SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis senior Rhys Wynbrandt will sign with Hawaii Pacific on Wednesday as part of the National Signing Day event for the sport of soccer. St. Francis has five players signing with programs across the country.

“I have had a big dream about Hawaii,” said Wynbrandt. “It has been a big place for me and I have always been inspired by surfers. It has been a huge dream place and is the reason I set my focus on that school.”

Wynbrandt, who will play her second season for the Troubadour varsity this season, will join a program coached by Gina Brewer. She just completed her fifth season and led the program to a school-best 11 wins in 2014. The Sharks play in the Pac West Conference.

“I have always wanted to play soccer and go Hawaii,” said Wynbrandt. “It is kinda overwhelming. I am happy to have it but it is also super anxiety provoking to move to the island and learn to take care of yourself. But in a way I feel it is going to be really good for me.”

Wynbrandt made her decision to join the Hawaii Pacific program after deciding what she wanted in a school and a soccer program.

“I didn’t want to play Division I,” said Wynbrandt, who plans to study nursing. “It would be too much with my major. I decided to look for a Division II school. I emailed the coach and she got me interested in the school. It really drew me in.”

Wynbrandt, who is interested in oncology and has a desire to help people who are going through cancer. visited the school in the fall and worked out for the team.

“The humidity really got to me when we were running and doing conditioning,” said Wynbrandt. “It was very intense. But I fit in pretty well with the girls.”

Wynbrandt will play her second season for the varsity team this season after being part of the section finalist team in 2015.

“It has been a great self-esteem booster to play for St. Francis,” said Wynbrandt. “I have always been shy, scared and timid. Jumping into varsity and having that goal was a complete life changer for me. It made me more confident that I could play at a higher level and the coaches have been really helpful.”

Wynbrandt credits the SF coaches for helping her develop, especially after her injury. She broke her left leg and ankle in a skateboarding accident and missed her sophomore season.

“It was a pretty good recovery and I had to keep my focus and motivation,” said Wynbrandt. “I knew the injury was serious and I could not just jump back into it. Not only did I have to work with my leg but I had to work with my mind. I knew it was going to take a really long time but I needed to do it.”

Wynbrandt, who plays for CAP FC and is from Elk Grove, scored two goals last season and had 45 steals for St. Francis. She is looking forward to her final season with the Troubadours and what lies ahead for her.

“I hope to really have fun,” said Wynbrandt about her senior season. “A lot of pressure is taken off now I know where I am going to school. My main focus is to have fun with my friends.”

Wynbrandt will be one of five St. Francis seniors signing on Wednesday at 9 a.m.