Originally, Greg Hatchel wanted to play lacrosse while attending the U.S. Air Force Academy, while his brother Adam Hatchel wanted to play for a school on the East Coast.

By the time it came to make their respective academic commitments, it was Adam going to Air Force Academy and Greg who is heading back east; however, both will be at military academies.

The Hatchel brothers of Mountain Vista High School lacrosse were among 10 student athletes to be honored April 9 at the school in Highlands Ranch in a follow-up to National Letter of Intent Day for making commitments to play for respective colleges.

Adam Hatchel signed to play lacrosse for the Air Force Academy Prep School, while Greg Hatchel committed to play for the Merchant Marine Academy Prep School. Greg was the brother who always wanted to attend a military academy, Adam said; however, AFA Prep soon became Adam’s best recruiting option.

The Falcons are one of the only Division I lacrosse programs existing, and Adam Hatchel would be only the second Colorado player on its roster. Merchant Marine Prep has a Division III lacrosse program.

The structure of AFA Prep appealed to Adam Hatchel and after a visit to the school, he bought into the military academy lifestyle.

“It kind of feels like an Ivy league school, even though academically I don’t feel I deserve one,” Adam said.

Playing with the prep school, Adam Hatchel said he was excited to have a whole year to get acquainted to the school and get better as a player before moving up.

Greg Hatchel, also a Golden Eagles wrestler, is pleased to not only have the chance to become an officer and receive his shipmate’s license, he is pleased to be attending in New York, since the Hatchel’s have family in Maryland. He hadn’t even heard of MMA Prep until a year ago. Greg contacted the lacrosse coach there and got the coach to see him play during a tournament trip to Maryland.

“I’ve put a lot of hard work, time and effort [into lacrosse,” Hatchel said. “I would be disappointed to go cold turkey. … Once I knew I’d still be playing another four years, I got excited.”

The Hatchel brothers weren’t the only lacrosse players to be honored this time around for a college commitment. Brock Blankenship and Ryan Moorman was also among the 10. One of the Eagles’ top scorers, Blankenship signed to continue lacrosse at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania. Moorman, another key player for Vista this season, will actually be keeping Greg Hatchel company in New York, as Moorman also committed to play at the Merchant Marine Academy Prep School.

Two players from Golden Eagles softball put pen to ink. Pitcher Kelly Unkrich signed to play for the Colorado School of Mines and heavy hitter Cedar Blazek agreed to play and attend Williams College in Massachusetts.

Madison Robb, a leader with Vista girls golf, made her commitment to swing iron for Oakland University in Michigan.

After helping Mountain Vista volleyball through a handful of highly successful seasons, Nikki Nutch trades in her wings to play the nets for Chadron State College in Nebraska.

State wrestling qualifier Matt Conahan caps off his senior year with a commitment to grapple in Minnesota for Saint John’s University.

Gridiron standout Brandon Miller heads north this fall having agreed to play football for the University of Wyoming.