Molly Graham is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Seton Catholic Preparatory for AZPreps365.com.

In the world of sports, trades, contracts and commitments tend to be one of the hottest topics. While following the money behind building teams is important, a lot goes into decision making on the players’ end, too. 

This is especially true for high school athletes who are saying goodbye to a big chunk of their childhoods. Seton Catholic Preparatory currently has 12 student athlete college commits who are graduating this year.

Seton’s varsity softball team in particular has two college commits who are savoring the last of their senior year as team captains. One of them is pitcher Brooke Zuluaga who committed to Miami University for softball as a junior in October 2024. 

Zuluaga visited Miami in January and met her teammates, coaches and future roommate in the softball house. Zuluaga said the team welcomed her immediately, including the coaches that will be Zuluaga’s first ever all-female coaching staff.

Zuluaga said part of her decision to go to Miami was because of how much her future teammates enjoyed playing there. “They told me they just felt more recognized, and actually treated well for the person they are, not just the athlete,” Zuluaga said. 

“I had other visits scheduled, but I canceled them while I was on my visit at Miami ‘cause I loved it so much,” Zuluaga said. 

Zuluaga’s old teammate Sierra Daniel currently ranks second at Louisiana State University in runs, hits and RBIs. Daniel served as a mentor for Zuluaga before she committed to the Redhawks. 

As a college commit herself, Daniel helped Zuluaga send emails and attend camps, Zuluaga said. “I definitely bugged her with a lot of questions,” Zuluaga said. 

Before committing to Miami, Zuluaga attended 33 college camps in three years, all of which were out of state. Zuluaga said Miami saw her in 16U and followed her since.

A year and a half after committing, Zuluaga said her senior year schedule has been more relaxed, giving her plenty of time to enjoy her final season with Seton. “Knowing I have five Mondays left after this is crazy,” Zuluaga said. 

Seton’s catcher and senior captain Abbey Cota committed to Scottsdale Community College. Cota said it’s been her dream to play softball at the collegiate level since she was young. 

Cota said that while her team isn’t Division I, she’s achieving her dream. “And, I mean, if God has a different plan for me and I end up going to a higher level, I don’t think I would have been mad at that.” Cota said. 

However, Cota’s decision to play for a community college was based around her second dream: attending nursing school.

Cota said that Scottsdale was one of the few colleges that allowed student athletes to major in nursing. “And, like I said, if it comes to the point where career and softball have to take one over the other, priority over the other, I’m willing to face that because I got to say I at least got to some part of my dream, you know?” Cota said.

Cota said she’s excited for a new chapter, but she will miss the safety of Seton. “I don’t want to leave,” Cota said.

“That’s what I’ve been having a rough time with, is knowing it’s almost over,” Cota said. “Having to let go.” 

For now, Cota and Zuluaga remain present with their team that currently holds a 14-1 record.  Combined, the two players have 44 hits and 33 RBIs this season. 

Freshman third baseman Brooklyn Hess said she looks up to Cota and Zuluaga, as well as her third captain Scarlett Olivares.

“Brooke is such an amazing, religious, caring person,” Hess said. “Abbey, the same thing, makes everyone feel so welcome, and Scarlett is just the energy of the whole team.”

After senior night, Monday, April 27, Seton qualified for state ending the season with a 15-3 record. The state tournament brackets and final rankins will be released on April 30 at 3:30 p.m. according to AZPreps365.com.