By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
DE PERE – A De Pere High School senior, Sophia Fabry, signed her National Letter of Intent (NLI) April 29 to continue her academic/athletic career at the collegiate level.
Sophia, the daughter of Ryan and Tracy Fabry, will be participating in track and field at the University of St. Thomas, an NCAA Division I school in St. Paul, Minnesota.
“My family and I fell in love with the campus when we visited,” Fabry said. “I’m a religious person, so that background of the university interested me as well. I like the coaches, and I felt comfortable there.”
Fabry recorded a personal best of 33 feet, 10 1/2 inches in the triple jump this year.
As a freshman, she qualified for the WIAA sectional meet in the event.
As a junior, she placed third in the 1,600-meter relay and sixth in the 400 relay at the Fox River Classic Conference meet.
“The De Pere track program is proud we have another athlete signing a scholarship to compete at the next level,” De Pere Head Coach James Boyd said. “Sophia has played a key role in the success of the program over the past four years. Her contributions are well documented, but her commitment and leadership have been second to none. St. Thomas is getting an outstanding athlete.”
After signing her NLI, Fabry spoke to those in attendance.
“There are lots of people who deserve credit,” she said. “I thank God for keeping me healthy during all my track seasons. I’d like to thank my mom and dad for always encouraging me and pushing me and my sister (Olivia), who has always been one step ahead of me – motivating me and teaching me valuable lessons. I also want to thank my teammates, coaches and trainers at Synergy (Sports Performance). I’m excited for the next four years.”
Sophia’s older sister Olivia is a 2019 De Pere graduate and currently pole vaulting at the University of Notre Dame, a Division I school in South Bend, Indiana.