From the University of Cincinnati to Quinnipiac College and many more, many Eastern Regional Vikings are preparing for their futures in academics and athletics next fall
Eastern Regional High School last week saw its latest batch of student-athletes take their first step toward continuing their sporting careers after leaving the Vikings’ home.
Some 15 D-I and D-II seniors signed their National Letter of Intent in front of a packed room of family, friends, teachers and coaches in the school’s TV studio, while D-III student-athletes joined in on the ceremony later, having 11 state that they plan to resume playing sports in college.
“On behalf of Superintendent Dr. Harold Melleby Jr. and the board of education, we want to extend a congratulations to all the student-athletes being represented,” Principal Robert Tull said before the student-athletes made their way to the TV studio.
“We are excited about what’s in store for you beyond the halls of Eastern in various institutions of higher learning,” Tull added. “We’ve really appreciated your contributions here, and you truly will be missed.”
While in the TV studio, the student-athletes took group photos, separated into D-I and D-II commits or D-III student-athletes. Additionally, each student-athlete got the chance to record a bit with the television station at the school, stating their name, their college or university and their sport. Also, student-athletes were able to thank anyone who has helped them get to where they are in their education and athletic careers, with thanks including fellow teammates, teachers, coaches, family and more.
College and universities Eastern Regional student-athletes will be attending range from the University of Cincinnati to North Carolina Wesleyan College and many others.
Nearly all sports at Eastern Regional have a student-athlete from this class moving on to compete at the next level. During the morning, four football players signed a National Letter of Intent to play at the D-I or D-II level. Also committing to a college or university at any level were multiple student-athletes from lacrosse, lacrosse, track and field, baseball, field hockey and soccer.
Moving on to play women’s lacrosse at the University of Cincinnati are Victoria Accardo and Danielle Mlkvy. Madison Cowdin will play at Central Connecticut State University, and McKenna Henry will play at Thomas Jefferson University.
Moving on to play men’s lacrosse is Dean Carnival at Lafayette College and Stephen Hanscom at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Those continuing in either cross-country or track and field include Dariyah Corbett-Collier at Quinnipiac University and Kristaileen Quinones at Georgian Court University.
Those who will play college football include Jermaine Donaldson at Temple University, Jalen Egan at Kutztown University, T.J. Franden at Wagner College and Dante Kiett at Monmouth University.
Jack Winsett will continue baseball at Rider College, while Dylan Stezzi will go on to play baseball at the University of Rochester, Matthew Karpousis at Skidmore College and Eric Greenwald will play at Ursinus College.
Moving on to play field hockey in college is Sydney Woolston at Lafayette College and Linsey Champa at Montclair State University.
Future collegiate soccer players include Michaela Boyan at Rutgers University-Camden and Rebecca Spence at Neumann University. Meanwhile, swimming in college will be Jonathan Costa and Robert Gagnon both at Rochester Institute of Technology.
Alexandra Karpousis will continue gymnastics at the University of Pennsylvania. Raelyn D’Onofrio will play softball at Bloomfield College. Ryan Ems will play basketball at the University of Scranton, and Allison Wichrowski will pursue volleyball at North Carolina Wesleyan College.
