Riverhead High School senior Amanda Graziano has signed to play both softball and field hockey at Mercy College, a Division II College in Dobbs Ferry, NY.
Originally, Graziano was going to play only softball at Mercy, but after a successful field hockey season, she decided to try out for the field hockey team after consulting with the softball coach in hopes of getting more scholarship money.
“When I went there, I fell in love with the school,” said Graziano. “It’s right on the Hudson River so it’s really beautiful. I fell in love with both teams and the coaches and the fact that I could play both sports really attracted me there.”
She was awarded two athletic scholarships, one for each sport, and an academic scholarship.
Graziano will major in physical therapy.
Most student-athletes can barely manage one sport and academics, so to play two sports requires complete commitment.
“I’ve heard that it’s going to be tough (to play two sports),” said Graziano. “If it comes to be a problem, I don’t really have to play both but I’m hoping it will work out so that I can.”
Graziano, a three-year varsity starting pitcher, hopes to continue to pitch in college.
“I am hoping I’m going to be pitching but I’m not really sure,” said Graziano. “Mercy is going to have a varsity and junior varsity team for the first time next year so there is a whole bunch of freshman coming in. There is definitely going to be competition — but I got it.”
Aside from her parents, who have been by her side every step of the way, the next greatest influence in Graziano’s career was Riverhead coach Bob Fox.
“Even though he’s always yelled at me, it made me stronger,” said Graziano. “He put his faith in me when others didn’t.”
Photo caption: Principal David Wicks, Assistant softball coach Dave Mckillop, Head coach Bob Fox, Guidance counselor Christopher Martin, Director of Athletics Bill Groth, Mother & Father, John and Diane Graziano. RiverheadLOCAL photo by Michael Hejmej.
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