A handful of Guthrie athletes made their pledge to their new future homes Wednesday by signing national letters of intent.
Wednesday was national signing day for high school sports across the country, and the Guthrie High School gym saw senior softball players Haley Gallo, Ava Hebensperger and Kinley Duehning, and cross country athlete Raley Hooper put pen to paper for their college programs.
GHS athletic director Jon Chappell said some words about all four athletes before handing the microphone off to their respective coaches. Bluejays’ head cross country coach Bryce Balenseifen spoke about Raley Hooper, and softball coach Kara Tarrant said some words about her three players.
Four-year varsity cross country runner Raley Hooper made it official by signing with Northwestern Oklahoma State University. She was a part of three top-five Bluejays’ cross country teams during her time at GHS, most recently finishing 25th overall to help the Bluejays nab fifth-place at the Class 5A State Championship Meet earlier this month.
Hooper earned top-10 finishes at the Suburban Conference Cross Country Championships in both 2023 (ninth place) and 2024 (eighth place). She also runs track for GHS, becoming a state qualifier in the 3200-meter event as a junior last year.
Bluejays' outfielder Haley Gallo signed with UCO following a stellar senior season that saw her earn Class 5A All-State honors and 5A-1 District Player of the Year. Guthrie finished as the top team in the district this season with Gallo patrolling the outfield, who was named to the NFCA All-Region II first-team.
Gallo has been committed to UCO softball since December 2023.
Outfielder Ava Hebensperger and pitcher Kinley Duehning will continue to play together as teammates after both signed with Rose State College in Midwest City. Both players picked up district and region awards following a 2024 season that saw Guthrie softball reach its fourth-straight state tournament.
Hebensperger won District Offensive Player of the Year after a big year at the plate this season, as well as All-Region Outfielder and first alternate All-State Outfielder. Duehning earned District Pitcher of the Year and All-Region utility pitcher. She was also named a first alternate for All-State Pitcher.