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4 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Student-Athletes Sign to Compete in College

by Matt Rothman November 14, 2022

by Matt Rothman November 14, 2022 19 views

4 More Marjory Stoneman Douglas Student-Athletes Sign to Compete in College

Maya Berndt, TJ Thompson, Olivia Alvarez and Jesyne Espinal. {MSD Athletics}

By: Matt Rothman

Marjory Stoneman Douglas had four student-athletes officially sign their letter of intent to compete in college.

Jesyne Espinal

Jesyne Espinal is set to play at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro after she graduates in the spring.

She started her varsity career at Coral Springs Charter and won a State Championship in eighth grade before transferring over to MSD.

Jesyne Espinal. {Courtesy}

This past season, she recorded four wins on the mound with an era of 3.01. Espinal also struck out 101 hitters in 79 innings.

“I am so excited to move on to the next level,” said Espinal.” I am so thankful to God and to my family, who have played a key role in my athletic career. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Olivia Alvarez

Olivia Alvarez is officially signed to continue her softball career at Rollins College in Winter Park.

She has been on the varsity softball team for three years and has a .352 batting with two home runs and 24 RBIs in 39 games. Alvarez also participated for Team Columbia in the South American Bolivarian Games, where her team won a silver medal. She had a game-winning triple in the quarterfinals.

“It felt great to sign and officially become part of such a great program,” said Alvarez. “I am so thankful for this opportunity and for the people who have helped me to this point.”

Olivia Alvarez. {Courtesy}

Maya Berndt

After committing earlier this year, Maya Berndt is signed to play college soccer at Northeastern University in Boston.

At five, she began playing soccer and played travel soccer for Coral Springs United, AC Delray, and Weston FC, which turned into Florida United.

Sisters Michelle and Maya Berndt. {Courtesy}

“It feels amazing to finally be able to sign and make things official,” Berndt said. “It makes me more and more motivated to continue to train hard and get better as I get closer to the start of college soccer. I can’t wait to get started.”

Berndt’s sister, Michelle, is currently a freshman playing college soccer at Johns Hopkins University.

Northeastern recently completed its season after making it to the conference championship and winning ten matches.

T.J. Thompson

T.J. Thompson is now officially set to attend the University of West Florida in Pensacola. He shined this year for the MSD golf team, winning the District Championship after shooting a 68 (-2) at the Country Club of Springs.

Thompson also clinched the District Championship for a team after a two-hole playoff. He is set to join the number one ranked Division II Golf program in the country.

All of these student-athletes will be recognized in a ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 16, along with 11 other student-athletes from MSD.

T.J. Thompson. {Courtesy}

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Matt Rothman

Matt Rothman is a 2018 graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University receiving his bachelor’s degree in journalism and then graduated from the University of Florida as a graduate student. He also works for the Mohave Valley Daily News in Bullhead City, Arizona covering high school sports.