Senior year never fails to supply pressure and stress to high school students, and perhaps even more so for student athletes. Not only do they have to choose a school that has the major they want to take, but they also have to be a good fit for the students in their athletic needs. On Feb. 6, the Neshaminy community saw some of their finest athletes commit their talents to schools at the next level, and solidify their future for the next four years.
Field hockey stand out Brittany Sheenan committed to Boston College, “I chose Boston College because of its amazing combination of top academics and high level athletics.” Sheenan said. Sheenan finished second in the Suburban One League in both goals, with 31 and total points, with 73.
These tremendous statistical accomplishments earned her a spot on the SOL National Conference All-League first team. Sheenan also earned a spot on the Pennsylvania High School Field Hockey Coaches Association class AAA All-State first team.
While her days of playing field hockey in high school are over, Sheenan looks forward to playing in college, “It feels like such a relief to have signed with a college to play he sport I love. I am so lucky to have the chance to play on a team with the guidance of reputable coaches and such experienced teammates. I can’t wait to start in the fall!” sheenan said
Two-sport athlete Justin Andrews could have played either football or baseball in college, but decided to focus on baseball. Andrews signed his letter of intent to Monmouth University, “I picked Monmouth because it’s a great academic school and not too far away from home. It’s where I felt most comfortable with the coaches and players.”
Andrews has yet to play baseball in his senior year, but the ceiling is high for this college bound athlete. In his junior year, Andrews batted .356 with 16 runs batted in and a .431 on base percentage. He shows patience and effective play both as a position player and a pitcher.
Star softball pitcher Lauren Quense committed to Fordham University, “I picked Fordham because of its academic reputation, its location cause it’s in the Bronx and I fell in love with the campus; they have a really good softball team with great coaches & players.” Quense also has yet to play her senior season thus far, but as always, expectations are high for the Neshaminy girls.
In addition to Quense, two other star softball players signed their letters of intent on Wednesday. Diana LaPalombara committed to St. Francis University and Julia McGovern committed to Quinnipiac University.
“First time on campus I felt at home; everyone was very welcoming and inviting. Going into pre-med. will be a lot, let alone playing softball at a D1 level. The school is very accommodative when it comes to their student athletes,” LaPalombara said on her choice. “I couldn’t pass up on a school that seems perfect for me, where I can develop as a student and a person,” She added.
As for McGovern’s commitment, “I chose Quinnipiac, because they offer everything that I am considering going into, it’s also a beautiful campus and I really like my coach. They also showed a lot of interest in me so I knew that they actually wanted me to play there.”
All three players earned recognition from the Pennsylvania Softball Coaches Association, each of them making it onto the All-SOL team. The players will look to improve last year’s stellar season and hopefully advance to the PIAA State championships this year.
Captain of the boys’ soccer team, Austin Transue signed his letter of intent to Bloomsburg University, “I picked bloom it was the right fit for me. It wasnt too far way, it was the perfect size and it has my major,” he said on his decision. Transue was one of many playmakers on the boys’ team this year, earning a spot on the 2012 Suburban One All League Boys’ Soccer first team.
The most recent addition to the bunch was another standout two-sport athlete, Cody Minnig. He signed his letter of intent to Penn State University. Minnig, much like Transue, earned recognition as an honorable mention on the Suburban One All-League Boys’ Soccer team.
Minnig has earned many accolades as a sprinter and a long-jumper, even manning the 4×100 team that shattered the Neshaminy record with a time of 42.15 seconds.
Some of Neshaminy’s finest athletes solidified their futures in the past week, and only time will tell how their collegiate careers will pan out. As for right now, however, some of the stresses of senior year are alleviated for a few athletes, “I feel that I have been rewarded for the hard work I have out in since a little girl. Later in life, I can say that I was one of the eight kids who signed with a D1 college.” Diana LaPalombara said.
