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A dozen Islip High School senior athletes signed national letters of intent confirming their commitment to participate in collegiate athletics after they graduate this June.
School administrators and family members joined the student-athletes for a special recognition ceremony in the school’s cafeteria, congratulating them on their decisions. Four members of the group will stay close to home, playing and studying at Long Island schools.
Five will attend colleges in upstate New York, while three will study and play sports at schools in New England states.
The following students made commitments to carry on their athletic careers in college:
• Sara Geldmacher (lacrosse, Long Island University)
• Anthony Giel (baseball, SUNY Old Westbury)
• Erik Heimlich (lacrosse, Bryant University)
• Olivia Johnson (golf, SUNY Geneseo)
• Nicole Matute (soccer, University of Rochester)
• Peighton McKenna (soccer, Mercy University)
• Alex Rahner (baseball, American International College)
• Dylan Ruland (baseball, Mercy University)
• Dylan Smith (lacrosse, Stony Brook University)
• Michael Vitale (lacrosse, Mercy University)
• Jack Whitehouse (lacrosse, Long Island University)
• Callahan Zusi (lacrosse, Springfield College)
“The passion, the dedication, the time management and the natural leadership that comes with being an athlete at the level that you are now and will continue to be, it’s something that’s very special, very unique,” Islip High School Principal Lara Gonzalez said. “I applaud you and can only imagine the doors that will continue to open for you, and I know that you will open doors for kids who are coming through this high school who are just a little bit younger.”
“My message is always the same,” added Assistant Principal Charlie Rizzuto. “Don’t underestimate the power of the little things while you’re an athlete on a college campus and playing for a team.”
Islip schools Athletic Director John Sparacio expressed how proud he was of the group.
“Like I said at the beginning of the year, make every single step count,” he said. “You guys obviously are doing that because that’s why you’re going to the next level, and that’s a great thing to do.”
Top photo: (Courtesy)
