Byrd stays home to be a Falcon

Brent Byrd left no mistake about his allegiance Wednesday morning when he strolled into Harrison High School wearing an Air Force Falcons football T-shirt. Blue and white balloons floated throughout the room and a cake signifying the occasion was ready for cutting.

Byrd signed a nonbinding agreement to the Air Force Academy prep school, where he will become a member of the football team.

"If they're going to show me some interest, I'm going to show them some interest," said Byrd.

He is aware of the rigors of military life. His father, Jeff Byrd, has been a member of the Air Force for 21 years, and his grandfather served in the Army.

Byrd rushed for 1,580 yards and scored 20 touchdowns last season. He is the starting point guard on the school's basketball team and the defending Class 4A state champion in the triple jump.

Across town, Shaun DeWitty took part in a similar party at Doherty, where he signed to play football at Arizona State.

"I didn't want to do all this, but (Doherty) coach (Mike) Sirko said we needed to," the soft-spoken DeWitty said. "I just wanted to sign my letter (of intent) and move on."

DeWitty, who rushed for more than 2,200 yards and 38 touchdowns last season, said he plans on going to Tempe, Ariz., and participate in summer workouts with members of the Arizona State team. Formal practices do not begin until July.

At Air Academy, Sam Zimmerer signed his letter of intent to play football at Colorado.

"CU has been watching me since I was a freshman, and I got my first letter when I was a sophomore," Zimmerer said. "It's been a long process and I'm very happy. It's a dream I've had since I was little."

Zimmerer said Colorado coach Gary Barnett told him he probably will be used as a defensive end. Zimmerer wasn't bothered by the recruiting scandal and negative publicity surrounding the CU football program over the past year.

"I'm really not concerned with it," Zimmerer said. "I sat down with the coaches and players and they're really good people."

Across the freeway at Pine Creek, Sarah Wagenfuhr signed her letter of intent to play soccer for Florida State.

"It felt like a good fit," said Wagenfuhr, who also took official visits to Arizona State, Clemson and St. Mary's. "I could see myself getting better (at Florida State). I always wanted to win a national title, and it's a good place to challenge myself to get better."

Florida State went 12-5-3 last season.

Wagenfuhr said she is driven to have a better collegiate and professional career than her brother David Wagenfuhr, who played in two Final Fours for Creighton and was drafted by the Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas) in the 2004 Major League Soccer draft.

"I always wanted to do better than him," Wagenfuhr said. "He's been my role model since I was little. I want to get awards he didn't get, like All-American. I want to make the national team."

Wagenfuhr plans to forgo her spring season at Pine Creek in favor of playing on a boys' club soccer team in Denver.

Lewis's Laine Hubbard signed her letter of intent to play soccer for Wyoming. Hubbard led Lewis-Palmer in goals last season with 16 and is a three-year starter.

"I chose Wyoming because it was close to home," Hubbard said. "And I really like the program and the coach (Anne Moore)."

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MORE ON PAGE 9 Air Force recruits sign a nonbinding agreement -- then wait for their government-sanctioned appointment into the academy.

Colorado overcomes recruiting scandals and restrictions to sign the state's top player.

Complete list of CU, Northern Colorado and Mountain West Conference signings.

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