Bellport High School recently celebrated a special milestone for 21 seniors who officially committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.
Family members, friends, coaches and school administrators gathered for a signing day ceremony honoring the student-athletes and their accomplishments both in the classroom and on the field of play. Each student signed a certificate symbolizing their commitment to their future schools, marking the next chapter in their athletic journeys.
The South Country Central School District congratulated all 21 seniors and recognized the hard work and dedication that helped them reach this achievement.
Three members of the baseball program will continue their careers, with Robert Ariola heading to Suffolk County Community College, Preston Collins committing to the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Patrick Dunbar signing with SUNY Farmingdale.
Bellport's successful girls track and cross-country programs saw four athletes commit, including Ava Cooley to SUNY Brockport, Shania Creary to the University of South Dakota and Arielle Ross and Grace Trani, who will both attend Molloy University.
In tennis, Kourtney Gaynor and Leah Rothe will continue their careers at SUNY Cortland.
The boys lacrosse team will send Tristan Owen and Brennan Pluth to SUNY Farmingdale, while girls lacrosse standout Cassidy Hanley committed to Southern Connecticut State University and Kyran Murphy signed with Gannon University.
Justine Dickinson will continue her volleyball career at Hartwick College.
Bellport's girls soccer program also had a strong showing on signing day. Jesslene Garcia committed to Mercy University, Meghan Maragioglio will attend Ithaca College, Madelyn Schmidt signed with Southern Connecticut State University and Leah Velazquez will continue her career at Bridgewater College.
On the wrestling mats, Jason Garcia will compete for Roger Williams University, while girls wrestlers Aaliyah Morrow and Sidney Yablon will continue their careers at the University of South Dakota and Springfield College, respectively.
The ceremony celebrated not only athletic excellence, but also years of hard work and dedication. Bellport's future college athletes now look forward to representing their schools at the next level.