By Meghan Byrnes and Morgan Brang
Editors-in-Chief
Year after year, numerous athletes from Jamesville-DeWitt High School decide to continue pursuing athletics in college. For those athletes who play for a Division I or Division II school, there is a signing ceremony where the athletes sign their National Letter of Intent, officially confirming their plans to play at a certain college or university. On Thursday, Nov. 13, four J-DHS athletes signed their letters of intent.
All four of the athletes who signed on this day were senior boys. Two of the four athletes, seniors Xander Ferlenda and Jake Binder, are planning to play baseball at the collegiate level. The other two, seniors Ryan Durkin and Joe Morgan, plan to play lacrosse at the next level. All four athletes had the same feeling of happiness and relief after officially signing to their selected schools.
Durkin will be playing lacrosse at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Penn. Because the recruiting process can be lengthy and complicated, Durkin felt relieved after signing. “It was a long process and I’m glad it’s over with,” he said. Despite the tough process of recruitment, Durkin could not be happier with his choice, because he feels that the school is a good fit for him in every aspect. “Academically it is a really competitive school, athletically I really like the coaches and all the players, and overall it was just a really fun place to be,” he said.
Morgan is also very excited to play lacrosse at the college level but at Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass. After offically siging his name on his letter of intent, Morgan felt instant happiness. “It was such a great feeling because lacrosse makes me feel good about myself,” he said. Morgan knew from the moment he stepped on the campus that Merrimack College was the one for him. “I just got this great vibe from the people and the campus,” said Morgan.
Binder will continue his baseball career at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn. “The pitching coach really convinced me to play here,” said Binder. Another reason Binder chose Farfield University is because of the business program they have to offer him. The academic programs offered at Fairfield are important to Binder, but the opportunity to continue playing baseball is an added bonus. “Baseball has been my passion ever since I was little and I can’t wait to start to play at the collegiate level.”
Ferlenda will take his talents to St. Bonaventure University in St. Bonaventure, NY. He too feels relieved to have officially signed, saying that he feels more laid back since signing. Ferlenda’s choice to play baseball at the next level was based on the fact that it opened up more college options for him. “It gives you more opportunities to go to a good college,” said Ferlenda about playing a sport in college. St. Bonaventure was the only school that Ferlenda really looked at, so he felt it was the right choice for him.