Some of the top senior athletes from high schools across the country made their college plans official Wednesday. Rail City prep athletes weren’t left out of that mix. In addition to a pair of student athletes from Reed High, two more from Spanish Springs also signed national letters of intent.

Jordan Rogers and Ashley Collier made up that duo. Rogers signed her scholarship papers to attend the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. for basketball. Collier signed her letter of intent to compete and study at Boise State University for softball.

Rogers is one of the top prep basketball players in the state. The SSHS senior, who gave Pacific her verbal commitment late last summer, was named the High Desert

League’s

player of the year, following a standout junior campaign (2007-08) that saw her average 17.3 points per game and lead the Cougars into the Northern 4A semifinals.

“I’ve always wanted to play college basketball and now it’s actually happening. It’s one of my dreams and now I’m getting to accomplish that,” Rogers said during her signing day celebration Wednesday afternoon. “I liked the coaches, players and atmosphere at Pacific. The coaches were different there than any others I talked to. I just really like it there.”

Rogers was a second-team all-state selection by the Las Vegas Review-Journal after leading the Cougars in scoring, rebounding and assists last winter. Her return along with three other all-league starters and eight total lettermen had many believing the Cougars could make a run at Northern 4A title.

However, those dreams took a hit when Rogers blew out the ACL in her left knee in mid-August. After surgery in early September, Rogers learned she would be sidelined for her entire senior season. Despite the injury, UOP chose to still offer Rogers a scholarship. The commitment from the Big West school also gives Rogers, who lost most of her freshman season to a torn right ACL, plenty of motivation to work hard through an arduous rehabilitation process.

“Yes it does that, but I’m still disappointed I can’t play this year,” she said. “The good news is I still get to play next year and I still get to play in college…I like that Pacific is not too far away because when I was traveling and playing a lot last summer I got kind of homesick.”

UOP coach Lynn Roberts, whose program is losing five seniors after this upcoming season said her current recruiting class is a pivotal one and she’s happy to have Rogers as part of it.

“Jordan is a versatile scorer who can play three different positions on the floor, from shooting guard to power forward. She uses her body well, understands the game, and can flat out score points whether it be from the 3-point line or in the paint,” said Roberts. “She will fit well into our system because of her versatility and ability to score and rebound. Jordan was very highly recruited and we are thrilled that she is going to be a Tiger.”

For Collier, she made the decision to attend Boise State early in the recruiting process. Boise State, which will start its softball program this spring, identified Collier more than a year ago. She gave the Idaho school a verbal commitment last spring.

“I went on an unofficial visit and I fell in love with the town. I felt safe and I like that it’s a college town. Everyone supports the school,” Collier said.

Collier is a two-time first-team HDL outfielder and helped Spanish Springs to back-to-back 4A state championships. Collier is also a talented pitcher but saw limited innings behind a pair of Cougar all-league hurlers in recent years. The standout Spanish Springs athlete said she expects to pitch and play outfield for Boise State .

Collier said she’s fortunate to have the opportunity to sign during the NCAA’s early signing period.

“It feels really good. I’m so relieved,” she said. “I’m really happy. I don’t like being stressed out and that’s what would happen if I didn’t get to sign early. It’s so exciting. If I could leave right now and go play I would.”