Q: What college are you committed to?
A: “Wisconsin Whitewater.”
Q: What sport are you going to play?
A: “Basketball.”
Q: Did you always know you wanted to continue playing after high school?
A: “There’s been moments where I considered not playing and attending a big university, but I knew that basketball wasn’t a part of my life I was ready to be done with.”
Q: What is your major?
A: “I would like to go into public relations.”
Q: Do you think it will be hard to manage your classes with college level athletics?
A: “Yes I do. I think it will be a big adjustment.”
Q: Who has helped you the most get to this point in your basketball career?
A: “Definitely my parents and my AAU coaches.”
Q: Where did you commit and for what sport?
A: “I committed to the University of New Haven in New Haven, Connecticut, and I am running track and field there.”
Q: What is your major? Minor?
A: “My major is forensic science [and] as of right now I do not have a minor.”
Q: How do you plan on managing your classes with college level athletics?
A: “I think I’ve prepared myself pretty well in high school to begin with. I feel like obviously prioritizing school over sports. But I definitely think [doing] homework in school [or] before practice, and obviously I’m gonna try to finish as much as I can the day before a meet or like, try to do stuff in the morning when I have off periods.”
Q: What led you to make this decision to play a sport in college?
A: “I really love the team aspect of track and I just love the sport. I mean, I didn’t even start freshman year. I ran at South Middle School, but then we had COVID. So I didn’t run freshman year, and I started running sophomore year and after sophomore year, I was like, I love this so much more than [dancing] like I just loved everyone … It was very much more of a team [environment]. It’s a very individual sport, but I think it’s also more of a team sport at the end of the day and I feel like dance is like, yes, you’re [on] a team, but individually it’s all about yourself.”
Q: Did you always know you wanted to continue playing after high school? Why?
A: “No. In the beginning, I wanted to dance in college actually. I wanted to be on the Loyola dance team because my top choice was Loyola [at the time]. And then I think after the beginning of last year, I started getting random emails from random colleges and I was like, ‘wait, I kind of like track a little bit more than dance.’ So then I started focusing more on track. And then I was starting to find schools that I could do both at. Last year, in math randomly, I found New Haven. I emailed them and then went from there.”
Q: Why did you choose this college?
A: “New Haven wasn’t even on my list. I didn’t even know it existed. And I was researching schools. [That] had good forensic majors but also maybe a good school that I could run at, like a decent one. And I was looking through my Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) app, which is like a recruiting app for track and other sports, and they came up as a match. So I messaged them, and I was doing more research on them and they’re one of the best schools in the nation for forensics and they have a beautiful campus and it’s a pretty decent sized school so it’s not super small, but it’s smaller class sizes which is good for one on one with the professor. [The professors will] actually know you and know your name. You can build a relationship with them. So I think that’s what I liked the most. And then after visiting and going through the whole school, seeing all the facilities and everything, I kind of fell in love with it and decided to commit there.”
Q: What are you looking forward to about playing a sport in college next year?
A: “Definitely traveling. I have to say getting the free stuff is going to be pretty cool. But definitely traveling and meeting people from everywhere. There’s so many people that are from literally everywhere in New Haven like people from Africa [and] Europe. They’ve come from everywhere to do sports like soccer [and] track and I can’t wait to meet all the different sports and all the different people that I have never met before.”
Q: Who do you have to thank for helping you on this journey for your athletic career?
A: “I have to say probably my mom, [my brother] Nico [and] coaches. But definitely I think my mom and my brother had a big impact on wanting to do a sport in college … [They] encouraged me to do what I want to do.”
Q: Where did you commit and for what sport?
A: I am attending Illinois Wesleyan University as a finance major and I am committed to play lacrosse.
Q: How do you plan on managing your classes with college level athletics?
A: I certainly hope I will be able to balance both and I know that the school will have resources to help. I have always balanced my academics and sports and at this point I don’t know any other way.
Q: What led you to make this decision to play a sport in college?
A: Having trained as a face off specialist for years, lacrosse is a passion of mine. I am looking forward to joining a brotherhood of players who have the same work ethic … Playing lacrosse in college was the dream but I never assumed anything. The dream became a reality after receiving text and emails from coaches as the recruiting process started.
