Lynden trio sign letters; Wittenberg to play baseball at Seattle U

Lynden standout athlete Jordan Wittenberg watched professional and college baseball on TV while growing up and knew eventually he wanted to be one of those players.

The senior three-sport talent took a step toward that dream when he signed his national letter of intent during the early-signing period to play for Division I Seattle University on Thursday, Nov. 12, during a signing ceremony at Lynden High School.

Joining him was standout quarterback and basketball player Sterling Somers and golf star Ezra Arneson. Somers signed to play basketball for Seattle Pacific University, while Arenson made his commitment with Western Washington University men’s golf official.

“It was really a great time,” Wittenberg said in a phone interview, “my family being there and doing it at my school made it really special to me. Everyone who has supported me, my family and coaches, the amount of time everyone has put in to help me, I can’t thank everyone enough.”

Wittenberg’s commitment was Whatcom County’s second Division I baseball signing in as many days with Bellingham’s Austin Shenton signing with the University of Washington on Wednesday.

Wittenberg said Seattle U coaches came to one of his summer baseball games, contacted him after and he stayed in touch with them ever since. Wittenberg and his dad then visited Seattle’s campus and the rest is history.

“We went into the coaches room, and they laid out a scholarship,” Wittenberg said. “I received that and it kind of hit me how I could be going there and playing ball. They were so welcoming and really nice. It reminded me a lot of Lynden, and I’m kind of a hometown boy.”

Seattle University is coming off a 31-win season in which the Redhawks earned their first postseason wins in program history.

Wittenberg expects he’ll play shortstop, and with Seattle’s current shortstop graduating soon, he hopes hard work will allow him to contribute sooner than later.

Wittenberg said he’s interested in studying either criminal justice or creative writing.

Somers won’t be too far from his high school running mate at Seattle Pacific University. The 6-foot-5 senior guard/forward averaged 17.6 points per game last season and joins a strong Falcons program.

“Well, I had offers from Central and SPU and met with everyone there, and they were all great people,” Somers said in a phone interview. “The program is really good, and I felt like it was the right fit for me.”

Somers received interest while playing for his Subway Select AAU team during the summer, and SPU offered him a scholarship in July. Somers said he’s interested in studying business at SPU.

Arneson, who finished fifth during last year’s Class 2A State Championships, ensured he’ll be staying in the county with his commitment to Western.

Arneson finished with a 70.6 stroke average last spring, which ranked second in the Northwest Conference.

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 5:28 PM with the headline "Lynden trio sign letters; Wittenberg to play baseball at Seattle U."