Riverhead celebrated the signing of five students with Division I or II colleges on Friday. All will be receiving athletic/academic scholarships to their colleges.
GRACE DOW
Grace lives in Flanders and is signing to play field hockey at D-II Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. Grace is graduating with a 94.8259 (placing 62nd in her class of 351). She chose Kutztown in part because of its “amazing secondary education program,” which will be her major.
“It has been a wonderful counseling experience to work with Grace,” guidance counselor Christopher Martin said. “Grace is a young lady who is mature beyond her years. She will be missed at our high school.”
Field hockey coach, Cheryl Walsh-Edwards said, “As a four-year goalie, Grace has exhibited an excellent work ethic and a strong desire to elevate her performance as well as the performance of the others around her. She possesses strong leadership qualities and character.”
Grace was All-Division in 2016, All-County in 2017, and was a member of the Long Island All-Star Team in 2017. She had 165 saves her senior year, with an 87-pecent save rate.
ERIC CUNHA
Eric lives in Calverton and he is signing for cross country / track and field at Stony Brook University, a Division I college. He is graduating with a 96 GPA and ranks 54th in his class of 351. He plans to major in chemical engineering.
Eric is both a scholar and an athlete who, according to his guidance counselor Christopher Martin, “has the uncanny ability to perfectly balance his academic and athletic responsibilities.”
His coaches, Steve Gevinski and Justin Cobis, believe “Eric is special because he understands how to prepare both physically and mentally to dominate his opponents.” Eric was cross country All-County in winter track and is expected to be All-State in spring track.
Eric’s motto is “You’ve got what it takes, but it will take everything you’ve got.”
JULIA THOMAS
Julia lives in Wading River and she is signing to play lacrosse at D-II Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut. She is graduating with a 97.2857 GPA. Julia plans to major in Criminal Justice at Post.
“Julia is an outstanding student with a smile that brightens up a room,” said her guidance counselor Christy Salerno.
Julia also participated in soccer, volleyball and track at RHS. Her lacrosse coach Ashley Schandel, notes, “Julia is a tremendous leader, role model and asset to the growth and success of the Riverhead lacrosse program. She was a two-year captain, a starter on defense, was All-Division, and won the RHS Coaches Award for lacrosse in 2016.”
JOHN EHLERS
John lives n Riverhead and will be signing to play lacrosse at Stony Brook University. He is graduating with an 85 GPA and plans to major in business/economics at Stony Brook.
“It has been a great deal of fun watching John emerge from a ninth grader into a young man who is college-bound,” guidance counselor Christopher Martin said.
John also participated in golf, track, and cross country at RHS. He was the team’s face-off guy. According to coach Vic Guadagnino, “John is an exceptional face-off guy — one of the best in his class.” He was voted team most improved player two years in a row and is a candidate for All-County in 2017.
His motto is “Work hard in silence; let success make the noise.”
JACOB COLEMAN
Jacob lives in Riverhead and will be signing to play lacrosse at Hofstra University in Hempstead, a Division I college. He is graduating with a 91.17 GPA and plans to major in business at Hofstra.
“Jacob is a driven and motivated young man who is an outstanding role model both academically and athletically,” his guidance counselor Anastasia Cobis said.
Jacob also participated in cross country at RHS. His lacrosse coach Vic Guadagnino sees him as “an exceptional goalie; one of the best in his class. He led Long Island in saves and was All-County in 2016.”
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