By Ray Hamill — The Crusaders are winning on and off the field of competition.

One of the most successful schools in H-DNL sports held a letter signing ceremony on Thursday for seven of its seniors who have committed their athletic futures to various colleges teams, including four who will play at College of the Redwoods.

A large crowd of teammates, friends, family and coaches attended the ceremony at St. Bernard’s to celebrate the seven standouts, who include three football players, three basketball players and a softball player.

Seth Dyer announced he will play basketball for Bard College in New York, while Aaiden Burris will play basketball for Chabot College and Rowan Cromwell will play basketball at CR.

Also joining the Corsairs, Kiara McGinnis will play softball for the local community college, while Kyler Smith and Ulysses Bailey will both play football at CR.

And rounding out the contingent of St. Bernard’s college-bound athletes, Wyatt Simoni will play football at Shasta College.

“What a remarkable senior year it’s been for this group up here,” Crusaders AD and football head coach Matt Tomlin told the gathering. “Such great accomplishments and just stuff that made the entire St. Bernard’s community so proud of everything they’ve accomplished, whether it’s been athletically, in the classroom, in the community … amazing young adults up here tonight and we’re all so proud of them.”

Six of the seven were in attendance and spoke to the crowd, all of whom thanked their families, coaches and the school for helping them on their journey.

While six of the seven will remain in California, Dyer is taking his talents almost 3,000 miles away to NCAA Division-III Bard College in New York.

“I have some pretty close family in New York,” said the SB senior, who has visited the area regularly and caught the eyes of the Bard coaches while attending a camp on the East Coast last summer. “And I really like the area.”

St. Bernard’s boys basketball coach Issac Gildea described Dyer as a “left-handed robot that’s been playing basketball forever.”

Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com

The coach also praised his hard work, dedication, passion and love for the game

“Fantastic basketball player, a fantastic student and a beautiful person,” Gildea said of this year’s Little 4 co-MVP. “Any college would be lucky to have this young man.”

Gildea also spoke highly of Cromwell and Burris, the latter of whom was also co-MVP of the L4 this year.

“This kid can shoot it, he got bounce, he can do a lot of different things,” the coach said of Burris. “One of the things I’m most proud of Aaiden is his character development throughout these years and going through this school.”

Burris also thanked his “wonderful teammates.”

Cromwell, meanwhile, played just one year at St. Bernard’s, but had an immediate impact and helped lead the team to a first conference championship since 2020.

“What a great opportunity to be able to coach a great young man and a great basketball player,” Gildea said of the outgoing senior. “Had a strong season this year and I’m just really excited to see what he can do (in college).

“College of the Redwoods is really lucky.”

Cromwell also thanked the school for welcoming him this year.

“I’d like to thank St. Bernard’s as a family as a whole, all the staff, the community, everybody, for supporting me, encouraging me,” he said. “I’ve had a great time. I’m glad I got accepted in here with open arms.”

Bailey, Smith and Simoni, meanwhile, all played a huge role for the Crusaders in football and led them to a first ever Big 4 championship this past fall.

“This is a kid who is just absolutely committed to his team,” Tomlin said of Bailey. “He was a warrior on the field playing defensive end for us, just a physical guy.

“We couldn’t be more proud of Ulysses. And really looking forward to watching what he does in college.”

Smith has already got a head start on his college career after spending the spring practicing with the Corsairs and catching the eyes of the coaches there.

Tomlin said Smith is “doing tremendous stuff,” and that he’s heard great feedback from the CR coaches.

“He was a warrior for us on the offensive line and defensive line,” Tomlin said of the all-league selection. “One of the toughest kids I’ve ever coached. Super proud of him.”

Simoni will take his talents to Shasta, where he will play running back.

“Wyatt had one of the best high school careers we’ve seen in H-DN history,” Tomlin said of the Big 4 Offensive MVP. “Amazing whether he was playing offense or defense.”

“It was an honor to be able to coach him.”

McGinnis, who was not in attendance, will become the latest in a long list of local players to play softball for the Corsairs.

The senior standout has been one of the Crusaders’ most consistent players this spring, both at the plate and at first base, and she played a huge role in helping to lead her team to a first conference championship in eight years.