Yesterday, Montverde Academy had a record 37 student-athletes sign National Letters of Intent (NLI) as they committed to continue their athletic career collegiately. MVA also saw six students awarded for earning top academic scholarships to top colleges. Out of the record number of signees, 15 were SIMA student-athletes.
“On signing day, we celebrate the last phase of the MVA and SIMA process, honoring the hard work and dedication of our student athletes resulting in an opportunity at the next level,” said SIMA Director and Head Coach Mike Potempa. “From directors and coaches to administrators and staff, the entire SIMA family is proud of the effort, determination, and resilience that these student-athletes have shown throughout their time with us. We are thrilled to be celebrating this great achievement with them and their families today and wish them much success in their future endeavors in the classroom and on the field of competition. We are confident that this group of seniors will continue our tradition of success at the collegiate level, and although we are saddened that they will no longer be with us, we know they will continue to live the values and lessons they’ve learned through academics and sport here at Montverde Academy and SIMA for the rest of their lives.”
Below is a list of all SIMA student-athletes that signed their NLI this morning along with their college, hometown, and position.
Bleno Cruz
Marshall University (NCAA DI)
Hometown: Recife, Brazil
Position: Forward
Joao Pedro Souza
Marshall University (NCAA DI)
Hometown: Cuiaba, Brazil
Position: Midfielder
Joao Gallo Lima
University of Charleston, West Virginia (NCAA DII)
Hometown: Campinas, Brazil
Position: Left back
Caio Brandao
Queens University of Charlotte (NCAA DII)
Hometown: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Position: Midfielder
Xavier Laneuville
St. Francis University (NCAA DI)
Hometown: Trois-Rivieres, Canada
Position: Midfielder
Douglas Oliveira
King University (NCAA DII)
Hometown: Brazil
Position: Center back
Joao Gabriel Curvo
Wingate University (NCAA DII)
Hometown: Cuiaba, Brazil
Position: Midfielder
Kelvin Mulinya
Appalachian State University (NCAA DI)
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Position: Forward
Matheus Maccari
University of Indianapolis (NCAA DII)
Hometown: Campinas, Brazil
Position: Left back
Luiz Oliveira
Wingate University (NCAA DII)
Hometown: Salvador, Brazil
Position: Forward
Luiz Sodre
Luther College (NCAA DIII)
Hometown: Taubate, Brazil
Position: Center back
Mario Valdes
St. Thomas University (NAIA)
Hometown: Mexico
Position: Forward
Christopher Jensen
University of Indianapolis (NCAA DII)
Hometown: Guatemala
Position: Goalkeeper
Ricardo Paiva
Keiser University (NAIA)
Hometown: Brazil
Position: Forward
Juan Pablo Echeverry Gomez
University of Indianapolis (NCAA DII)
Hometown: Colombia
Position: Center back
Diogenes “Mayola” Kinyua
Appalachian State University (NCAA DI)
Hometown: Kenya
Position: Midfielder
*Did not participate in the ceremony