23 student-athletes gathered around friends, family and coaches to celebrate their academic and athletic commitments on National Signing Day, Feb. 1, 2023.

The National Letter of Intent is a binding agreement between a student-athlete and their selected NCAA college, university or institute. The NLI is signed by more than 48,000 student-athletes each year, according to ncsasports.org. 

Eight of the students signed with Division I schools, one with Division II and 13 signed with Division III. 

“I would like to thank Coach Zell and the rest of the coaching staff at Ocean Lakes for being my family for the past four years, along with my teammates and friends for pushing me to be my best,” said senior Nick Ventrice. “I’m excited for the next four years.”