Four Point Loma High School (PLHS) student-athletes realized their dreams last week when they signed athletic scholarship offers from Division I universities. The quartet, including a women’s soccer star and three football standouts, attended an early-morning formal signing ceremony held at the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park before PLHS classes began Feb. 3. The event was part of National Letter of Intent Day, the first day that prospective college recruits can formally announce their choice of schools. Later, during a school ceremony in the PLHS gym, emcee and head football coach Mike Hastings praised the academic and athletic efforts of the scholarship recipients. He introduced each to a cheering crowd that included parents, family members and student-athletes. Shelby Murphy, a feisty attacking midfielder on the Pointers’ defending CIF championship soccer team, will be attending the University of Michigan. The diminutive goal scorer, who carries an all-academic team 3.4 grade-point average, appeared stunned by the reception she received during her visit to the Wolverine campus in Ann Arbor. “They take their athletics very seriously,” said Murphy of her Big 10 school choice. “I was recognized and asked for autographs both on and off campus. I’m really excited and I believe Michigan will open a lot of doors for me.” Murphy’s father, John, is the athletic director and women’s soccer coach at PLHS. Jordan Sparkman will be playing tight end for the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels. Standing 6 feet, 6 inches and weighing 230 pounds, the affable receiver found the Paradise, Nevada campus to his liking. Sparkman told the crowd he struggled with his studies since his freshman year and credited his teachers and classmates for helping him succeed. In explaining his choice, Sparkman quipped, “I’ve been a rebel all my life.” Since the Rebels are members of the Mountain West Conference, Sparkman will likely return in his scarlet and gray uniform to battle San Diego State’s Aztecs at Qualcomm Stadium during his collegiate career. Running back Leslie Rogers will don the cardinal red and blue uniform of the Fresno State Bulldogs, who signed several other area players. Rogers, who blossomed when given the opportunity to carry the football as a sophomore, is a 6-foot-2-inch, 185-pounder. He endured a serious leg injury as a junior and missed part of the recently completed season with a blood clot in his leg, but assured the crowd, “I am 100 percent now.” “I met the coaches when I was a sophomore,” Rogers said. “They have always been really interested in me.” Rogers credited his “second mom” (PLHS head counselor Laurie Hurl) with helping him make a plan, resulting in “my dream coming true.” The Bulldogs play in the Western Athletic Conference. For linebacker Anthony Joyner, the honors continue to accumulate. He was recently named to the Cal-Hi Sports all-state first team for medium enrollment schools and second team for all state schools. “It’s been a long time since we had someone receive all-state honors,” Hastings told the crowd. Joyner is headed for Las Cruces, New Mexico to play for the New Mexico State Aggies. Standing 6-foot-2-inches and weighing 220 pounds, local prep opponents grew to fear Joyner, who led the Pointers to a CIF Division III runner-up finish at Qualcomm Stadium. He also was recognized as an all-academic team member with a 3.28 grade-point average. “I talked to a bunch of colleges,” Joyner recalled, “but New Mexico State by far showed the most interest. Their top linebackers graduated, so I’ll have a great opportunity. When I visited, I loved the players, coaches and school.” Because New Mexico State also plays in the Western Athletic Conference, Joyner may well find himself tackling Rogers in the future. In any event, all four will be tackling challenges of their own.