By Brian FeesSouthern Tier Sports Report
HORSEHEADS — The Horseheads Blue Raiders recently held the first of two signings for athletes who will be competing at the Division III/Juco level in college.
There were 13 athletes recognized on the signing.
BRODY LIDDY — SUNY POLYTECH INSTITUTE BASEBALL
Helped the Horseheads Blue Raiders to back-to-back sectional titles the past two years, and a STAC Championship a season ago.
GAVIN WERT — ALFRED STATE BASEBALL
Helped the Horseheads Blue Raiders to back-to-back sectional titles the past two years, and a STAC Championship a season ago.
BROOKLYN MOFFE — SUNY CORTLAND GOLF
Posted the top scoring average in the section this year to help Horseheads go unbeaten and win the Section IV championship. It was a back-to-back title for the Blue Raiders.
“I like the vibe of campus,” Moffe said of Cortland. “And, it’s not too far from home, but it’s close enough that I could go visit on the weekend if I wanted to.”
For the Horseheads senior it’s special to keep competing in the sport.
“I’m super excited to keep going with what I love to do,” she said. “It’s going to be super fun, super memorable and I’m super excited for the next four years.”
GRACIE RINGER — ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY SWIMMING
A key member of the Blue Raiders swimming and diving team that’s won every match during her career. Was a state qualifier as part of the Blue Raiders state relays this year.
CAEL OWEN — LYCOMING COLLEGE WRESTLING AND CROSS COUNTRY
Owen has had a successful career for the Blue Raiders, helping to turn Horseheads into a perennial Section 4 power.
Now, the coaches’ son will get a chance to wrestle at one of the more prestigious Division III programs around.
“It was closer to home and there was more opportunity for me there,” Owen said of Lycoming. “The history is going to be amazing to be a part of it and hopefully carry on the legacy on there.”
While Owen loves wrestling, he couldn’t say goodbye to cross country and he’ll do both in college.
“I couldn’t give up cross country,” he said. “It was more of a difficult choice between them. I love wrestling, but it is going to be good to get in shape before.”
HAILEY BERRY — ELMIRA COLLEGE WOMEN’S WRESTLING
After being part of the first girls’ wrestling program at Horseheads the Blue Raiders senior will be a part of just the third-year for the Elmira College program.
“I was just in love with their program,” she said. “It’s a great program and I’m excited to go there. It’s very exciting. As a first-year athlete doing wrestling, I’m super excited to be going to Elmira.”
It was special to be part of a signing day with all the other Horseheads athletes.
“It was great, I had a lot of fun,” she said.
JACOB FIFIELD — ONONDAGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE MEN’S LACROSSE
The Blue Raiders goalie is excited to get a chance to play for a strong JUCO program.
“Just how good their lacrosse team has been over the years,” he said. “The program over the years and what good history they have.”
It was special to sign on at the same day as three of his high school lacrosse teammates.
“It’s very cool, our team has always been great and it’s just great to share this moment with my teammates,” he said.
MARSHALL WINKKY — RIT MEN’S LACROSSE
For Winkky RIT, who won the past two national titles in D3 before this year, just seemed like the right fit.
“It was a combination of a lot of factors,” he said. “I went up there and visited, I liked the coaches, I loved the coaching staff. They brought me in the locker room and the boys there are great, it’s like a family atmosphere. It’s just great.
“I wanted that high level lacrosse, but I wasn’t really looking for a D1 program, so a lot of things came together.
It’s going to be special for Winkky to compete at the collegiate level and it was special having a signing day with his teammates.
“It’s awesome, I love those boys, it’s been a long time coming,” Winkky said. “You grow up from kindergarten watching all of these older guys play, watching the national championship that was just going on. You look up to those guys like they are super heroes. It’s crazy it’s come this far and now you go and play at that level.”
PATRICK KARABAICH — SUNY OSWEGO MEN’S LACROSSE
The Horseheads senior is ready to get to play at the collegiate level.
“I’m very excited,” he said.
And, he’ll have his teammate, and friend, Elston with him in college.
“It’s nice to know I’m already going to get along with somebody, we have been friends forever,” he said.
It was special being part of the senior day, though saying goodbye to some of his teammates is tough.
“It’s been so good,” he said. “I’m going to miss these boys so much I have grown up with them and played with most of these kids since kindergarten.”
GARRETT ELSTON — SUNY OSWEGO MEN’S LACROSSE
Elston will room with his high school teammate Karabaich at the collegiate level.
“I think we are both really excited,” Elston said. “We are rooming together, it should be fun. We are both ready t compete and get after it next year and I think it should be fun.”
Elston really liked the Oswego program.
“I just really like the culture of Oswego lacrosse and I really like the campus and the school and it made it really easy for me to make my decision,” he said. “I am very excited, I like competing and I like the competition that college lacrosse brings.”
VANESSA STEVENS — JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S LACROSSE
The Blue Raiders standout really liked John Carroll when she made a visit there and realized it was a good fit.
“When I went to visit I really liked it,” she said. “It’s like 20 minutes from Cleveland, so it’s a really good drive. It’s a great area. The girls I connected with really well and the campus I really loved.”
Having a signing day with her friends, and one of her teammates, was special.
“It was really good, especially signing with Abby,” Stevens said. “I have played with her since youth league and all these other lacrosse boys, I have gone to their youth games and everyone else. It’s super special, senior year, it’s something fun we can have senior year.”
While her time in Horseheads was special the Blue Raider senior is ready for what’s next.
“I am super excited,” she said. “It was a great ride here at Horseheads, but I’m excited to take it to the next level and play with some girls from different areas and even some girls from Florida, so I’m really excited.”
ABIGAIL MAY — SUSQUEHANNA UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S LACROSSE
The starting goalie for the Blue Raiders, has been a key member of the team for several seasons. Anchored the Blue Raiders defense as they reached the sectional final this year after winning five straight sectional titles.
MARY BENJAMIN — ELMIRA COLLEGE CHEERLEADING
Growing up Benjamin always saw the Elmira College cheer program and wanted to be part of it.
“I’m very excited,” she said. “I’ve always known I wanted to go to Elmira College. I’ve been a part of their youth programs and everything, so I’m excited.”
Two years ago the Soaring Eagles won the national title and Benjamin hopes to help Elmira College do the same thing again.
“I’m excited to go to Florida with them, compete with them and hopefully win another national championship,” she said.
It was special for Benjamin to be part of the signing day.
“It’s awesome, growing up with all these people and seeing we are all going to college,” she said. “It’s kind of sad, but awesome we are all going to do athletics.”
——
PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES
