The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Former Jackrabbits Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
Signing days are always special at Long Beach Poly, even on a Wednesday in November.
Poly athletic director Rob Shock calls them his favorite days of the year, and the Jackrabbits hosted an early signing ceremony for nine student-athletes who made their college commitments official. Wednesday marked the first day of the initial signing period for most NCAA sports, with the school’s larger Signing Day celebration scheduled for February.
“It’s one of the most special days because it’s a celebration of the culmination of everything we ask for,” Shock said to open the celebration. “Go get your degrees and come back here to talk to the kids after. Tell them the wisdom you’ve learned as you go off to college and find out what it takes to be successful academically, athletically and socially as you move on to the next level.”
Among the athletes honored at the signing day was softball star Ki’ele Ho-Ching, who finally put pen to paper with the University of Oklahoma. Ho-Ching, the nation’s top-ranked player in her class, recently captured a gold medal with the U-18 Team USA softball team and made her commitment to Oklahoma more than a year ago.
“I’m so blessed and I have such a great support system,” said Ho-Ching, who had a few dozen family members in attendance. “I feel like they have my back no matter what I do and I know that they support me. Obviously I have a big family and I know even when I’m far away I’ll have them supporting me.”
Ho-Ching continues a strong family lineage of talented Poly athletes, including her uncle, former Poly and Oregon running back Herman Ho-Ching, and her father, Daniel Ho-Ching, who played football at Poly and Hawaii. She’s also following in the footsteps of her sister, who’s entering her second softball season at Arizona State.
“Honestly, it’s just carrying on their legacy, especially here at Poly,” she said. Ho-Ching was recently injured during the flag football season and will be sidelined for her senior year of softball. “Not only with flag football, but with softball, even though my season is cut short, I know that I’ve left my mark here. It’s nice knowing I’ve done my part, and I’ll continue to do my part as I move to the next level.”
Ho-Ching had four teammates alongside her who also signed to continue their softball careers. Emoni Lam Sam signed with UC Berkeley, Persjialinah Lam Sam signed with Cal State San Bernardino, Janelle Morris signed with Southern University, and Alayna Veavealagi signed with Mississippi Valley State.
The five athletes are all coming off their CIF-SS Division 4 softball championship, the first in program history. That title run was led by Poly coach Elizabeth Sanches, who says she’s prouder of her signees for their success in life than for anything they’ve accomplished on the field.
“Softball is a game, but life is more important for these girls,” Sanches said. “Their athletic careers are finite, but their education is forever. I’m proud of what they’ve accomplished on the field, but even more proud that they’re able to go get debt free college—that’s the goal. We protect their peace at all costs. This is about life, not softball.”
Signing Day also featured athletes from four other sports, including 6-foot-8 Poly basketball star Jonas Oware, who signed to Yale after announcing his commitment last month.
For infielder Tate Hammond, Signing Day was an opportunity to take some stress off his shoulders ahead of his senior campaign on the diamond. Hammond signed with UCLA to continue his baseball career.
“It feels good to get it out of the way and know that I’m officialling going to UCLA,” Hammond said. “And it’s nice to do it in front of my family. They’re everything. Without them I wouldn’t be here.”
Poly swimmer Lucas Jue was also celebrated for signing with the University of Louisville. Jue is coming off a standout junior season that included a record-setting performance at the Klaus Barth Invitational, where he broke school records in the 100 backstroke and 500 freestyle.
Avery Peck represented the Jackrabbits’ cross country team, signing with Williams College. The three-time All-Moore League senior is currently gearing up for the CIF cross country prelims at Mt. SAC next week.
