Austin Hahn was a self-admitted “football kid” as a youngster.
“I was one of the 18 million kids who said they wanted to play in the NFL when they grew up,” the recent Central Bucks West graduate said. “If you would have read my sixth grade yearbook, it said I wanted to play football at Duke. I wanted to be an NFL quarterback.”
By middle school, Hahn knew that might not be a realistic goal and changed his focus to another sport he happened to excel at – lacrosse. He recently graduated from West with his name in the program’s record books as the lacrosse program’s all-time leading goal scorer in a season, and he will be taking his talents to New Jersey Institute of Technology this fall. He also considered Utah, High Point and Jacksonville but was drawn to NJIT, in part, because it is closer to home.
“It’s a newer program, a new D1 in general,” said Hahn, who will major in finance and technology. “One of the coaches was recruiting me at Bryant University, and he got an assistant coaching position at NJIT. I thought it was really cool that he had loyalty to me and stuck with me.
“He kept reaching out to me even when I didn’t show as much interest in the beginning. He was really helpful throughout the whole process and a very big supporter of me and showed up to a lot of games, which really meant a lot.”
Hahn was one of eight West seniors recognized on Tuesday, May 23, for committing to compete in collegiate sports. Two of his teammates from West’s successful lacrosse squad – Will Shandlay and Billy Trimbur – were also recognized.
Shandlay will continue his career at Drew University where he will major in political science/communications. He also considered Catholic University, Penn State Abington, Lake Forest, Rider and American.
“Drew was a very welcoming environment,” Shandlay said. “The coaching staff did an excellent job on prospect days and visits. They made me feel like family before I was even part of the team.
“Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to play in college until probably the end of my junior year. I was accepting that I was going to hang up my cleats at the end of my senior year. I went to a prospect day and played OK, and after that, I got some attention. Obviously, academics is always primary and lacrosse is secondary. With Drew, I visited the school as an academic, and after emailing the coach, it all worked out.”
Trimbur also didn’t have his mind set on playing collegiate lacrosse but was presented an opportunity at Pennsylvania College of Technology where he will major in diesel technology.
“To be honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to college,” said Trimbur. “I was looking into trades, but I heard about this. I heard a lot of good things. I went up there, did a couple of summer camps, and I really liked it.
“They just started their lacrosse program – I believe it’s their fourth year they have a team. I reached out to the coach, I sent him some highlights, and everything fell into place.”
Claire Dalsass and Maile McFadden will continue their cross country/track and field careers at the next level. Dalsass will run at Loyola University (Md.) where she will enroll in the business honors program and major in business/mathematics. She also considered William & Mary, Lehigh, Holy Cross and St. Joe’s.
“Being on campus, I felt like the community and the faculty, staff and kids – they were all very welcoming,” Dalsass said. “They also have a really good business program.
“I’ve been running since fourth grade, and it’s just been a part of me, so I can’t imagine stopping. I know my transition into college will be easier continuing doing something I love.”
McFadden, who will major in communications, will also compete at the Division I level at Rider University. She also considered Lehigh, Delaware Valley University and the University of Delaware.
“The coaching staff is nice, and the team seems like a good environment,” McFadden said. “I’ve always known I wanted to run in college. I started talking to recruiters and the coach from Rider about a year ago.”
Sarah Miller will continue her volleyball career at Bloomsburg University. She is undecided on a major but is considering exercise science. Miller also considered Penn State Harrisburg, Susquehanna and Millersville.
“As soon as I walked on the campus at Bloomsburg, it felt like home, and it was the first school that gave me an offer,” Miller said. “The campus was really pretty, and I was digging it.
“I always loved playing volleyball in high school, and I got really competitive. I started getting a good amount of playing time, and I knew that’s what I wanted to continue with since I made a lot of progress throughout the years.”
Camrynn Pellegrini will continue her cheer career at West Chester University where she will major in exercise science. She also considered Delaware and the University of Pittsburgh.
“The distance was a big part of it – I did not want to be super far, so that had a pull,” Pellegrini said. “I just like the feel of the campus at West Chester more than any other school.
“I had a few injuries throughout high school, so continuing (cheer) in college was important to me, so I could have more time.”
Cole Young will continue his soccer career at Washington & Jefferson College where he will major in accounting. He also considered Duquesne and Scranton.
“I chose Washington & Jefferson because of my connection with the boys on the team, and I thought playing soccer would give me a good opportunity to meet people,” Young said. “As a freshman, I really wanted to play college soccer, but once COVID hit, I didn’t know if I wanted to pursue it. My senior year when I found out it was still an option – I thought it would be interesting to do.”
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