14 NCHS Student-Athletes Sign Letters of Intent To Play Sports in College

Fourteen New Canaan High School seniors on Wednesday signed commitment letters to play sports in Divisions I and II in college starting next year. 

NCHS Athletic Director Jay Egan said during the school’s annual ceremony for the student-athletes that it’s “one of the happiest days and one of the nicest events that we have all year.”

Thanking the All Sports Booster Club and specifically its vice presidents of special events, Nancy Roeder and Meredith Sullivan, Egan told a crowd of student-athletes, friends, families and coaches gathered in the Wagner Room at NCHS that the ceremony marks “the end of the high school [athletic] career.”

“It’s the achievement of something that maybe families have thought about and dreamed about for a long time,” he said. “You think, how did you get here? You get here when you have really dedicated athletes, you have a combination of resources and great coaches and you have the parental support which is really key. So this is a day to celebrate all the time and effort that was put in for all of those years, for all of those trips to Maryland, for all of those trips to Long Island and everywhere that people went. And all of those Mother’s Days and Father’s Days and Memorial Days and Labor Days that you spent on some field or in some gym somewhere. It’s a day to celebrate.”

It’s also a day to “think about opportunities,” Egan added.

“Because what we are celebrating today is an opportunity that these young athletes have, to really achieve something special,” he said. “When I think of high school athletics, I think of it as a fun activity where you get a chance to play sports with the kids that you grew up with, you get a chance to represent your high school. And these are fond memories. And then when you think about college athletics, you think about a significant achievement that only a small population of athletes who participate anywhere get to achieve. And many times, this participation is something that is something that becomes part of who you are for the rest of your life.”

We asked the student-athletes why they chose their future schools, and put their responses next to photos of relatives in attendance:

Cole Campisi

• University of Denver 
• Lacrosse

“I really love the environment. The coaches treated me with a lot of respect. And they have a great history, something that I want to be a party of.”

 

 

Larkin Celeberti 

• Furman University
• Lacrosse

“It has a perfect balance of academics and athletics for me. Especially the post-graduate success that it offers. It’s a perfect team culture and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

 

 

 

Sarah DeScenza

• Belmont Abbey College
• Field hockey

“My parents have played a huge role in my faith. I just wanted somewhere that I could grow in my faith as well as grow in my athleticism. And when I went to visit, it was just like a family. I knew that’s where I wanted to be.”

 

 

Bella DeVito

• Villanova University
• Rowing

“I really liked the campus, and the coaches and team are really great.”

 

 

 

Izzy Janiga

• Davidson College
• Lacrosse

“Davidson was perfect for me because the academics were really great and I definitely need small classroom sizes. The lacrosse is at a great level. I love all the people, I love the location, it’s small but very close to a city. So, it was just perfect all around.”

 

 

Katharine Kerko

• University of Virginia
• Rowing

“I chose UVA because when I was touring there, I felt that everyone was very happy. Everyone seemed to have a lot of passion about what they’re doing and I also know that they’ve got a great sense of community and I know there are a few people from my [rowing] club that are there. So it’s kind of a home away from home.”

 

Rogan Lowe

• Colgate University
• Lacrosse

“A great school, great academics and a great lacrosse program and culture. I’m very excited for it.”

 

 

Cam Lyden

• University of Michigan
• Lacrosse

“My brother is going there. So that was a huge part. So it’s family and I figured that would be easier for my parents. The culture there is unbelievable. It was unlike any other school I visited. When I visited it really felt like home. Lacrosse, they’ve had success in the past few years. The coaching is great and they’re really oh the come-up. I want to be a part of that, with my brother.”

 

Jackson Mountford

• Georgetown University
• Tennis

“Most of my family members have gone there. I love the program, love DC. The business school is great. All around I’m just super excited to go there.”

 

 

Madison Norton

• University of Southern California
• Rowing

“When I visited the campus, it was instant. I fell in love with it. I left my visit and felt homesick for the campus. I knew I had to go.”

 

 

Spencer Osborne

• Colgate University
• Soccer

“On my visit, I really fell in love with the school. Loved the team, loved the campus and it was just a good option for me.”

 

 

Ashton Pickernell 

• Colgate University
• Lacrosse

“When I first went to the campus, it was so beautiful. And both of my older brothers go there, so they inspired me to choose Colgate in the first place and I just want to follow in their footsteps.”

 

 

Finn Roeder 

• College of the Holy Cross
• Lacrosse

“Holy Cross had the first people that I contacted. I visited there pretty early and when I visited, I knew it was a great school, great academics and not too far from home. So I thought it was a perfect fit.”

 

 

Petey Zwick

• Utah Valley University
• Baseball

“I chose Utah Valley because I loved it. The team was great, they were super welcoming. Great place and super nice.”