Seaholm Athletes Sign On for College Careers During National Signing Day

It was a special day for four Seaholm High School athletes — including one very athletic family.

Seaholm's Lily Slavin and the Wilberding sisters — Aubrey, Mallory and Tess — joined student athletes across the country Wednesday in formally signing letters of intent to compete at various colleges next fall.

The four athletes join seven other Seaholm athletes who signed their letters of intent on Nov. 14.

Signing their letters Wednesday were four young ladies who have proven themselves pros on the soccer field and on the track.

Lily Slavin (soccer), Alma College

A three-year varsity soccer player, and Seaholm's top goal scorer during the 2012 season, Slavin was named a 2012 OAA all-league player for the blue division. Slavin will be playing soccer this fall at Alma College under coach Jeff Hosler.

"I've been playing soccer since I was five," Slavin said. "I first started playing travel soccer (when I was 10) and for the last four years, I've played soccer for the Bloomfield Force with Danny Price as my coach."

"I can't wait to play soccer for Alma," she added. "I want to thank my parents, coaches and teammates who have made this all possible."

Aubrey Wilberding (track/cross country), Michigan State University

As one of the three Wilberding triplets at Seaholm, Aubrey will be running at Michigan State University under coach Lisa Senakiewich. Aubrey said she's considering a business degree at MSU.

"I am so honored for the opportunity to run at Michigan State University," Aubrey said. "I never imagined I would become a collegiate athlete, and I would not have done it without my parents, sisters, coaches and teammates."

Last fall, Aubrey led the Seaholm girls cross country team to a first place finish at the 2012 MHSAA state finals, coming in fourth overall. In 2011, she finished 11th.

In June, Aubrey was also part of the 3,200-meter relay team that finished second at the Division 1 track and field championship, earning herself all-state honors.

Mallory Wilberding (track/cross country), Butler University

Mallory Wilberding, meanwhile, will be running at Butler University under coach Matt Roe.

"I'm ecstatic to have the opportunity to continue my running career with another nationally-ranked program," Mallory said. "With the added benefits of great academics, Butler is the perfect fit for me."

Mallory, who said she likes reading and her job at Birmingham's Sweet Earth, was also a two-year captain on Seaholm's top-ranked cross country team (which not only won the state championship in 2012 but was named the top-ranked team in the nation by the National High School Coaches Association).

Mallory ran varsity track and cross country for four years, and was named all-state in cross country in 2009.

Tess Wilberding (track/cross country), University of Iowa

The final Wilberding sister will also be competing in track and cross country at a collegiate level this fall, signing on to play at the University of Iowa under Layne Anderson.

"I have really enjoyed running cross country and track for Seaholm the past four years," Tess said. "I am really looking forward to run for Coach Anderson at the University of Iowa. I am really blessed to be able to sign with my sisters who I am so proud of as well."

Also part of the top-ranked 2012 girls cross country team, Tess finished 12th overall, the second-highest-ranked runner on the Seaholm team behind her sister Aubrey. Tess came in 49th in 2011.

Tess has been named all-state in cross country three times, and was on the second-place 4x800 relay team at the 2011 state track and field championship. Tess was also a captain of the Seaholm girls track team.

Groves track star also signs on to play at University of Michigan

Slavin and the Wilberding sisters join the following Seaholm athletes who signed letters of intent in November:

• Nancy Benda (tennis), University of Pittsburgh
• Tommy Bowman (soccer), University of Detroit Mercy
• Andrea Gothard (volleyball), Central Michigan University
• Jordan Lenington (softball), University of Detroit Mercy
• Katherine Quigley (lacrosse), University of Michigan
• Adam Susalla (lacrosse), University of Detroit Mercy
• Francesco Ruffino (golf), Michigan State University

Meanwhile, at Groves High School, Phillip Johnson signed a letter of intent to run track at the University of Michigan. According to MLive, Johnson ran the 400-meter dash in 48.31 seconds, and the 200-meter dash in 22.17 seconds at the 2012 Division 1 state track meet