Eight Philomath High School seniors gathered on the school’s auditorium stage Monday to celebrate their commitments to compete in college athletics, signing a ceremonial document marking the occasion.
The group represented four sports and five college destinations — volleyball players Taylor Hudson and Shaylee May will head to the College of the Redwoods; baseball pitcher Caleb Babcock and volleyball setter Avery Smith to Linn-Benton Community College; distance runners Abby Phelps to Bushnell University and Leo Pausch to New Mexico State University; and football standouts CD Nuño to Boise State University and Rocco De La Rosa to Oregon State University.
Athletic Director Mike Hood addressed the athletes, families, coaches and classmates in attendance before individual recognitions, telling the group the ceremony marks “the beginning of a new and exciting chapter of your life, filled with endless possibilities.”
Hudson, an honorable mention all-Oregon West Conference selection at middle blocker, said her most memorable moment from her high school career was the team’s weekly dinners. “It didn’t feel like just having teammates, it felt like a family,” she said.
Hudson plans to study education at College of the Redwoods with an eye toward becoming a teacher.
May, a first-team all-OWC outside hitter, said the volleyball program’s culture drove her decision. “The majority of students there are student athletes,” she said of her choice.
For her most memorable moment, May pointed to the past season.
“It felt much more like a family than just a team, and she loved how everyone truly understood the value of competition,” she said.
Smith, a second-team all-OWC setter, credited a prospect camp for sealing her choice of Linn-Benton.
“Coach Jayme (Frazier) coaches with the intent of high-level play, and I love to compete,” Smith said.
She also cited connections with current and committed players and the school’s academic programs.
“Definitely my entire 2025 volleyball season,” Smith said of her most memorable moment. “I’ve never had so much love in my heart than I do now for such a great group of girls.”
Babcock, the Oregon West Pitcher of the Year and a first-team all-OWC selection, will stay close to home at Linn-Benton. He cited the program’s winning culture, financial fit and proximity as factors in his decision. His most memorable high school moment — a trip to Klamath Falls his freshman year.
Nuño, a first-team all-Special District 3 outside linebacker and second-team wide receiver who also earned all-state recognition, has a longer road before suiting up for the Broncos — he will play at Boise State following a two-year church mission. His most memorable moment was scoring his first touchdown as a freshman at Rex Putnam.
De La Rosa, the SD3 Player of the Year, earned first-team honors at wide receiver and return specialist and second-team recognition at linebacker, along with all-state recognition. He will play for the Beavers in Corvallis, a decision driven by proximity to home and his familiarity with the program. His most memorable moment was senior night — a Halloween game against Sweet Home in which he said he had never been more nervous, then went on to score four touchdowns with 305 all-purpose yards and two interceptions.
Phelps, who will run cross-country and track at Bushnell University in Eugene, said she wanted to attend a Christian college where she could compete. Her highlight from high school athletics — racing at the district meet alongside her sister, Eden, and competing in the steeplechase with teammate Syd Cothern.
Pausch departs as one of the program’s most decorated distance runners. He won back-to-back OWC cross-country titles as a junior and senior, placed fifth at the state cross-country meet as a junior and eighth as a senior, and last weekend finished fifth in the 3,000 meters and seventh in the 1,500 at the state track meet. He will compete for New Mexico State, drawn by the opportunity to run at a high level in a new environment. His most memorable moment was breaking the school record in the 5K with a 15:10 last September and “running and training with my buds.”
Said Hood during his introductory comments, “We know that you will continue to represent the community of Philomath well, as you pursue your academic and athletic endeavors at the collegiate level.”