Q: Why did you choose this college?
A: While visiting schools that recruited me I always kept academics as a mutual priority. I really wanted that school that would match my ideal of playing highly competitive lacrosse along with having a great academic reputation. I found both at IWU … IWU is a great college for lacrosse and has an excellent history of winning the CCIW conference as they just did again this year. I am looking forward to watching the NCAA games that they will be competing in.
Q: What are you looking forward to about playing a sport in college next year?
A: I am very excited to play lacrosse at IWU and I look forward to working hard to provide a positive impact on the team … As a face off specialist I have very specific tracing that will hopefully translate well. I am looking forward to learning from the coaches and the team to mold into that fit.
Q: Who do you have to thank for helping you on this journey for your athletic career?
A: Coach Wildman has influenced my lacrosse career in many ways. He has been there for me at Prospect and Second City Lacrosse Club. He has helped me develop as a better all around player and has given me confidence as a fogo. We are very lucky at Prospect to have his skilled guidance to help build this team.
Q: What else helped you along your lacrosse journey?
A: Everything you can do outside of practice is what builds you as a player. Second City, X Academy and training have been vital to my evolution. I do everything I can to never say no to an opportunity to practice, train or play … I am grateful for all of my experiences which cultivated my advancement. I worked many jobs through high school to pay for my tournaments, showcases and training. I strongly believe in earning everything I achieve which has helped me reach my success.
Q: When you play lacrosse, what is your “message?”
A: When I play lacrosse I am very aggressive and my main simple message in my mind is to get the ball. I will do everything I can to make that happen for my team.
Q: Where did you commit, and for what sport?
A: “I’m going to the University of Dayton for track and field.”
Q: What is your major? Minor?
A: “I’m going to be doing elementary education.”
Q: How do you plan on managing your classes with college-level athletics?
A: “On my visit, they explained to me that they were going to have mandatory study hours where you have to reach a time that you study every week that you have to clock in, so I think that will be really helpful. They [also] have so many resources so I know I will get the help I need if I’m struggling or I feel that it’s too much. I think I practiced good time management in high school because I’ve always done sports in school, and I’ve had to manage that, and I’ve been fine.”
Q: What led you to make this decision to run in college?
A: “I never thought that I was going to get the opportunity to run in college, so when I started getting interest from schools, it was probably the most exciting thing. I was just through the roof, I was so excited to have schools reach out to me, and Dayton really clicked so I felt like I would regret it if I didn’t try at least to run and see how it goes. I think it’ll be really fun. I’m really excited. I love track, so it was a hard decision, but I think it’ll work out. I’m excited.”
Q: Did you always know you wanted to continue running after high school? Why?
A: “Not really. I don’t think I thought I would have the opportunity to do it. I feel like that’s something that as a kid, you always dream of doing, but I never thought it would be a reality. I was so excited, and I think it’s kind of scary cause it’s fun to commit and say you’re going to run or do a sport in college, but when it actually comes down to it, it’s going to be a lot of work, and it’s going to be a lot of time, but I love track. I love this sport and the girls at Dayton are so special and the coach was so cool, so I honestly couldn’t pass the opportunity.”
Q: Why did you choose Dayton?
A: “Like I said, the girls were super awesome. Those visits, I think, on paper, seem like super fun, like somebody’s bringing you out or flying you out to come and see the school, and they pay for your dinners, and they pay for you to go on different experiences and you get to go and watch the football games on the field. It seems hypothetically really cool, but it’s really draining socially, and you are traveling, and you want to be perfect for the people that you are meeting, but Dayton was one of the schools where I felt like I wasn’t drained. I was actually super excited and I got to stay with the girls in their dorm which I didn’t do at any of the other schools and I feel like that really showed me what it would be like. I got to meet their friends and we just had so much fun together and the coach, his goals and what he saw me doing at this at the school and what I want to accomplish [in] myself really lined up, and I don’t know he just seemed like he had a lot of belief in me and that’s something that really inspired me.”
