There’s nothing quite like the feeling of greatness—when years of sweat, sacrifice and self-belief finally pay off. For student-athletes, signing on to play at the collegiate level is more than just a moment; it’s a milestone. At Lamar, this dream becomes reality year after year, and this season, four exceptional athletes are stepping into that spotlight. Their journeys, fueled by passion, perseverance and community, are proof that greatness is earned.

Tatiana Nwosu: 

One of the standout athletes at this year’s signing event was Tatiana Nwosu, a devoted and driven field hockey player. “It was love at first sight,” she shared. “I played many sports growing up, but field hockey sparked something different. It gave me a sense of teamwork and collaboration that I didn’t find elsewhere, and the love just grew from there.” Nwosu has been playing field hockey for seven years, spending four of them as a sweeper on Lamar’s varsity team. She credits her time at Lamar by saying, “Coach Jenny was a huge help in making me a more versatile player. She put me in a position where I had to play back defense, which was extremely different from what I’m used to.” Now, Nwosu will be moving on to play as a Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Engineer and study game design. 

Cash Reese: 

Another star player at Lamar’s signing event was soccer star Cash Reese, who has been playing soccer for 13 years. With three seasons on Lamar’s varsity team as a defensive midfielder, Reese has helped the team earn many well-deserved victories. As he prepares to continue his athletic and academic journey at Schreiner University—where he’ll join the Mountaineers and study civil engineering—he reflects fondly on his time at Lamar. “I’ll miss my teammates the most,” he said. “Throughout the years they’ve truly helped me be the amazing player that I am today.” Reflecting on his own experience, Reese encourages those hoping to pursue college soccer to stay hopeful: “There’s a spot on a team for everyone—you just have to keep looking and stay open-minded.” Looking ahead, Reese has big dreams to play pro ball with Manchester City, and whether he makes it or not the Lamar community will be proud. 

Phoenix Sneed: 

Next up is Phoenix Sneed, a top performer on the girls’ basketball team whose love for the sport started at the early age of four years old. With parents who both played the game, basketball has always been a part of her life. However, balancing athletics and academics almost made her drop the ball. “Sometimes I had doubts about playing college basketball,” she admitted. “It takes up a lot of time and leaves little room for fun, but with my family’s support and my love for the game, I knew this was the right path.” This fall, Sneed will study psychology and join the Blinn Buccaneers, who she feels have already begun treating her like family. “The coaches and players were so welcoming and helpful during my visit. They kind of threw me into drills, making me feel like part of the team right away which was a huge part of why I chose Blinn,” she shared. 

Bailey Hashmi: 

Closing out this year’s impressive group of signees is track sensation Bailey Hashmi. Hashmi has been running track seriously since his sophomore year of high school and he’s adored it ever since. “I just love the thrill of winning!” he says. And win he does—Hashmi has competed in several major meets, including regionals and area, consistently securing top finishes of first and second place. His relentless effort and commitment caught the attention of Baylor University’s track and field program, where he’ll compete this fall. At Baylor, Hashmi plans to study computer science while continuing to leave his competitors in the dust—with eyes set on an even bigger dream: the Olympics. 

These four athletes—Nwosu, Reese, Sneed, and Hashmi—have each carved their own unique path through determination, perseverance, and passion for their sport. As they take the next step in their athletic and academic journeys, they carry with them the pride of the Lamar community and the promise of even greater things to come. “Work hard and maybe you’ll be the next one signing,” says Hashmi.