8 Rancho Santa Margarita Student-Athletes Commit To Universities

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA — Eight Santa Margarita Catholic High School student athletes made their commitment to their sports and future successes official on Wednesday as part of the NCAA's National Letter of Intent Signing Day.

The letter of intent is a binding agreement between a student-athlete and a college for at least one academic year, and these Santa Margarita Catholic High School students made their commitments to universities across the United States.

The following student-athletes signed as part of the NCAA National Letter of Intent Signing Day:

Madeline Baker — Vanderbilt

Madeline Baker committed to Vanderbilt for soccer after a career as a two-year varsity starter at Santa Margarita. Baker has been recognized as a top defender during her youth career, and she has received an invitation to train with the U.S. Soccer regional selection program for the U14, U15, U16, U17 and U18 teams.

In addition to that, Baker has also been chosen to participate in the U14 national training team camp and the U17/U18 women's national virtual session. She was named ECNL first team All-Conference in 2021, and made an appearance in the ECNL national finals with her club team, Slammers FC HB Koge.

The Mission Viejo resident maintains her status as an honors student who carries a 3.86 cumulative GPA.

Hero Kanu — Ohio State University

Hero Kanu committed to Ohio State University for football. He is a two-year varsity football starter who made his way to Santa Margarita overseas from Germany. Since then, Kanu has displayed an incredible ability for American football ever since he took it up less than three years ago.

By the end of his senior year, Kanu had received offers from 27 Division I programs before officially committing to the Buckeyes. Of his achievements, Kanu was recognized as All Trinity League and All-CIF during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. Also, Kanu was recognized as second team All-State during the COVID-19 shortened spring 2021 season and first All-State for the fall 2021 campaign.

The Rancho Santa Margarita resident was named an Adidas All-American for the 2021 season, which honors the nation's top 100 football players.

The following student-athletes celebrated either their Ivy League, Division 3, NAIA or preferred walk-on school commitments. Ivy League and Division 3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships, so no letter of intent was signed in these instances.

Kilian O'Connor — USC

Kilian O'Connor committed to USC as a preferred walk-on for football, and has grounded the offensive line at Santa Margarita as a four-year varsity letterman who additionally served as three-year varsity captain. O'Connor is known for his aggressive style of play and high football IQ, and was honored as his team's MVP during his senior year.

O'Connor earned All-Trinity League, All-County, All-CIF and All-State recognitions. While not playing football, the Ladera Ranch resident is a scholar-athlete maintaining a 3.6 GPA in his classes. He plans to major in business at USC.

Preston Dorand — Otterbein University

Preston Dorand committed to Otterbein University for baseball, and was admitted to the Honors College at the Ohio university. He is a four-year Eagle baseball player, playing primarily outfield as a left-handed hitter. Dorand spent every one of those four years being a presence at the plate, hitting .438 in the 2020 COVID-19 shortened season and .349 during the 2021 campaign.

Dorand was honored as a scholar-athlete, a member of the National Honors Society and the Johns Hopkins Leadership Camp. He has volunteered for Solano Food Bank, Lions. Heart, NEGU and the Stop Cancer Walk. He resides in Laguna Niguel.

Ryan Nopper — Chapman University

Ryan Nopper committed to Chapman University for baseball. He is a right-handed hitting infielder, and a four-year player of the Eagle program. Nopper lettered as a junior by showcasing his defensive skills and versatility while playing multiple positions for the Eagles.

Outside of the field, Nopper holds a 4.1 GPA and has additionally been named CSF scholar and a scholar-athelete. Nopper volunteers with Surfrider, the NEGU foundation, the RAD foundation and Families Forward. He lives in Mission Viejo.

Caroline Sanders — Smith College

Caroline Sanders committed to Smith College for women's lacrosse. The four-year varsity starter plays primarily midfield and attack positions for Santa Margarita. Sanders has earned All-Trinity League lacrosse honors in her career with the Eagles. She is also a dual-sport athlete, as she played nine years of competitive club soccer with the Strikes and Pateadores clubs at the ECNL and DA divisions.

Outside of sports, Caroline has been awarded two United States Congressional Medals representing the 45th District, which she received for her volunteer work with the elderly. She was also a recipient of the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award for leadership and global community service, and has several other humanistic accomplishments under her belt. Sanders plans to student pre-medicine at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. She currently resides in Coto de Caza.

Daniel Palfi — Johns Hopkins

Daniel Palfi committed to Johns Hopkins University for water polo. He is a two-year varsity player and one year varsity starter, and was selected as co-captain this past season, where he was recognized as second team All-Trinity League and third team All-CIF.

Outside of the pool, Palfi is a member of the National Honor Society and the California Scholarship Federation. He maintains a 4.8 GPA and currently resides in Mission Viejo.

Lott (Quint) Steffey — Johns Hopkins University

Steffey committed to Johns Hopkins University for water polo after serving as a two-year varsity athelete and a four-year scholar-athelete. He is a USA Water Polo Academic All-American, and played for Aetos Water Polo Club through from his freshman to his junior year. He currently plays for SET Water Polo Club.

Steffey is a National Merit Scholarship commended student and an AP Scholar with distinction. He volunteers at Saddleback Community Church as a member of the Grocery Distribution COVID-19 Response Team. In the classroom, Steffey holds a 4.6 GPA. He resides in Capistrano Beach.