WASHINGTON CITY — Four state champion baseball players at Crimson Cliffs High School declared their intent to play at the next level Monday afternoon.
Beau Sampson, Jaiven Ross, Brex Starley and Petey Soto all committed to play in college after signing letters of intent in front of a packed crowd at the lecture hall.
Mustangs head baseball coach Justin Abbott told St. George News that the ceremony is the culmination of hard work that started in 2019, when Crimson Cliffs first opened its doors and didn’t even have a baseball program. Or any sports program, for that matter.
“We had a chance to start something great, and these guys were a part of it,” Abbott said. “Everything worked out for a reason. These guys have absolutely earned the opportunity to go and play college baseball and continue their academics.”
All four players will take a 4A state championship ring with them to college after the Mustangs defeated Snow Canyon last spring to secure the title.
The following photo gallery includes signing pictures from Crimson Cliffs as well as from other Region 10 high schools and also includes the school to which each athlete committed.
The current window for athletes to declare their intentions by signing a National Letter of Intent officially began last Wednesday, Nov. 9. Cedar High seniors Quincy Esplin, a discus thrower, and golfer Luke Barnes got things rolling that morning when both signed to stay in town and play for Southern Utah University:
Cedar High seniors Quincy Esplin (track-discus) and Luke Barnes (golf) signed letters of intent to play for Southern Utah University. Both called SUU an ideal fit for them. Esplin plans to study athletic strength and conditioning, while Barnes plans to major in business. pic.twitter.com/3is9bT71xz
— St. George News Sports (@STGnewsSports) November 9, 2022
If you have a recent picture of a signing event for a Region 10 or other Southern Utah high school student-athlete, please send it and the related details via email to St. George News Sports editor E. George Goold and we will include it in this gallery.
Photo Gallery
Pine View volleyball player Halle Wilkinson signs to play at Everett (Washington) Community College, St. George, Utah, Nov. 14, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Pine View High Athletics, St. George News
Hurricane’s Grant Scholzen will remain a Tiger after signing to play baseball at Division I University of the Pacific, Hurricane, Utah, Nov. 10, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Scholzen for St. George News
Cedar High’s Quincy Esplin (track) and Luke Barnes (golf) both signed to play for Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 9, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
(L to R): Jaiven Ross and Beau Sampson (Salt Lake Community College), Brex Starley (College of Southern Idaho) and Petey Soto (Utah Tech) at their signing ceremony, Washington, Utah, Nov. 14, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Petey Soto shows off the 4A state baseball championship ring won by the Mustangs, Washington, Utah, Nov. 14, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
(L to R): Jaiven Ross, Beau Sampson, Brex Starley and Petey Soto hold up their Letters of Intent to play baseball in college, Washington, Utah, Nov. 14, 2022 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News
Desert Hills baseball players Cole DeCastro (College of Southern Idaho) and Landon Musgrave (Grays Harbor College) sign letters to play in college, St. George, Utah, Nov. 10, 2022 | Photo by Mark Musgrave, St. George News
Desert Hills baseball players Cole DeCastro (left, College of Southern Idaho) and Landon Musgrave (right, Grays Harbor College) sign letters to play in college, St. George, Utah, Nov. 10, 2022 | Photo by Mark Musgrave, St. George News
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