Two Stars Sign to Pursue Sports in College

Congratulations to two of our outstanding St. Agnes Academy athletes who will be taking their talents to the collegiate level next year. Estelle Ryan signed a letter of intent to bowl for Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, and Lizzie Sander signed her letter of intent to swim for Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

SAA-SDS Athletic Director Matt Nelson shared, “The hard work and positive energy these two Stars brought to their teams made the difference in their overall success. It has been exciting to see them both grow individually as athletes. We cannot wait to follow their successes at the next level.”

In her last bowling season as a Star, Estelle Ryan finished 2nd in the region and 10th in the state individually.  She led her team to a third-place finish in the 2022 state championship tournament and a fourth-place finish in 2021. She won singles titles back-to-back at the Memphis USBC city tournament in both 2020 and 2021.

According to her coaches Matthew Burkhead and Vicki Houlihan, “Estelle is a model athlete with great focus and dedication during practice and in competition. Estelle is known to devote many hours of practice on her own, which yielded a high degree of accomplishment and increased skills on the lanes. She is ultimately a team player and always drives her teammates with encouragement and support. This high-energy, well-rounded young lady has a bright future as a bowler as well as in her chosen career path.”

Lizzie Sander recently won the 2022 Shelby County Swim Meet in 200-yard IM and was a state finalist in both 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard backstroke. She was named a YMCA Nationals Qualifier in both 2021 and 2022 and was named to the Daily Memphian 2022 All-Metro Swim Team for her performance this season.

Lizzie’s coaches Bakari Williams (SAA Coach) and Gil Stovall (Memphis Tigers Club) credit her with being a true leader and changing the culture on both her school and club swim teams. “Lizzie is always at the forefront of leading her team. She is first in and last out at practice and she is always the first to offer another swimmer help. She is hard-working and dedicated to improvement. She is known for her positive attitude and her encouragement of everyone.”

SAA-SDS is proud of these young women who understand the value of challenging themselves and putting in the hard work to achieve, while displaying the leadership skills necessary to make the world a better place. Go Stars!