Charlotte Latin School celebrated the collegiate athletic commitments of seven student-athletes on February 4, 2026, representing soccer, basketball, volleyball, golf, football, and baseball. Family, friends, coaches, teachers, and other supporters gathered in the Belk Gym to honor their accomplishments. CLS Athletics holds three collegiate athletic commitment recognition events during the school year, and recognized twelve student-athletes on the November national signing day. The third event will be held in late April. Charlotte Latin has averaged 16.5 commitments per year since 2008, or roughly 12% of the senior class. Read on to find out more about each of our February honorees and the journey that led them to their respective colleges. 

 

Sunny Jin - Case Western Reserve University Women's Soccer The combination of paternal influence and the company of a good friend led Sunny to soccer at just six years old, and a positive experience at a soccer summer camp sealed the deal. Relationships started her on the journey, but have also become her favorite part of it. Additionally, Sunny has grown to appreciate the challenge of working hard to continually improve, while recognizing that the skills she's developed are valuable in life beyond the field.   As a member of the varsity team since her freshman year, Sunny was initially quiet and reserved, but her versatility and skill on the ball were evident. Known by her teammates as "Sunshine," she has also built a reputation as a mischievous prankster – particularly on our annual beach trip. From decorating the team's bedrooms and living spaces in toilet paper, to bombarding the coaching staff with water balloons, Sunny's playful side off the field is as memorable as her fierceness in competition.   When Sunny began her college search, relationships were once again at the core of her decision-making. With the encouragement of her coaches, and ongoing support of her parents, she was drawn to return to the city of her birth in Cleveland, Ohio, where her parents worked in cancer research at a university within walking distance of three hospitals. Their experience influenced her decision to follow in their footsteps, somewhat literally, where she plans to major in biology while continuing to compete in soccer as a Spartan at Case Western Reserve University.   Congratulations Sunny!

 

Claire Zhang - MIT Women's Soccer Although she was originally a gymnast, Claire's dad proclaimed that he couldn't stand the smell of the gym anymore and decided she should join the local soccer club where her older brother was playing. The fresh air wasn't the only benefit – now the three of them could practice and play together. Claire recalls nightly driveway soccer sessions as some of her best childhood memories. Since then, she's developed her closest friends through soccer, and feels the sport has given her resilience, a growth mindset, and confidence.   Claire's hard work, dedication and attention to detail are as evident in her performance on the field as they are in the classroom. As a freshman, Claire scored the game-winning goal in the state championship against Providence Day and returned to the Latin campus to enjoy a few precious moments of celebration with her teammates. Just an hour later, she was back to business, waiting anxiously for her ride home so she could continue studying for exams. Witnessing her commitment and focus, in all aspects of life, is inspiring.   Claire hoped to find a competitive, close-knit soccer program at a school that aligned with her goals for achieving a career in medicine. In her first call with a college coach, Claire was introduced to a philosophy that encourages high-level pursuits in both academics and athletics, offers a collaborative approach to learning, and provides clinical opportunities with nearby hospitals. With the added benefit of being near her brother again, Claire is heading to MIT where she'll compete for the Engineers while charting her path in the medical field. Congratulations Claire!

 

Kelsey Sciacca - Washington and Lee University Women's Golf Competitions began at age ten, but Kelsey says she's been playing golf with her family for as long as she can remember. The sport has given her a special community of friends and opponents from all over the world. She's learned to love the grind and appreciates that hard work is generally rewarded with improvement.   Kelsey has been competing as a varsity Hawk since she was in Middle School. She has been the one constant in a program that had some lean years in terms of participation, always winning with grace or playing with composure when she wasn't having her best day. As a freshman, she won the conference tournament and was the only CLS player to qualify for states, where she played alone. As a senior, she drained a 67-yard shot from the fairway for an eagle that forced a playoff, and ultimately led to the program's first state title – ever – which she celebrated with her team surrounding her.   Wanting to replicate that feeling of team unity beyond Latin, Kelsey was looking for school with a close-knit community and a strong culture in the golf program, where she could also fully commit to her academic goals. She credits her parents for fostering her love for the sport, thanks her personal coach for continually pushing her to improve, and is grateful for her Latin teammates and coaches for such a memorable senior season. Kelsey plans to major in finance as she continues to compete in golf at Washington and Lee University.   Congratulations Kelsey!

