Among a large number of athletes from a variety of athletics programs at Highlands Ranch High School to sign national letters of intent to take their talents to the collegiate level, six more join the ranks.

Highlands Ranch athletics celebrated its student athletes who made college commitments in the Spring time April 22 at the school in Highlands Ranch. Among them were three baseball players, one signing for football, two from the Falcons Class 5A state championship runner up team and one from the school’s powerhouse girls hoops program.

Michael Brady - Mesa State University, football

Brady is a three-year varsity football player at Ranch who is usually found in the defensive secondary. Also a basketball and baseball athlete for the school, he received All-State honors as a D-back his senior gridiron season.

“I enjoy just being out on the field with your teammates enjoying the game and all the great moments within it,” Brady said.

He said his favorite high school football moment was beating Chaparral and ThunderRidge.

“We were huge underdogs and to win those games shocked a lot of people,” Brady said.

Chelsea Dornseif - Westmont College, volleyball

Dornseif was a part of the Falcons’ top 4 volleyball team in 2008 and their 2009 Class 5A state championship runner up roster. Both years she was voted Most Inspirational Player. A two-year varsity player, she heads to California to play for Westmont.

“I wanted to go there first,” Dornseif said. “After visiting and practicing with the team, they offered me a spot

“I love how every play is different. It’s always changing and always exciting.”

Dornseif said, in her senior season, the team’s goal was to win the state title. Although it fell just short, the Falcons did go further in the state tournament than before in its history. Her favorite moment of high school volleyball was of course the state showdown, winning the game that took Ranch to the championship finals and walking out as a tam during the event’s Parade of Champions.

“It was so amazing,” she said. “I couldn’t believe we made it that far.”

Dornseif plans on studying kenesiology at Westmont.

Conner Kincaid - University of North Dakota, baseball

After three seasons of varsity baseball, Kincaid is headed to the Sioux’s program at the University of North Dakota. Also a tennis and cross country during his time at Ranch, the senior has earned a past All-League honorable mention as a pitcher. Kincaid signed with the Sioux for the chance to play Division I ball and for the opportunity to fly. He aspires to study aviation at UND.

“I enjoy pressure situations, whether it’s being the last batter of coming in for the close,” Kincaid said of his sport of choice. “I love those situations.”

His favorite moment of high school ball is when the Falcons beat cross-town rival Mountain Vista his junior year.

“It was a close game all the way until the last out,” Kincaid said.

He hopes to go out strong in his senior season with a state title.

Leylin Marroquin - Bucknell University, volleyball

Marroquin heads to Pennsylvania to play volleyball at Becknell University. She is a two-year varsity athlete and libero on the Falcons’ 2009 state runner up team and a part of the 2008 Top 4 team as well. She is also a tennis athlete. The senior said she enjoys every aspect of volleyball.

“All parts are important,” Marroquin said.

Her favorite moment of high school volleyball was during the state championship tournament against Doherty.

“It was really intense, and the atmosphere on the court was just really supportive, and I’ve never had so much fun on the court,” Marroquin said.

She plans on studying engineering at Bucknell.

Christian Schneider - Hastings College, baseball

As a pitcher, Schneider is in his first season of varsity baseball at Highlands Ranch after hard work and improvement from his junior year. He heads to Nebraska to play for Hastings after graduation. He has also been a basketball athlete at Ranch.

“I love being with my teammates and the pressure and competition of baseball,” Schneider said.

He also would like to see the Falcons get deep in the playoffs and reach a state title. Schneider said his favorite moments of high school ball was throwing a no-hitter during his sophomore year and playing with the Colorado Rockies scout team at the Arizona Fall Classic as a senior.

Shanti Smith - Sacramento State University, basketball

Also headed to California is Shanti Smith to play hoops after a year at high school varsity ball at Ranch. Having coming to Ranch from Regis Jesuit two years ago, Smith earned All-Tournament honors during the team’s trip to Oregon.

“My favorite, favorite moment was probably shooting a half-court three [pointer], because I thought coach [Jarocki] told me too, but she really didn’t,” Smith said. “Everyone in the gym laughed at me. I loved it.

“I love playing. It’s so fun.”