Q: What are you looking forward to about running at Dayton next year?
A: “I’m definitely excited to play at the D1 level and compete with some of the fastest girls around the country. I’m also super excited to be with the team and get into the routine at Dayton.”
Q: Who do you have to thank for helping you on this journey for your athletic career?
A: “My parents have been my biggest supporters ever, and my siblings and my friends, but my parents especially. They helped me make this decision fully; they were always rooting for me. They came to all my meets, and my coaches and my teammates really helped me fall in love with this sport; they pushed me athletically to be my best, but I also think they helped show what it was like to be a good teammate and they brought me to a lot of things that I don’t think I would get to experience.”
Q: Where did you commit to and for what sport?
A: “I committed to the Ohio State University for cheerleading.”
Q: What is your major?
A: “I plan on majoring in Exercise Science with a minor in Religious Studies.”
Q: How do you plan on managing your classes with college level athletics?
A: “There are lots of resources available to student athletes, such as mandatory study hours, free tutors, and access to athlete only study buildings.”
Q: What led you to make this decision to play a sport in college?
A: “I didn’t always know that I wanted to continue in college, but after I got the chance to compete with the US National Team last year, I realized I had the skills to compete at the collegiate level, and with the help of my coaches I started looking into colleges that would be the best fit for me.”
Q: What led you to make this decision to cheer in college?
A: “I love this sport and decided I wanted to continue competing, so collegiate cheerleading was my best option.”
Q: Why did you choose Ohio State?
A: “I chose Ohio State for their incredible team and coaches, facilities, accomplishments and their academic programs.”
Q: Were there any other schools you were considering?
A: “Along with Ohio State, I was considering the University of Kentucky as well as the University of Tennessee Knoxville.”
Q: What are you looking forward to about cheering at Ohio State next year?
A: “I am looking forward to football game days and college nationals, along with meeting new people and making new friends.”
Q: Who do you have to thank for helping you on this journey for your athletic career?
A: “I have to thank my coaches who have helped me become the best cheerleader I can possibly be, and have supported me throughout this journey.”
Q: Where did you commit and for what sport?
A: “I committed to run track at Taylor University.”
Q: What is your major?
A: “I will be majoring in social work.”
Q: How do you plan on managing your classes with college level athletics?
A: “I plan to just be really intentional with my time to make sure I can stay caught up in school work and still focus on track.”
Q: What led you to make this decision to play a sport in college?
A: “I really enjoy track and I would love the opportunity to have another four years to try and get better and run for a different team! I am also excited to see how college track will differ from high school.”
Q: Did you always know you wanted to continue playing after high school? Why?
A: “I actually wasn’t planning on doing track in college but I heard so many good things about the Taylor track team and since it is the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA,) it’s not too much pressure which comes a lot in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA.) So I think it will be able to give me a good balance between athletics and the college experience!”
Q: Why did you choose this college?
A: “I chose Taylor because I think I will be a really good fit for me. My sister goes there and has had a really good experience, and I loved the team and coaches when I visited. I think it will be a great opportunity to grow as well!”
Q: What are you looking forward to about playing a sport in college next year?
A: “I am looking forward to running for a new team and having new opportunities. I am also really excited to run in a new collegiate environment.”
Q: Who do you have to thank for helping you on this journey for your athletic career?
A: “I would like to give thanks to my parents, coaches and my teammates because they are what made track such a good experience for me and helped to prepare me for this next chapter in life.”
Q: Where did you commit and for what sport?
A: “Northern Illinois University for golf.”
Q: What is your major? Do you have a minor?
A: “My major is business, more specifically marketing.”
Q: How do you plan on managing your classes with college level athletics?
A: “Setting aside a certain amount of time each week so I can get my classes done but still allow myself time to get my golfing in; similar to what I [did] at Prospect the last couple years.”
Q: What led you to make the decision to play golf in college?
A: “I really believe I have a future [in] golf and I am very passionate about the game.”
Q: Did you always know you wanted to continue playing after high school? Why or why not?
A: “Yes, because athletics runs in my family and I am very passionate about it. So, I have wanted to [play in college] since I was little.”
