Western Nebraska Community College sophomore Jayden Holman had his dream came true in playing Division I baseball after signing with the University of Northern Colorado Tuesday evening.

                "I have always wanted to play Division I baseball," Holman, the Alliance High graduate, said. "It is nice to be able to move on and play."

                Holman, the starting shortstop for the Cougars last season, said when he took the visit to UNC he was sold on the program not only because of its atmosphere, but also because it is close to home since his parents moved to Sterling, Colorado.

                "I am going to the University of Northern Colorado to play baseball and I will be studying exercise science," he said. "It is close to home and it is in-state tuition. UNC was the first school I was looking at and then when I went for a visit, I liked it. It felt like home."

                Last season, UNC went 16-21, falling to North Dakota and Sacramento State in the WAC tournament. The Bears' 2016 roster has 16 junior college players on the roster, including two from Region IX in McCook's Chase Cleary and Lamar's Alex Werbach.

                Holman said UNC coach Carl Iwasaki recruits players that he needs, but Holman said he will have to continue to work hard.

                "He picks up players that they need," he said. "I think I will play right away. We will have to wait and see."

                Holman, who batted .269 with 40 singles, 27 runs scored and 18 RBIs last season, said that he became a much better player under head coach Mike Jones.

                "I have grown so much," he said. "Coach Jones has helped me so much that I can't thank him enough."

                Now, with his college signing out of the way, Holman can concentrate on this season, which he said they should have a good season.

                "I think it will be a great year," Holman said. "Things during the fall looked really good so I think it will be a good year."

                The hard part for Holman will be saying goodbye to his teammates, coaches, and friends after this season. That is the one thing he loved about WNCC is the friendships he has made.

                "I am going to miss Coach Jones a lot," he said. "I am going to miss hanging out with my buddies. I am going to just miss everyone."