In the final days of their senior year at Coal City High School, 12 student athletes have announced their intent to participate in collegiate athletics. The announcements came at the school’s Signing Day on April 16.
Sydney Hughes will continue to cheer for her team as a member of St. Ambrose University’s Blue Squad. Hughes will be cheering on the Fighting Bees during her collegiate years. Sydney was accompanied on Signing Day by her parents, Jon Hughes and Jamie Hughes.
Dylan Young will make the move from being a Coaler to a Viking as he will take the field next fall with the Augustana College Football Team. Dylan was accompanied on Signing Day by his parents, Kevin and Brooke Young, and high school coaches Francis Loughran and Cody Onsen.
A three-sport athlete at Coal City High School, Gabe McHugh has made the decision to continue his baseball career at Kankakee Community College. Gabe’s mom, Amy Campagna joined him on Signing Day along with his high school coaches Greg Wills and Nate Wills.
Aiden [AJ] Wills, the son of Nate and Heather Wills, has been selected to continue his education and playing career as a member of the Saints Baseball Team at Aquinas College. AJ was accompanied on Signing Day by his parents and varsity coach Greg Wills.
Corinna Barkley, the daughter of Stephanie Barkley and Clark Barkley, will continue her soccer career playing for coach Scott Mejia at Augustana College in Rock Island. She was accompanied by her parents on Signing Day.
The Eureka College Red Devils are adding soccer player Chloe Pluger to their roster for the 2025-2026 season. Pluger, the daughter of Matt Pluger and Kelly Zuccarello, will be studying political science and history at Eureka. She was accompanied on Signing Day by her mom and step father Al Zuccarello.
Juliana Covington will take her softball talents to College of DuPage where she will join the Chaparrals for the 2026 season. Juliana was accompanied on Signing Day by her parents John Covington and Gabrielle Covington and high school coach Rodney Monbrum.
Kaycee Graf is headed to the University of Nebraska at Kearney next year where she will continue her education and play softball for the Lopers. Kaycee was accompanied on Signing Day by her father, Brian Graf, and high school coach Rodney Monbrum.
D’Arcy Ness has announced that she will be joining the Wolves Softball Team at Joliet Junior College next season. D’Arcy was accompanied on Signing Day by her parents, Randy and Jennifer Ness, and high school coach Rodney Monbrum.
Softball player Madi Petersen has announced that she will continue her education and softball career at Wartburg College in Iowa. Accompanying Madi on Signing Day were her parents Branden and Stephanie Petersen, and high school coach Rodney Monbrum.
Emma Rodriguez is joining the Fighting Saints Volleyball at the University of St. Francis next fall. Rodriguez was joined on Signing Day by her parents, Adam and Katie Rodriguez, and high school volleyball coach Pam McMurtrey.
Abby Viano, the daughter of Jimmy and Andrea Viano, will continue her education and volleyball career at Joliet Junior College next fall. Abby was accompanied on Signing Day by her parents and high school volleyball coach Pam McMurtrey.