Five scholar-athletes from Pope Saint John Paul II Preparatory School class of 2025 recently committed to continue their sports at the collegiate level. On November 14, 2024, the JPII high school community, parents, and guests gathered for an athletic signing ceremony to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of the five athletes as their coaches detailed the ways the scholar-athletes lived out the JPII mission through their strength of mind, body, character, and spirit. 

Swimmer Blake Amlicke will continue his career at University of Virginia. During Blake’s time on the JPII swim team, he broke three school records on relay teams and holds four individual school records. He qualified and competed in the 2024 Olympic Trials, where he finished as the fastest 18U backstroker in the country, earning his spot on the United States Junior National Team. He also competed at the Pan-Pacific Games during his senior year, returning to JPII as an international silver medalist. Blake has also earned the distinction of being an Academic All-American. 

Will Arbuckle will play football as a kicker at Maryville College. Over the last three seasons as a starter on the JPII football team, Will made 94 out of 102 extra points and 14 out of 18 field goal attempts, averaging 78% made attempts, with a total of 136 points scored. He had a punting average of over 35 yards and accomplished three tackles and seven successful surprise onside kicks. During his junior year, Will was named a 2nd Team All-Region player. 

Blane Borum picked up golf only three years ago, and in that time, his game improved enough to secure a spot on the Christian Brothers University golf team. Blane recently broke the JPII men’s golf team record, shooting 67. He had two runner-up tournament finishes this season. 

Ansley Rice signed to continue her soccer career at Western Kentucky University. As a four-year varsity starter, Ansley captained the team for the past two seasons, played 52 games, and contributed 15 goals and 36 assists, helping her team achieve 33 wins. She was a four-time All-County player and a three-time All-Region player.

After an impressive 2024 spring season, Nate Webb will continue his baseball career at Belmont University. As a junior, Nate ended his JPII baseball season with a .326 average, including ten second-base hits, 20 EBHs, 23 RBIs, and nine home runs, tying for third in the state for home runs during the season. Making the adjustment from first base to outfield, Nate ended his junior season with zero errors. 

Interim JPII Athletic Director David Uyl stated, “JPII could not be prouder to celebrate the five student-athletes that committed today to play at the collegiate level. We commend the years of hard work and dedication they have given to their respective sports. We will be cheering them on as they use their God-given talents to not only be excellent athletes, but amazing young people in the next chapter of their lives.”