It was a long-anticipated moment for 34 Massapequa High School athletes and their proud families as the seniors made official their college commitments on Nov. 13. During a letter of intent signing ceremony in the auditorium, the accomplished student-athletes were reminded of the hard work that got them to this point from youth sports programs to varsity teams.
The seniors will be attending colleges near and far to play a variety of sports. They heard congratulatory remarks from Superintendent Dr. William Brennan, Principal Barbara Lowell, Interim Director of Physical Education, Health, Athletics and Recreation Matt McLees, and Chairperson of Physical Education and Athletics Brian Rath.
“This is a fun day, an exciting day,” Mr. Rath said. “It’s well-earned and well deserved.”
Mr. McLees told the athletes that they are prepared both academically and athletically by being a product of Massapequa High School, and asked them to thank everyone who has supported them along the way including their parents, teachers and coaches. Ms. Lowell said that playing college sports will be the best four years of their lives, and Dr. Brennan reminded them to stay disciplined and continue to work hard as they join their college sports teams.
The college-bound athletes are:
Baseball: Salvatore Apap, Clark University; Anthony Conza, Queens College; Anthony DiNello, SUNY Oswego; Caiden Erker and Michael Smar, Union College; Ryan Moore, Mount Saint Mary College; John Neary, Assumption University; and Jack Scannapieco, University of Saint Joseph.
Cross Country/Track and Field: Shannon Carter, Siena University; Kailyn Duffy, SUNY Geneseo; Kyra Florio-Marinello, Stonehill College; and Sophia Vukelic, Marist University.
Field Hockey: Aliya Hassett, Wagner College.
Boys Lacrosse: Tyler Byrnes, University of Massachusetts Amherst; Brady Ryan Gilchrist, Muhlenberg College; Owen Leisen, Ryan O’Connor and Braden Tucker, SUNY Maritime; Ryan McLaughlin, SUNY Geneseo; Connor Patten, SUNY Oswego; and Chase Tirino, SUNY Oneonta.
Girls Lacrosse: Savanna Appleton, Clemson University; Grace Hoffman, John’s Hopkins University; Kali Humann, Long Island University.
Soccer: Reese Reustle, Stonehill College; Carly Schuler, St. John’s University; Abigail Stapleton, Muhlenberg College; and Olivia Trojanowski, Seton Hall University.
Softball: Samantha Dolan and Alexa O’Mallon, Western Connecticut State University; Avery Pilla, SUNY Oneonta; Maeve Schiereck, Stony Brook University; Marissa Scognamiglio, Molloy University; and Nola Travato, University of Mount Saint Vincent.