Q: Why did you choose NIU?
A: “I chose NIU because the golf practice facilities are next level … The coaches are [also] very knowledgeable and helpful.”
Q: What are you looking forward to about playing golf at NIU next year?
A: “I am looking forward to playing a really great tournament schedule on some of the best golf courses in the world.”
Q: Who do you have to thank for helping you on this journey for your athletic career?
A: “I really thank TPS Player Service. They really helped me improve my game as well as my friends and family. They really pushed me to [be] the best player I can be.”
Q: Where did you commit and for what sport?
A: “I committed to Illinois Wesleyan University for football.”
Q: What is your major? Minor?
A: “I am majoring in teaching and a minor in criminology.”
Q: How do you plan on managing your classes with college level athletics?
A: “I plan on taking advantage of the study hall that the team provides for me.”
Q: What led you to make this decision to play a sport in college?
A: “The coach at Wesleyan really wanted me to come play and I liked the school.”
Q: Did you always know you wanted to continue playing after high school? Why?
A: “I actually thought that my football days were over until the Wesleyan coach recognized my talent and that’s why I committed to the Titans.”
Q: Why did you choose this college?
A: “I chose this college because it is a small school with a big school feeling and then to play football.”
Q: What are you looking forward to about playing a sport in college next year?
A: I look forward to being a part of a college football team.”
Q: Who do you have to thank for helping you on this journey for your athletic career?
A: “I want to thank my mom and dad and my coaches.”
Q: Where did you commit and for what sport?
A: “I committed to Johns Hopkins University for wrestling.”
Q: What is your major? Minor?
A: “Right now, I’m thinking of majoring in engineering, and I’m not extremely sure what I could minor in, maybe mathematics or French. I’m not sure yet.”
Q: How do you plan on managing your classes with college level athletics?
A: “That’s actually something that I think will help me, just the fact that
I’ll have a routine. A lot of people have told me that in college, there is a good amount of work, but there’s so much time that … if you use your time wisely, it’s almost impossible to not get it done. But I’ve also heard that being in sports, in giving you that routine, helps you stay in control and manage your time wisely, so you don’t end up doing dumb stuff and wasting too much time.”
Q: What led you to make this decision to wrestle in college?
A: “I just love wrestling, and I love the feeling of competing, and … I like getting better at it. [Wrestling is] something that I can’t really imagine not doing in my life yet, so I didn’t want to give that up.”
Q: Did you always know you wanted to continue wrestling after high school? Why?
A: “I thought I did when I was younger, but honestly, coming out of junior year and mainly senior year summer, I started to think [that] maybe I don’t need to wrestle in college because when I went on vacation with my family, I wasn’t wrestling, and [I] realized that I’m having fun; maybe wrestling isn’t the greatest choice in college; I’ll have fun without it. But then as the season came up, I realized I enjoyed it, and I think it would make my time in college a lot better. It keeps me healthy; it gives me a good group of people to socialize with and always gives me some friends. It keeps me competitive … It lets me show a lot of myself.”
Q: Why did you choose John Hopkins over other schools?
A: “For bioengineering, it was ranked the best school, and that’s kind of what I’m leaning towards. It gave me the option to both go to a really good school for what I want to do and at the same time compete in wrestling, which is another one of my dreams for college, so it’s a good mix.”
Q: What are you looking forward to about wrestling in college next year?
A: “Honestly, the same stuff that I look forward to right now: just improving myself, competing, and staying healthy … I’m very excited to see the next-level training that we do there. I saw the gym, and it was really high-tech and developed, so I thought that was pretty interesting. They have a nice training room too … They have a lot of good trainers there, so I’m excited for that.”
Q: Who do you have to thank for helping you on this journey for your athletic career?
A: “My teammates, really. Teammates play a really big part in continuing to play your sports and then also keeping you competitive. You get the competitiveness in the room. You always know you have each other’s backs. It’s just a nice community to have behind you. And then coaches always push you and improve you. Coach Brown really helped me this year [to] develop as a leader and also push myself and get in those extra hours [of training] when I know other people aren’t working.
Q: Where did you commit and for what sport?
