Encinal High School (EHS) hosted a signing-day ceremony to celebrate two student-athletes earning full-ride athletic scholarships to four-year universities last Wednesday, Feb. 1

Akil Francisco and Lily Wilmot were lauded at the ceremony outside the Encinal High media center Wednesday afternoon. Francisco is a football player who signed to be a student-athlete for University of Hawaii. Wilmot is a softball player who will attend Miami University of Ohio. The seniors were accompanied by family, friends, classmates and school officials. 

Encinal athletic director Kevin Gorham opened the event by describing the many feats of the two student-athletes. He offered words of inspiration. Then, both athletes signed their official letter of intents forms, while on-lookers snapped photos.  

Francisco is a three-year varsity letter winner in football and track and field. He received honorable mention all-Bay Area and honorable mention all-Metro as a senior in 2016. 

He helped the Jets earn the West Alameda County Conference (WACC) Shoreline League title. The Jets finished with a 9-3 overall record. 

He finished the season with 28 tackles, six interceptions, 15 pass breakups and scored two touchdowns (one defensive, one on special teams). He chose University of Hawaii over Wyoming and Sacramento State. 

The Rainbow Warriors compete in the Mountain West Conference with San Jose State University and Fresno State University.

Wilmot is also a two-sport athlete. While showing her prowess in softball, she is also a member of the Encinal soccer team. But the diamond is where she will perform next spring. 

Wilmot has been a member of the Jet softball team all four years. She was a standout even as a freshman. 

As a member of team during the 2013-2014 season, Wilmot helped the Jets to a 15-10 overall record and a sixth place finish in the WACC. That year the squad advanced to the North Coast Section (NCS) Division III semifinal. She averaged .391 (27-of-69), accumulated 39 RBIs and hit three home runs. 

The Jets finished 13-11-1 in her sophomore season. Wilmot’s senior season will begin on March 4. 

Miami University is in Oxford, Ohio. The Red Hawks play in the Mid-Atlantic Conference.