 

Charlotte Tune - Washington and Lee University Women's Basketball Watching a basketball game on TV was enough to spark Charlotte's interest in the sport when she was just six years old. She's been playing ever since, learning life lessons about dedication, teamwork, and resilience while developing lifelong friendships. While basketball is her primary focus, Charlotte's natural athletic ability combined with her competitive drive and work ethic have contributed to success across multiple sports.   On and off the court, Charlotte's kind nature and ability to boost team morale help foster a tight knit bond with her teammates. In competition, her composure is an asset that she uses to keep the team organized, provide direction, and maintain unity. She is a three-time All-Conference player, a two-time All-State honoree, and surpassed the 1,000 point milestone in January 2025. Currently averaging more than 13 points per game, Charlotte will be missed both for her productivity and her personality.   When evaluating her college options, Charlotte wanted to be able to compete at a high level, but also be able to focus on her classes. She discussed her options with Mary Schleusener, Latin class of 2022 and current senior at W&L, who raved about her experience in Lexington. Charlotte also found an easy connection with and strong support from the Generals' head coach. After years of encouragement from her parents, sisters, and grandparents, Charlotte is confident in taking the next step in her journey. She'll be moving to Virginia and joining Kelsey at Washington and Lee next year.     Congratulations Charlotte!

 

Emily Cao - Williams College Volleyball Volleyball played a pivotal role in Emily's life before she was even born, because her parents met while playing the game at Cornell. But it wasn't until the fifth grade volleyball tournament in P.E. that her personal interest was piqued. Several years and teams later, Emily says volleyball has connected her with friends around the world while instilling crucial life skills. In her role as a setter, she enjoys the blend of strategic thinking, technical discipline, and rhythm.   As a four-year varsity player for the Hawks, Emily accumulated 979 assists this season to bring her career total to 1,744 and rank her third among all players in North Carolina. She also led the conference in aces with 152 this year. Beyond her contributions as a player, Emily's quiet confidence and readiness to help younger players master a skill or understand the game at a higher level have elevated the entire team's performance.   Emily's college criteria included the ability to double major in math and philosophy while continuing to play volleyball at a high level. She found what she was looking for in a small liberal arts school in Massachusetts, where the coaches and team welcomed her warmly, and a two-week summer program in number theory solidified her decision. With gratitude to her parents being her biggest supporters, and appreciation for all of her coaches, teachers, teammates and friends, Emily will continue her volleyball career and her education at Williams College next year. Congratulations Emily!

 

Jaden Hawa - William Peace University Baseball His baseball journey began at just five years of age, when his older sister's enjoyment of sports inspired his parents to get him involved too. Jaden enjoys the steady rhythm of the game, both in the field and at the plate, and he finds fulfillment in the work required to develop skills. His favorite moments are in the pre- and post-game conversations and meals with his friends. Jaden also really likes to win.   His role with the Hawks has varied as Jaden readily takes on whatever position the team needs at the time, from infielder and catcher in middle school, to outfielder when he first played on the varsity team, and back to infield as a key contributor in last year's 18-6 season. Jaden's tremendous growth as a players is a testament to his incredible work ethic, resulting in a team-high seven doubles last season, with a .313 batting average, 20 runs and 11 RBIs.   Jaden appreciates his parents' unwavering support and the countless hours spent driving to games and cheering. He credits his older sister, Talia, with setting a strong example for him to follow, and thanks his brother, Jonah, for practicing with him and going along on post-practice food runs. Teammate Griffin Donnelly also gets kudos, for pushing Jaden to be his best since tee-ball. While Jaden is still contemplating his area of study, he felt drawn to a small campus with high quality facilities that reminded him of Latin, welcoming coaches and players, and the professional look and feel of the turf field at William Peace University in Raleigh.   Congratulations Jaden!

   

Matthew Flynn - Hampden-Sydney College Football Although he longed to play football at an early age, Matthew first put on pads in seventh grade at Latin, because his parents would not let him play before then. Since then, he has taken full advantage of every level of Latin football. For Matthew, it's the physical competition, the mental challenge of understanding and beating your opponent, and being part of a close team that make football fulfilling.   Once Matthew made up his mind that he wanted to play college football, he became a man on a mission. He poured himself into work in the weight room, proper nutrition, film study, practices, and game prep, gradually developing the habits required to achieve his goal. He leads the Hawks by example, and was a tremendous asset on both sides of the ball this season, with the added bonus of pitching in as a kicker, when needed.   His connection with former teammates led him to check out a small school in southern Virginia known for its brotherhood as an all-male institution. After visiting, he felt he'd found his future home with great educational opportunities, a strong connection with the football coaches, and a tremendous reputation. Matthew says his coaches and teammates at Latin, and his family, were all instrumental in helping him envision a goal, work to achieve it, and land in a great place for continuing his football career at Hampden-Sydney College.   Congratulations Matthew!

       
Special thanks to St John Photography for the event images!