By Ray Hamill — St. Bernard’s senior Laila Florvilus made it official on Thursday evening, signing her letter of intent to compete for Chico State after graduation.

After announcing her commitment last month, the multi-sport standout signed the letter in front of a gathering of friends, family, teammates and coaches at St. Bernard’s on Thursday.

Florvilus will compete in both basketball and track and field for the Wildcats.

Her basketball head coach Matt Tomlin described Florvilus as someone “that has made this school a better place with everything she has done here as a student and an athlete.”

Florvilus enjoyed plenty of success during her time playing for the Crusaders, including leading the team to state championship in basketball as a junior, which was a first ever for the H-DNL.

She was also named CalHiSports Division-4 State Player of the Year as a junior.

As a senior, she led the Crusaders to a first-ever Dick Niclai Tournament championship and she would close out her career with 1,903 points.

“What a special run that nobody will ever forget to the state championship,” said Tomlin, who added of the CalHiSports award, “I don’t know if that will ever happen again … what a special accomplishment.

“Taking a school of 190 students to a top-100 ranking in the state of California, just remarkable what she accomplished.”

Florvilus also was one of the top H-DNL track and field athletes over the past two years and was a double winner at last weekend’s NCS Class A meet, placing first in the girls high jump and the 100 meter hurdles.

Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – Laila Florvilus and her teammates at Thursday’s letter signing.

“We’re excited for her,” Tomlin said. “It’s her special day.”

Florvilus also spoke to the gathering and thanked several people for helping her on her journey.

“This is a moment I’ve been working toward for a long time and I’m so grateful to be sharing it with all of you,” she said. 

“There are so many people I want to thank who have helped me get to this point … I value each one of you who have contributed to my journey.”

The senior thanked all of her coaches — Tomlin, and track coaches Rikki Larsen Cortopassi and DJ Snowton — as well as her track trainer Rod Kausen and her basketball trainer Meridee Paye.

“Coach Tomlin, thank you for your guidance, your belief in me, and for shaping me into a smarter, tougher player, and for always having my back,” she said. “Winning a state championship with you is something I’ll never forget and I’ll carry that experience with me forever.”

“To my track coaches, Rikki and DJ, thank you for constantly pushing me to dig deeper and giving me the tools to compete at a high level. Your support means everything.”

She also recognized her family.

“To my parents and grandparents, none of this would have been possible without out,” she said. “Your support means everything to me.”

Florvilus closed out by telling the gathering how competing in sports has helped her as a person.

“This road hasn’t always been easy,” she said. “There are days when balancing two sports, school and life felt impossible, but those moments made me stronger and taught me how to fight for what I love.”