photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence's Gavin Hayes, front left, Cami Nauholz, back left, Hudson Hardesty, back right, and Emerson Sloop sign with their colleges during a signing day ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, in Lawrence.

Four Lions put pen to paper on their college commitments on Wednesday, securing the next stage of their athletic careers.

Gavin Hayes, Emerson Sloop, Hudson Hardesty and Cami Nauholz made their commitments in ink among a crowd of family, friends, coaches and teammates at the Lawrence High gymnasium.

Hayes, a forward on the Lawrence boys soccer team, signed with Kansas City Kansas Community College. Hayes has had an eye on the Blue Devils since his freshman year, so when the school reached out before the high school season, he knew KCKCC was where he was going to end up.

“It’s a big weight off my shoulders,” Hayes said. “It’s really stressful going through the recruiting process. I’m glad I’m able to find a good place where I wanted to go.”

The Blue Devils only recruit captains, which Hayes was at Lawrence High. Leadership is a big part of his game, whether it be vocally or in his play by stepping up and playing different positions on the pitch. That willingness to play anywhere to help the team made him a versatile player, which was a major selling point for KCKCC.

“They like my finishing, they really like my passing and my footwork,” Hayes said. “They really like how I was a big 10 and nine.”

The Blue Devils are a winning team, which was an important draw for Hayes as well. He wants to help his team win games. For him to do so, he’s focused on getting physically ready for the next level.

“College soccer is very, very physical,” Hayes said. “That’s really my main focus going in.”

Sloop will be joining Hayes at KCKCC. The goalie for Lawrence girls soccer committed to the Blue Devils, making sure she gets to continue her playing career.

“It’s something that I wasn’t sure was going to happen or not,” Sloop said. “I knew I would always continue soccer, whether it was going to be as a referee or a player, but it’s exciting knowing what the next chapter of your life is.”

Joining KCKCC gives Sloop some flexibility. It gives her time to figure out what she wants to major in, whether she wants to play for a four-year university or if she wants to focus more on her refereeing career. She has some flexibility while continuing to play the sport she loves.

When it came to KCKCC, Sloop first got in touch with the coaching staff at an ID camp. Sloop has always made it a point to stand out in those situations as a soccer player and a teammate, and she did enough to get noticed by the Blue Devils’ coaching staff.

“We ended up setting up a visit, and the same visit we ended up making a plan, getting an offer, and a few weeks later, I responded with, ‘Hell yeah,'” Sloop said.

Sloop will continue her playing career at KCKCC, but that isn’t going to stop her refereeing career. She’ll work on getting into the college chapter when she turns 18, so Sloop can referee junior college and NCAA games. If there’s one certainty for Sloop is that she’s going to be around soccer as much as she possibly can over the next few years.

“Sports has been a huge thing my entire life,” Sloop said. “Being able to continue it at this point is amazing. That takes up 70% of my life as it is. Continuing that schedule, the training, next game, next practice and knowing what the next step is is nice.”

Hardesty signed with Nebraska after making his commitment to the Cornhuskers’ baseball program this summer. Since then, Hardesty has only felt more secure in his decision.

“I love the coaches,” Hardesty said. “They’re the best people. When I got to go back, it was just the greatest place. I couldn’t be more excited for what’s in my future.”

Hardesty has a lot of ties to Lawrence High as a multigenerational Lion. Getting to make his college decision final in front of his family where he and his family have built a legacy meant a lot.

“It’s really exciting,” Hardesty said. “My whole family has been here, they’ve all been able to build a legacy, and I was able to do that myself. It’s really cool that I get to follow after all my great family members.”

Athletics runs in his family, but what separates Hardesty is his work ethic. His talent is obvious, but Hardesty developed a passion for the process that has carried him to a scholarship to Nebraska baseball.

“I love everything it takes,” Hardesty said. “That’s why I got to where I am because I like to do it. It’s not just something I have to do.”

Nauholz signed with North Dakota State, where she will play center for the women’s basketball team. She’s also spent the last few months feeling more and more secure in her decision.

“I feel more sure that I picked the right place,” Nauholz said. “Getting to watch where I’m going to go play on TV is really cool, and I’m just excited for the future.”

Nauholz had a number of teammates and coaches with her family at the signing day ceremony, showcasing the support system she’ll have even when she’s living in Fargo.

“It means a lot to me,” Nauholz said. “They’re all so very important to me, and to feel that support and know that a lot of them have helped me get to where I am is very big.”

Nauholz still has the high school basketball season ahead of her, but she’s trying to not think too much about it being her final time on the court with her friends and is instead focusing on enjoying each game one at a time.

“The biggest part is just to have fun and enjoy my last year,” Nauholz said. “It goes by so quickly, but this one is going to be special.”

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Cami Nauholz dribbles in the paint in the substate championship at Olathe South on Friday, March 6, 2026, in Olathe.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence pitcher Hudson Hardesty throws in a 6-2 loss to Rockhurst on Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Emerson Sloop kicks the ball in a 6-0 win over Topeka on Friday, March 27, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior Gavin Hayes turns around in a 2-1 win over Shawnee Mission Northwest on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Lawrence.