Hereford hosts signing day for college commits

At+enrichment%2C+students+celebrate+continuing+their+academic+and+athletic+careers+at+the+collegiate+level.+Coaches+of+the+student+athletes+also+joined+in+commemorating+their+achievements.

Sarah Borton

At enrichment, students celebrate continuing their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. Coaches of the student athletes also joined in commemorating their achievements.

Chloe Parker, Reporter

On Dec. 11, Hereford hosted a ceremony in the library for the students who are continuing their athletic journey at the collegiate level. These seniors are committed to a range of Division I, Division II, and Division III colleges.
Many of these athletes are committed to play Women’s Lacrosse. These include: Shannon Feeley (Monmouth University), Stephanie Joyce (Queens University), Sam Martin (Wingate University), Libby May (University of Maryland, College Park), Isabella Peterson (James Madison University), Rachel Saunders (Virginia Tech University), and Sydney Watts (Christopher Newport University).
The following will be playing Men’s Lacrosse: Nick Balducci (Huntingdon College), Jack Callis (Roanoke College), and Josh Goodwin (Bridgewater College).
Field Hockey commits include: Madison Hackett (Washington College), Sydney Lippe (Franklin and Marshall College), and Mackenzie McKillop (Monmouth University).
Students committed to run cross country and track are: Emily Francis (Charleston Southern) and Emily Konkus ().
Mark Suchy is committed to Franklin and Marshall College to play Men’s Basketball.
Connor Mann is committed to State University of New York Cobleskill for Men’s baseball.
Lastly, Kayla Reedy is committed to Towson University for the sport she’s been competing in for 10 years: swimming.
These athletes have trained hard and made many sacrifices along the way for this opportunity. Competing in these activities from a young age has helped them realize their love for their sport.
“I knew I was capable of doing all the workouts and keeping organized with my school and sports,” Mackenzie McKillop said. “I’ve always had a goal to go Division I since I was young.”
Choosing the division at which to play at required a lot of careful thought. Narrowing down schools was also stressful, but exciting.
“I’ve always wanted to play at the top level and improve a program,” Shannon Feeley said.
The recruiting process is competitive and athletes had to stay focused to make the best decisions. These athletes considered many aspects when searching for their home for the next four years.
“I wanted to [study] the major I wanted and not be limited just because I play a sport,” Rachel Saunders said.
Visiting a variety of different schools helps students narrow down what they are looking for in a college.
“I was looking for the ruralness with the hometown feel,” Josh Goodwin said. “I also wanted a growing program and to go somewhere I would actually play.”
It’s emotionally difficult to leave your high school team behind as well as your friends.
“I will miss how much I know everybody on the team,” Mark Suchy said. “I’ve played with the seniors for a long time.”
Leaving from where you have grown up is upsetting, but these seniors have impacted their team and community in many ways. The class of 2019 class has been a part of bringing back several county, regional, and state championships within their four years here.
Their high school teammates are excited to see what they accomplish at the collegiate level.

At enrichment students celebrate continuing their academic and athletic career at the collegiate level. Coaches of the student athletes also joined in commemorating their achievements.