It's the first day of the early college signing period, and 5 of our local athletes are headed to the next level.

Headlining the day is SPASH's Janna Check, who will swim at the division one level with UW-Green Bay, who already have 4 ladies on the team from our area. She chose the Phoenix over the likes of South Dakota, Truman State and Illinois State.

SPASH senior outfielder Heather Woyak has chosen to play softball at Minnesota-Duluth. Part of her decision included school size, team roster for softball and a good town to spend time having fun. Especially watching a quality Bulldog hockey program.

DC Everest senior Alayna Krejzi will take her softball talents to Bemidji State in northwestern Minnesota. Krezji says the recruiting process wasn't all that fun, but she's happy for the chance to play at the next level.

Pittsville senior forward Trail Pierce has committed to play college basketball for Division 2 St. Leo in Florida, about 33 miles north of Tampa. Pierce will play for coach Lance Randall, a former UW-Stevens Point assistant coach. Randall has led a resurgence of the Lions program since taking over in 2011.

Finally, "Snickers" is headed to Division 2 Upper Iowa. Rhinelander's Brianna Jorgensen and her ritual of eating a Snickers bar before every game will suit up for the Peacocks next year. A team that's won just 18 games the last 5 years, but Brianna hopes she can be a big part of thier turnaround.