As we all know, the school years of 2020 and 2021 have been taxing and difficult not only for staff but students as well. Sports have been restricted, dances and events have been postponed or canceled, and navigating the world of online learning has been extremely difficult.

Although, some students have not lost their faith and persevered through these years. As seniors, their commitments will not go unrecognized. 

When you care about your work and your sport in high school, some students have the determination to continue their sport throughout college. 

This year, the Athletic Department held their 12th annual College-Bound Student-Athlete Recognition Reception on June 4.

25 seniors have chosen to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

These athletes include:

• Emily Carter for Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country at Oklahoma State University
• Lauren Caye for Softball at Seton Hall University in New Jersey
• Eric Chalus for Baseball at Kent State University in Ohio
• Sawyer D’Andrea for Baseball at Bethany College in West Virginia
• Michael Francus for Men’s Soccer at Waynesburg University
• Jimmy Gasper for Baseball at St. Vincent College
• Kirsten Gross for Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country at California University of Pennsylvania
• Shane Hamel for Baseball at Penn State University – Wilkes Barre
• Alex Hardinger for Football at Mercyhurst University
• Abby Karstensen for Women’s Soccer at Muskingum University in Ohio
• Allison Kurtz for Cheer at Robert Morris University
• Larry Kusan for Baseball at Davis and Elkins College in West Virginia
• Madison Love for Women’s Swimming and Diving at Ohio Wesleyan University
• Megan Malecki for Women’s Track and Field at Millersville University
• Teagan Mehalko for Women’s Soccer at Mercyhurst University
• Reagan Milliken for Softball at Ohio State University
• Emily Momchilovich for Softball at Chatham University
• Jason Muench for Football at Grove City College
• Delaney Nagy for Softball at the University of Connecticut
• John Niccoli for Men’s Lacrosse at Lake Forest College in Illinois
• Alexa Psotka for Women’s Beach Volleyball at the College of Charleston in South Carolina
• Zach Sackett for Baseball at Geneva College
• Gianna Sciullo for Softball at Georgetown University in Washington DC
• Olivia Westphal for Women’s Basketball at Duquesne University
• Logan Wright for Men’s Basketball at Penn College of Technology

Bethel Park Alumni (’17) Nino Bonacorrsi was the guest speaker at the reception.

Bonaccorsi was a two-time WPIAL champion and two-time state runner-up in wrestling while a Black Hawk.

Now a Pitt Panther, Bonaccorsi represented Pitt wrestling in the 197-pound final at the 2021 NCAA Championships in March in St. Louis.

Recently, he also won the 92-kilogram freestyle title at the United World Wrestling Under-23 National Championships. He will represent his country at the UWW U23 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia in November of 2021.

At the ceremony, Bonaccorsi spoke to the 2021 seniors about transitioning from high school to collegiate-level athletics. His advice stressed the importance of mindfulness about students’ work and appreciation for the opportunities that will come in the future. 

We wish good luck and much success to all seniors continuing their sport in college!