Aliso Niguel Athletes Highlight Letter of Intent Day

It was probably the second biggest day in the four-year history of Aliso Niguel football.

The biggest day was Dec. 13, when the Wolverines (14-0) defeated Pacifica in the Division VIII championship game to win the school’s first section title. On Wednesday, running back Scott Nemeth and lineman Cory Fross were among the more than 40 county football players to sign college letters of intent.

Wednesday was the first signing day for athletes in football, girls’ volleyball, boys’ and girls’ soccer, field hockey and boys’ water polo.

Along with being part of the first senior class at Aliso Niguel, Nemeth, who signed with Colorado, and Fross, who is headed to Southern Methodist, were the first Wolverine football players to receive Division I scholarships.

Nemeth and Fross said they were excited and relieved that the recruiting process was over.

“No matter how much you go through, you know it’s going to be positive,” said Fross, an All-Pacific Coast League first-team selection. “But it was tough having to choose.”

Nemeth, the league’s MVP, said he was “overwhelmed” during his visit to Colorado and orally committed while there. “I don’t know how other schools can compete with them,” he said.

But Aliso Niguel wasn’t the only school with reason to celebrate:

* Servite had the most players sign (five) of any county school. Other schools well represented were Southern Section Division I champion Mater Dei, and Division V powers El Toro and Tustin with four players each, including Tiller running backs Dominique DeGrammont and Brandon Lambert, who signed with Boise State, Tiller Athletic Director Al Rosmino said. Capistrano Valley and Division V champion Santa Margarita each had three players sign.

Among other signings Wednesday, Troy lineman Willy Pigueesigned with Idaho and Newport Harbor’s Garret Jansma has made an oral commitment to play soccer at California. Golfer Julie Allison of Foothill has committed to Princeton, and Fountain Valley volleyball setter Carla Miali has signed with Maryland Baltimore.

Charles Chatman, a sophomore running back at Golden West, has signed with Kent (Ohio). Chatman, from Costa Mesa High, rushed for 1,010 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

Rancho Santiago kicker Jerry Arguello (Orange High) has signed with Utah State. He set a school record for field goals in a season with 16.