There will be six Grizzlies representing the class of 2016 in a variety of Division 1 sports all over California, and the east coast.

Senior Rachel Marchuk will be continuing her softball career at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut next year.

Marchuk has been on the Cal High varsity softball team since her freshman year, playing mainly middle infield, with an appearance behind the plate as catcher when needed.

“Cal has taught me how to balance my school, work, and training pretty well. I believe I am prepared for that aspect of college,” said Marchuk.

Along with Quinnipiac, Marchuk also had an offer from Chico State University, and was talking with Dartmouth.

“After I visited for the first time, it felt like a place where I belonged. I got to meet the professors, and my future teammates, they all seem like amazing people. Also, I have some family out there so if I need anything, they’ll be there for me,” said Marchuk of Quinnipiac.

In this upcoming fall, senior Matt Miller will be taking his talents in water polo to Wagner College in New York.

After three years on Cal’s varsity men’s water polo team, Miller attributes his readiness for college athletics to his coach Matt Head.

“I would tell an incoming freshmen who wants to play D1 athletics that they need to set goals for themselves and work to achieve them as quick as possible,” said Miller.

Senior Liam Steigerwald will be attending UC Santa Barbara to play baseball at the Division 1 level in the fall of 2016.

Steigerwald played on Cal’s varsity team for his junior and senior years, mainly pitching for the Grizzlies, and playing at first base from time to time.

“Cal has prepared me a lot because we play in a strong league so I am forced to compete in every outing,” said Steigerwald.

Cal will also be sending two women’s lacrosse players to play at Division 1 schools.

Senior Jordyn Pandolfo will be moving to Fresno, California to attend Fresno State University.

Pandolfo played on Cal’s women’s varsity lacrosse team for four years as an attacker, where she led the team as a captain for her senior year.

“I chose Fresno because they have a great coaching staff and team chemistry,” said Pandolfo.

Senior Morgan Taylor will be attending San Diego State University to continue her lacrosse career as a midfielder.

Taylor has also played on Cal’s varsity women’s lacrosse team for four years as a captain for her last two years of playing.

“I really liked the team atmosphere and the school itself seemed like a perfect fit for me,” said Taylor. “The beach was also a plus.”

Another Cal senior who will be moving to the beach is football player Nick Friedel.

Friedel will be taking his football talents to The University of San Diego in the fall.

“San Diego is close enough to home where my parents can come watch me play but far enough away where I can be independent,” siad Friedel.

Friedel spent two of his four years at Cal High on the varsity football team as a defensive end.

After four years of endless hours of practices and games, Cal High has prepared these grizzlies for the challenge Division 1 athletics will throw at them.

Congratulations to all Cal High athletes, and good luck on all future endeavors. We are excited to see your successes.