There are hundreds of athletes who walk through the halls of Cal High every year, but it’s very seldom that they go on to play at the collegiate level.

The Class of 2014 has 11 Division-1 bound athletes going off to pursue their passions for the next four years and beyond.

These student-athletes include Nick Allman, Chelsea Arnold, Blake Bierwith, Lindsay Chalmers, Austin Chauvin, Shannon Geary, Hannah Hitchcock, Robin Lampron, Mackenzie Rendich, Madison Ricks, Fina Toetuu.

Chauvin will be attending St. Mary’s College of California in Moraga for baseball. Chavin hopes to have good relationships with all his teammates and make the traveling squad.

“It’s an amazing opportunity. It’s always been a goal of mine to play D-1 baseball,” said Chauvin.

Allman is off to California State University Fresno to play baseball as well.

“I’m kinda nervous because it’s a whole new type of level of play and commitment,” Allman said.  “Every single day, you’re either practicing, conditioning, or lifting weights.”

Ricks, a four-year track and cross country star, will be attending University of Southern California in Los Angeles to further pursue her career in distance running. She will also be running indoor track for USC.

Ricks was named this year’s Danville Rotary Club Athlete of the Year.

“It’s definitely a big time commitment, especially at the next level,” said Ricks, who noted that her goals include breaking personal records and improving overall times.

Rendich is going to play lacrosse at Monmouth University in New Jersey after starring for the Grizzlies for several seasons.

Hitchcock, a state gymnastics champion, will be attending University of Minnesota in Minneapolis to join the women’s gymnastics team. She’s excited to be on the team, but she knows it’s going to be a different experience.

“Right now I get to automatically compete, but in college, I have to make the lineup,” said Hitchcock.

Chalmers, a pitcher for the Grizzlies, is attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to play softball.

Lampron will be swimming at University of California, Davis next year.  Geary is also heading to UC Davis to play lacrosse.

Arnold will be kicking off next season as a forward on the soccer team next year at California State University, Sacramento.

“I feel more comfortable going to college as an athlete,” Arnold said.  “I have a group to be with socially. At the same time, I have to do schoolwork as well.”

A common theme with most of the athletes is that they are starting fresh and will have to work their way up to fame at the college level from square one.

“One of my goals is to get playing time, which is odd because that’s totally different from a goal in high school,” said Arnold.

Heading away from home is also a feeling the athletes are unaccustomed to.

“It’s really bittersweet,” said Allman.  “I’m happy to be moving on and am excited, but it’s kinda sad to leave it all behind.”

Toetuu is attending Western Washington University in Bellingham to play rugby.

Toetuu’s cousin, Queen Hingano, said she is really proud of her.

“I’m happy for her,” Queen Hingano said. “It’s a great thing that she got recruited.”

Bierwith, Cal’s standout running back, is heading off to University Of San Diego to play for the next four years.

“I’m just really excited to get on the field and play,” Bierwith said. “It’s gonna be good.”

Bierwith’s close friend, senior JT Garwood,  is also attending USD.

“Blake and I have been best friends since second grade,” he said.  “The dude’s drive to do what he loves blows my mind. I’m so proud to see him doing what he does best next year with me.”