KENNEBUNK — Most high school athletes will never get a chance to sign a National Letter of Intent to compete at the next level — but on the first day of the NCAA signing period on Wednesday, three Kennebunk High seniors would join that exclusive club.
Kennebunk’s Derek Smith signed with Division I Bryant University to play baseball, while Evan Schindler will be heading to St. Michael’s College to play Division II lacrosse and Christine Jarowicz will take her talents to Franklin Pierce to play D2 field hockey next year.
All three Kennebunk athletes knew right away that they found their new homes.
“The amazing coaches, the people, the atmosphere and the great academics. I immediately fell in love with the place,” said Smith, who will play outfield for the Bulldogs.
Both Jarowicz and Schindler felt like part of the family from the moment they stepped on campus.
“The (first time) I walked on the campus I really just got a feel. It really felt like home after meeting with the coach and the players, just the way (head coach Alex Smith) is taking that program just made me really want to go there,” said Schindler.
“I went there for an overnight and I went for a practice and got to know the team. The whole team was so welcoming and the coach was so welcoming, I automatically clicked with a lot of the girls there,” added Jarowicz. “The campus really drew me in (right away), it’s so gorgeous. I love the small community and so I’m really going to be able to know everybody there.”
The Kennebunk standouts are happy to have the recruiting process in the rear-view mirror.
“It’s definitely a nice weight off your shoulders knowing where you’re going,” said Schindler. “It’s going to make the season a little more enjoyable knowing there’s not (college coaches) on the sidelines watching. It’s just exciting to know where I’m going and I’m really happy about it.”
Smith is thrilled to be joining a Division I program — and the KHS standout gave credit to his club baseball coach for helping him get looks from the top college level.
“With the great support from my AAU team, Maine Lightning, and Ryan Copp, he was able to get me out there so a lot of coaches could see me. It really helped,” Smith said.
Jarowicz signed to play field hockey at the D2 level despite missing most of her senior season with an injury — and she will be working hard to prove the Franklin Pierce coaches right.
“This year I’m going to work extra hard to regain my strength and my ability to play again,” Jarowicz said.
Jarowicz believes her work with Kennebunk coaches Kayla Billings and Sue Donaher has prepared her for the next level.
“I’m going to take away everything I’ve learned from coach Kayla Billings and coach Sue Donaher. They are the ones who pushed me to be the player I am today,” Jarowicz said.
Schindler also pointed to his high school coaches as people who helped get him to this point.
“I think honestly all the coaches have always taught us to just buckle down and do whatever you can, put in the best work you can and hard work will always pay off … I think that really showed today that it really has paid off,” Schindler said.
Smith will start writing his next chapter when he gets to Bryant, but the standout will always remember his time at Kennebunk.
“The sense of community,” said Smith on what he will take away from KHS. “The people are great here, great supporters and that really helped me throughout the process — all my friends and teachers are really just great people.”
— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 780-9017. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.

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