(Please email sports@th-record.com with any additions from Wednesday)
Cornwall kicker/punter Damon Neil, Division II Shippensburg (Pa.) University: Neil said he could have attempted to walk on at Division I schools Rutgers and University at Buffalo, but chose Shippensburg.
“There was no guarantee and not a lot of money,” said Neil, a second-team Varsity845 punter this year. “I only have one person to beat at Shippensburg, a fifth-year senior. If I don’t play this year, I can play next year.”
Shippensburg went 11-2 last year and reached the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs. Neil said he will receive an athletic scholarship worth $1,000 as a freshman.
Newburgh Free Academy linebacker Mike Cerisano, Division II Southern Connecticut State University: Cerisano, a two-time Varsity845 first-team all-star, picked Southern Connecticut over two other Division II schools – C.W. Post and New Haven. Newburgh coach Bill Bianco said Cerisano will receive an athletic scholarship/grant package worth about $23,000 annually. Southern Connecticut costs about $32,000 annually.
Cerisano and offensive lineman Toussant Helm, who verbally committed to Division I Lafayette last month, signed national letter of intents on Wednesday at Newburgh. Helm accepted a full scholarship package worth $57,000 per year. Cornwall two-way lineman Connor Staudle, who will also play at Lafayette next year on a full scholarship, also signed his letter of intent on Wednesday. Staudle, who is 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds, played left tackle and defensive lineman for Cornwall, the two-time defending Section 9 Class A champion. He was especially dominant on the offensive line, where he will play at Lafayette.
Minisink Valley offensive lineman Colin Scott, Division II Pace University: According to Scott, a Varsity845 first-team all-star, he could play tackle or guard at Pace, and he hopes to make a run at a starting job as a freshman.
“They are really young. I know I can come in and compete,” Scott said. “They didn’t win a game last year and played a lot of freshmen and sophomores. They are rebuilding and I think I can come in and make an impact.”
Scott said he will receiver a merit scholarship/grant worth about $38,000 per year. Pace costs $53,000 annually. Minisink Valley running back John Tobin, who missed most of this season with a torn ACL, will also play at Pace.
Gladys Loyas, S.S. Seward girls’ soccer, N.C. State: Loyas signed to play for the Wolfpack on a full scholarship. Just last week, she opted out of playing at St. Bonaventure, after the coach that recruited her, Manoj Khettry, was fired. Loyas scored 145 goals with 64 assists as a five-year varsity starter.
Sara Flores, Kingston track, University at Buffalo: Flores’ athletic scholarship will cover about 85 percent of her expenses. However, she said if she can break 55 seconds in 400 meters or 40 seconds in the 300 meters this year, she will receive a full ride. Flores’ signature event is the 400, which she will run at Buffalo, along with the 200 and relays.
“Trying to get those times gives me a goal,” Flores said. “It makes sure that I won’t slack off as a senior. It motivates me.”
Michele Galvin, Middletown, Binghamton University: Galvin, a senior at Middletown High, did not play for the Middies the past two seasons. Instead, Galvin, midfielder/striker, played for World Class FC based in Orangeburg and trained at Primo Sports in Florida. Galvin earned an athletic scholarship that will cover about 75 percent of her expenses.
Celina Carrero, Newburgh girls’ soccer, University at Buffalo: Carrero, Newburgh’s all-time leading scorer with 67 goals, will receive a scholarship of $15,000, or roughly 85 percent, to play for Buffalo. Despite only playing 12 games due to a knee injury this year, Carrero scored 16 goals for the Goldbacks at striker.
Delany Williams and Ashley Kenny, Washingtonville girls’ soccer, Pace University: A striker, Williams and Kenny, a defender, both received academic/athletic scholarships that will cover most of their expenses at the Division II school. Both played integral roles in Washingtonville’s historic run to the Class AA state championship this fall.
Haleigh Svede, Minisink Valley girls’ soccer, Mercer University: Svede said she always wanted to play in the South and Mercer is her ticket. Mercer, a Division I school, is located in Macon, Ga. Svede, a Varsity845 first-team sweeper, said she is still working out terms of her academic/athletic scholarship package. She was a second-team Class AA all-state selection this season.
Caroline Staudle, Cornwall girls’ soccer, Southern Connecticut State University: Staudle, the 2011 Varsity845 girls’ soccer player of the year, will play at the Division II school. She scored 33 goals with nine assists as a senior this fall. Two of Staudle’s teammates, midfielders Ally LaGrutta and Andrea Mancuso accepted Division II scholarships. LaGrutta will play at Pace and Mancuso, a Varsity845 first-team all-star, at Stonehill (Mass.) College.
Pat Rooney and Amin Tmimi, Monroe-Woodbury boys’ track: Rooney, a middle distance runner, will compete at Princeton. Tmimi, a runner and pole vaulter, is off to Wisconsin.
Tucker Stern, New Paltz boys’ soccer, Marist College: Stern, a midfielder, scored 15 goals and had five assists this fall, leading New Paltz to its first Section 9 title in program history. Stern is also a standout nordic skier.