A: “I committed to North Central for Track and Field.”
Q: What is your major? Minor?
A: “My major and minor are undecided as of right now.”
Q: How do you plan on managing your classes with college level athletics?
A: “I plan on managing classes by finding a schedule that works for me and allows me to have enough time to focus on my class work as well as my athletics.”
Q: What led you to make this decision to play a sport in college?
A: “I deciding to run track in college because I wanted the opportunity to continue running for another four years.”
Q: Did you always know you wanted to continue playing after high school? Why?
A: “I knew for a while that I wanted to continue track in college because it has become a big part of my life and I didn’t want to stop after high school.”
Q: Why did you choose this college?
A: “I chose north central because I loved the campus and the track and field program there. It felt like the right choice for me and somewhere I could see myself going.”
Q: What are you looking forward to about playing a sport in college next year?
A: “I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to run for another four years and improve from where I am now. I am also looking forward to being able to train in a new environment and meet new people.”
Q: Who do you have to thank for helping you on this journey for your athletic career?
A: “I have to thank my family for always supporting me, and my teammates and coaches for always pushing me towards my goals and helping me improve.”
Q: Where did you commit and for what sport?
A: I committed to North Central College in Naperville, Illinois [for track].
Q: What is your major?
A: My intended major is Criminology.
Q: How do you plan on managing your classes with college level athletics?
A: I intend to balance my classes with my athletics by being proactive with school work while being able to perform outside of the class. … [This means] less time with friends and doing non-school-related work.
Q: What led you to make this decision to play a sport in college?
A: What led me to play a sport in college was just the aurora that came with being a collegiate level athlete. I [have] loved sports all my life, and ever since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to play [at] the next level.
Q: Why did you choose this college?
A: I chose NCC [North Central College] because as soon as I walked onto the campus, it felt like home. My overnight stay with the track team is what really locked me in to be a part of this family. The town and people made it all feel like home.
Q: What are you looking forward to about playing a sport in college next year?
A: While playing a sport next year, I look forward to hitting new PRs [personal records] and just making new friends.
Q: How has Prospect helped you prepare to continue with your sport in college (both on the track and in the classroom)?
A: Prospect has prepared me for college by giving me the right life lessons, whether that be learned from teachers or coaches who I grew very fond of.
Q: Who do you have to thank for helping you on this journey for your athletic career?
A: As my athletic career here at Prospect is coming to an end in [a] few weeks time, I really wanted to show appreciation to my football and track coach Jeff Collier. Without him, I don’t think I’d be where I am today.
Q: Where did you commit and for what sport?
A: I am committed to the University of Dayton for track and cross country.
Q: What is your major? Minor?
A: I plan to major in finance.
Q: How do you plan on managing your classes with college level athletics?
A: I plan to manage my classes with sports by being organized and managing my time efficiently. Dayton also gives student-athletes access to so many resources to help with their class workload.
Q: What led you to make this decision to play a sport in college?
A: I decided to continue playing a sport in college because I love competing and being a part of a team. Once I started the recruiting process I knew this was the right decision, and I could not be more excited.
Q: Did you always know you wanted to continue playing after high school? Why?
A: I had always thought about running after high school, but did not seriously consider it until my junior year. At this point in high school, many of my teammates were continuing their sports at the collegiate level, and I knew I would miss the sport if I did not play collegiately as well.
Q: Why did you choose this college?
A: I chose the University of Dayton because I really liked the opportunities they offered and their close-knit community. When I went on a visit there I immediately connected with the team and coaches, loved the school’s atmosphere, and ultimately thought it would be the best fit for me.
Q: What are you looking forward to about playing a sport in college next year?
A: I am looking forward to competing at the collegiate level, and racing with my teammates. I am so excited to be on the same team with my current Prospect track teammate, Charlotte Deines.
Q: Who do you have to thank for helping you on this journey for your athletic career?
A: I would like to thank my parents, coaches, and teammates. They have all been such great supporters, and have helped me find a love for the sport. I am so grateful for my time on the Prospect cross country and track teams. I have built so many great relationships and had so many amazing opportunities!