Shane Velez has garnered just about every accolade imaginable for a high school soccer player.
Among his postseason honors, the Pennridge senior was named the 2022 Pennsylvania State Coaches Association male high school player of the year. He also received United Soccer Coaches (USC) Region 2 All-American recognition and was named to the USC Fall All-America team.
On Thursday, Dec. 22, Velez closed the book on his high school career when he was one of 13 Pennridge seniors recognized for committing to play collegiate sports. The senior has signed a letter of intent to take his talents to the University of Massachusetts.
“Just to know where I’m going for college is a great feeling to be able to go play another four years,” said Velez, who also considered Messiah and Lehigh. “I had a great time in high school, and I’m expecting it to be a great time in college. Looking back on the four years I had and the friendships I’ve made and everyone I got to play with, it’s closing the door but opening another, so I’m really looking forward to the experiences I’ll have.”
For Brennan Fisher, signing one day earlier to continue his football career at the United States Military Academy West Point represented the culmination of a lot of hard work.
“It feels great finally having that relief that I have a place to go the next four years,” said Fisher, who also considered the U.S. Naval Academy and Villanova University. “I always knew I wanted to play a sport in college, and when Army came around, that’s definitely when I knew.
“High school football was a great experience across the board. I loved my teammates and coaches, and it was a great team to play for.”
Joey Tomlinson, the lone senior on the Rams’ state semifinalist squad, will continue her soccer career at Robert Morris University where she will major in special education and elementary education. The four-year varsity player was part of the Rams’ 2020 state championship squad.
“The location of the school was exactly what I was looking for,” said Tomlinson, who also considered West Chester, West Point and Point Park. “The moment I stepped on campus it felt like home. The soccer coach and team were so welcoming. I knew the city of Pittsburgh would be a perfect home away from home.”
Maggie Hayes and Zoe Sabol will also continue their soccer careers at the collegiate level. Hayes chose Michigan State University from a final list that included Iowa, Rutgers, Xavier, Eastern Kentucky, Georgetown and Tampa.
“I chose MSU mainly for the amazing coach and the relationship I have with him,” said Hayes, who stepped away from high school soccer to focus on club and extra training. “The campus is amazing, and the program is becoming a championship culture.”
Sabol, who is undecided on a major, chose Youngstown State University from a final list that included Drexel and Richmond.
“I chose Youngstown State because I love the coaches, the players and the campus and all the athletic facilities,” said Sabol, who also opted to focus on the club circuit instead of high school soccer.
Alexa Bailey and Grace Rosica will continue their lacrosse careers at the collegiate level. Bailey chose Shippensburg from a final list that included Millersville, IUP, Holy Family and Lock Haven.
“I chose Shippensburg because of the coaches, campus and academics,” said Bailey, who will major in early childhood education.
Rosica, who will major in business undecided, will continue her career at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She also considered Old Dominion, Virginia Commonwealth and West Chester.
“UMass Lowell has an up-and-coming program with great athletic and academic philosophies,” said Rosica, a four-year member of both the lacrosse and basketball teams.
Adi Garges – an all-state water polo player who was a player of the year finalist – will continue her career at Saint Francis University. She also considered Villanova, California Baptist and Mount Saint Mary’s University.
“Their exercise physiology program is outstanding,” Garges said of her major. “They are D1, they have water polo, and I loved the atmosphere. It was very welcoming.”
Reagan Bauman and Grace Helbling have committed to play collegiate softball. Bauman, who will major in exercise science, chose Shippensburg University from a final list that also included Scranton, Millersville and Kutztown.
“I loved the campus and everything it had to offer – I liked the coach, team and facilities,” said Bauman.
Helbling chose Florida International University from a final list that included Furman University, Florida Atlantic and Florida Gulf Coast. She will major in physical science/engineering.
“The campus is beautiful, and the coaches made me feel like they really wanted me,” Helbling said of choosing Florida International University. “I also always wanted to play Division I softball.”
Conor Flynn has committed to play Division I baseball at Stony Brook University where he will major in business management. He also considered George Washington University but was drawn to the winning program coach Matt Senk has built at Stony Brook.
“The coaching staff at Stony Brook is amazing, and I have a great relationship with them,” Flynn said. “The campus felt like home the first time I was there.”
Payton Muth will continue her field hockey career at West Chester University where she will major in media journalism with a minor in communications. She also considered Temple, Lock Haven and Virginia Commonwealth University.
“I like the competitive league they were in, and I loved the coach and the team,” Muth said. “It felt like the right fit.”
Jared Hess, who also excelled for the soccer team last fall, was unable to attend the signing due to a scheduling conflict. The defending indoor state triple jump champion is already leaving his mark on the indoor circuit. He will continue his track and field career at Bucknell University. He also considered Lehigh and Lafayette.
“I chose Bucknell for its strong academics and the beautiful campus,” said Hess, who will major in chemical engineering.
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