Signing day is a milestone that every high school athlete dreams of, and for a talented group of Green Bay-area stars, that dream became a reality this spring. Among them is Jordan Escobar-Goral, a senior from Green Bay Preble who officially committed to run track at NCAA Division I University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

For Escobar-Goral, the journey to this moment began at the WIAA state track and field meet last year. As a key member of the 3,200-meter relay team, he helped secure a runner-up finish in Division 1—just 0.42 seconds behind state champion Mequon Homestead. His 1-minute, 53-second split that day was a turning point. "That's where it really started for me," he said. "I started taking it a lot more seriously."

Interest from UWM picked up over the winter, and while a few other schools showed attention, it was the Panthers who offered the best opportunity. When the official offer came last month, Escobar-Goral didn't hesitate—even without taking a campus visit. "It obviously means a whole lot to me," he said. "Especially with how much help financially I am getting and getting to do what I love, running track. It just means the world to me."

The recruiting process wasn't overwhelming in volume, but it came with its share of stress. There were days when he wasn't sure if a coach would make an offer or if one would ever come. That uncertainty lingered until UWM stepped in. Now, with his college plans secure, Escobar-Goral can focus on finishing his prep career strong.

In addition to his relay work, Escobar-Goral competes in the 400- and 800-meter dashes. He set Preble's indoor record in the 400 with a time of 51.33 in March and won a sectional championship in the 800 as a junior. Last season at state, he was one of 25 runners in the 800, but only 24 placed—he was disqualified due to a false start after a runner to his left flinched. That setback only fueled his determination.

A talented forward in soccer and a second-team all-conference pick in the Fox River Classic as a senior in 2025, Escobar-Goral is proof that hard work and persistence pay off. He joins a growing list of local athletes making the leap to Division I and II programs, and his story is a reminder that the next big moment can come when you least expect it—just like that race at state.