on while Sam Wilensky and Steven Sarbey sign their letters of intent. Photo Credit: BROCK LANDERS
BY KAYLA LOKEINSKY
At Cooper City High School, four varsity athletes have recently been signed to play their sport at a collegiate level. After dedicating significant portion of their high school lives to sports, their hard work has been rewarded in the form of a full college scholarship.
Two varsity football players recently signed letters of intent to play college football with their fellow athletes and coaches looking on.
Senior Sam Wilensky began playing football when he was 7 years old in a pee-wee league, and ever since then he has been training hard as a quarterback. Wilensky lead the team through a historic season, with the Cowboys becoming district champions for the second year in a row. He has accepted a four-year scholarship to play football at Wagner College, a Division I school in New York.
“It felt amazing to get signed,” Wilensky said. “I was very excited and relieved that I finally knew where I was going to be playing football for the next four years of my life. I’m very happy with my decision, and Wagner fits me perfectly.”
Wilensky’s teammate, Steven Sarbey, also earned a four-year scholarship to play football at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Despite being sidelined at the beginning of the season due to a torn ACL, Sarbey’s skills still shined at the end.
“I’m really happy with my choice,” Sarbey said. “I had opportunities to play at some other schools, such as Carnegie Mellon and Allegheny to name a couple, but I chose Wash U because of its strong academics and because I loved the campus when I visited.”
Another CCHS sport that has produced future college athletes is the girls’ varsity soccer team. Two seniors were awarded with four-year scholarships to colleges with strong soccer teams. Senior Tori Vives will be playing for the Nova Southeastern University girls’ soccer team and senior Rachel Watts was awarded full tuition and housing at Broward College. Both girls are extremely proud of their achievements.
“After I got signed I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders,” Vives said. “I was so happy and relieved to know what I’m doing for the future.”
From football to soccer, these CCHS athletes have proven their abilities. They are great examples of how hard work and dedication can take a high school athlete to the college level, making CCHS and the entire Cooper City community proud.
