Three Park City High School Athletes Commit to East Coast Academic Powerhouses

Football player, track star, and volleyball player sign with Dartmouth, Yale, and MIT

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Three standout athletes from Park City High School - football player Tanner Pidwell, track and field athlete Sierra Darling, and volleyball player Sabine Smith - have committed to continue their athletic and academic careers at prestigious East Coast universities. Pidwell will attend Dartmouth, Darling will go to Yale, and Smith will join the MIT community.

Why it matters

It's rare for high school athletes to have the opportunity to pursue their sports at the collegiate level while also receiving an elite education. This achievement by the three Park City High School stars highlights the school's strong athletic and academic programs, and demonstrates the students' hard work and dedication to excelling both on the field/court and in the classroom.

The details

Pidwell was an all-state punter for the Miners football team, Darling was part of state championship relay teams and placed third in the 400m race, and Smith starred on a Miners volleyball team that won its fourth-straight regional title. All three cited the ability to get playing time early in their college careers and the strong academic reputations of their chosen schools as key factors in their decisions.

  • On Jan. 30, the three athletes committed to their respective schools in a college athletics ceremony at Park City High School.
  • Pidwell, Darling, and Smith will begin their collegiate careers in the fall of 2026.

The players

Tanner Pidwell

A football player who was the starting kicker and punter for the Park City High School Miners the last two seasons, earning all-state second team honors for his punting.

Sierra Darling

A track and field athlete who was part of the state title-winning 4x100m and 4x400m girl's relay race teams in 2025, and also finished third in the 400m race in the 4A classification.

Sabine Smith

A volleyball player who starred on a Park City High School Miners girl's volleyball team that won its fourth-straight regional title in October 2025.

Dartmouth

An Ivy League university where Tanner Pidwell will continue his football career.

Yale

An Ivy League university where Sierra Darling will continue her track and field career.

MIT

A prestigious technical institute where Sabine Smith will continue her volleyball career.

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What they’re saying

“I have a strong interest in academics and wanted to go to a strong school. Football gave me a clear path to a great school that I am super excited to attend.”

— Tanner Pidwell, Football Player (parkrecord.com)

“It's crazy to see this dream come true for both of us.”

— Sierra Darling, Track and Field Athlete (parkrecord.com)

“Yale prides itself on being a place where people choose 'and' instead of having to choose 'or,' which really resonated with me.”

— Sierra Darling, Track and Field Athlete (parkrecord.com)

What’s next

The three athletes will begin their collegiate careers in the fall of 2026, with Pidwell, Darling, and Smith looking to make an immediate impact for their respective teams at Dartmouth, Yale, and MIT.

The takeaway

The commitments of Tanner Pidwell, Sierra Darling, and Sabine Smith demonstrate the exceptional talent and dedication of Park City High School's student-athletes, who are able to pursue both their athletic and academic passions at some of the top universities in the country.