Brooklynn Pollmiller and Emma Naftanel have shared the pitch nearly every year they’ve played soccer.

Soon, the duo will diverge as they establish their collegiate athletic lives in different states and for new teams. Pollmiller and Naftanel were two of the three Village athletes to sign financial aid agreements Wednesday during National Signing Day and two of four soccer players to put pen to paper.

Though the pair, who compete at Rampart, will diverge next season as Pollmiller heads to Saint Louis University and Naftanel to South Dakota, both players know they’re inseparable.

“I think we’ve been playing together since 5 or 6 years old,” Naftanel said. “Two years ago we split up and went to different teams, but we’ve stayed close and it’s been great. It’ll be different next year, but it’ll also be a new experience. It’ll be great to have this last season with Brooklynn.”

Both said they cherished their time on the field as teammates and highlighted that last season with the Rams. Pollmiller and Naftanel helped lead Rampart to a 12-4-3 record and clinched a 4A semifinals berth as the Rams outscored the opposition 9-0 in the first three rounds.

As savvy as the pair are on the pitch, the two also have remarkable understanding outside the lines. Pollmiller said “if the path lined up” for both to compete at the same school, they would. But neither forced the situation.

“It’s going to be really sad, but I’m thankful that I’ve gone through this process with her,” Pollmiller said. “We’ve experienced so much together and I’m excited to hopefully win it all this year and do the best we can together.”  

Pollmiller and Naftanel have one last season to nab the first girls soccer title in Rampart’s history and expect to venture to the title round.

“(A championship) is the end goal for us,” Naftanel said. “We’re hoping we can get it for senior year.”

Ryan Prater’s middle school experience leads to Grand Canyon

Village’s third Division I signee, Prater said a trip to Arizona in seventh grade planted the seeds for the senior, who plays baseball at Pine Creek, to choose Grand Canyon.

“We went down there for a tournament and went to a game out there,” Prater said. “I loved the school and the culture there. Being a Christian, I wanted to be in an environment where I can remain strong in my faith. … My faith is a huge part of my life and I want to go somewhere where I can remain in my faith but also have a good chance of playing Division I baseball and hopefully, get drafted and play professional baseball.”

Prater had Tommy John surgery and missed his junior year, but threw a no-hitter as a sophomore and struck out 91. Though Prater hopes for an MLB career, he also said he’ll be realistic.

“I don’t think getting drafted out of high school will be in the cards for me, so I’m planning to attend Grand Canyon for three years,” Prater said. “The goal is to get drafted my junior year, but throughout the process I was thinking where could I get set up for my future outside of the game. It’s all going to be over eventually and I have to be ready for life after that.”

Red-Tailed Hawks lacrosse pair headed to Division I schools

Walt Cameron (Merrimack) and Rhett Kircher (Mercer) will take their talents out-of-state to compete in lacrosse.

Kircher heads to Macon, Ga., where he’ll play for a Bears team that finished 2-11 in 2025. Cameron will play in North Andover, Mass., to the play for the 3-10 Warriors.

Cheyenne Mountain won three consecutive lacrosse titles from 2021-23 and the latter championship occurred during their freshman years.

Cheyenne Mountain’s Kasia Dowd, Ivy Ladrow look to assist new teams

As Dowd prepares for her final state volleyball tournament, the Red-Tailed Hawks found time to sign her agreement to join Stonehill’s volleyball program.

Dowd, who has 336 assists prior to the 4A state girls volleyball tournament, will play for the Skyhawks in Easton, Mass., who joined Division I ranks in 2022. Dowd will aim to propel the 6-22 Skyhawks to an improved season.

For Ladrow, the Red-Tailed Hawks senior swimmer ranks 17^th in Colorado, per her Swimcloud profile and had multiple top-five finishes during the USA Swimming Futures Championships in Justin, Texas, in July.

With her Pikes Peak Athletics club team, Ladrow finished tied for second in the 100 freestyle A finals in 59 seconds.  

Several schools to hold future signing day events

Schools including The Classical Academy, Doherty, Thomas MacLaren, Sierra and more will host signing day events in 2026.

D-I early football signing period begins Dec. 3 while D-I and D-II regular period begins Feb. 5, 2026.  

List of official area signees

Division I

Kaisa Dowd, Cheyenne Mountain, volleyball, Stonehill

Ivy Ladrow, Cheyenne Mountain, swimming, Washington State

Rhett Kircher, Cheyenne Mountain, lacrosse, Mercer

Walt Cameron, Cheyenne Mountain, lacrosse, Merrimack

Morgan Holloman, Pine Creek, volleyball, Texas Christian

Brenna Hallam, Pine Creek, soccer, Oklahoma

Isla Eaton, Pine Creek, soccer, Ohio State

Olivia Jackson, Pine Creek, soccer, Air Force

Lily Kemmerer, Pine Creek, swimming, UNLV

Colby King, Pine Creek, lacrosse, Le Moyne

Ryan Prater, Village, baseball, Grand Canyon

Emma Naftanel, Village, soccer, Saint Louis

Brooklynn Pollmiller, Village, soccer, South Dakota

Division II

Wyatt Boley, Cheyenne Mountain, wrestling, Nebraska Kearney

Noah Thompson, Lewis-Palmer, track and field, Fort Lewis

Reese Douglas, Lewis-Palmer, track and field, Hillsdale

Ava Odil, Palmer Ridge, soccer, Western Colorado

Corrina Arrelano, Palmer Ridge, softball, Colorado Colorado Springs

Ava McLain, Palmer Ridge, golf, Colorado Christian

Division III/NAIA/Other

Elyse Eilmes, Cheyenne Mountain, swimming, Wheaton

Lucas Clinard, Lewis-Palmer, baseball, Ottawa

Garrett Hennis, Lewis-Palmer, baseball, Simpson

Bridyn Schortzman, Lewis-Palmer, softball, Midland

Addison Davis, Palmer Ridge, volleyball, Trinidad State

Makenzie Eberly, Pine Creek, softball, Truett-McConnell

Gavin Weichelt, Pine Creek, wrestling, Doane

Morgan Sterk, Pine Creek, basketball, Northwestern

Alexis Anderson, Pine Creek, volleyball, Trinidad State

Lilliana Limon, Sierra, wrestling, Simpson

Jonathon Van Der Merwede, Sierra, baseball, McPherson

Addison Miller, Village, volleyball, Pacific

Carson Seely, Village, baseball, Simpson

Alexis DeHart, Village, soccer, Hastings

Gretchen Krammes, Village, soccer, Nebraska Wesleyan

Austin Jones, Village, swimming, Kenyon