There were plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Eighteen to be exact.
That’s how many Pennridge seniors – representing 10 different sports – were recognized for committing to compete in sports at the collegiate level on Wednesday, May 22.
Three members of the Rams’ SOL National Conference championship lacrosse squad – Ryan Carickhoff, Frankie Fanelli and Matthew Kriney – will play collegiately.
Carickhoff with attend The Catholic University of America where he will major in business. He also considered St. John’s, Fairfield, St. John Fisher University, Lynchburg and Bowdoin College.
“I chose Catholic because of the location, the size of the school, the coaching staff and the members of the team,” Carickhoff said.
Fanelli will play lacrosse at Eastern University where he will major in computer science. He also considered York College and Ursinus.
“Eastern is great for my major, it’s close to home, and I’ll have the opportunity to play with my older brother, Christopher,” Fanelli said.
Kriney will continue his lacrosse career at Muhlenberg College where he will major in business/finance. He also considered the University of Tampa, Penn State, Florida Southern, Gettysburg and Ursinus.
“Muhlenberg has a great academic reputation,” Kriney said. “They have job placement and internship opportunities, and I have the opportunity to play lacrosse.”
Lindsey Campione committed to continue her field hockey career at Messiah University where she will major in nursing. She also considered The College of New Jersey and Salisbury.
“I chose Messiah because of the amazing people, the Christian community, the great nursing program and the ability to honor the Lord in every aspect of my education and athletic career,” Campione said.
Aaron Ladd and Jude Thomas Rotondo will continue their volleyball careers at Wilkes University and Belmont Abbey College respectively.
“Volleyball and civil engineering were both available at Wilkes,” said Ladd, who will major in civil engineering.
Rotondo also considered Fairleigh Dickinson University, Saint Francis University, John Fisher, Marymount and Arcadia. He will major in history/pre-law.
“Belmont Abbey is located on a Benedictine monastery in beautiful North Carolina where I can practice my Catholic faith, play against Division I teams like Hawaii but also have small university vibes,” Rotondo said,
Matthew Atchley will continue his baseball career at Shenandoah University where he will major in finance/economics.
“I chose Shenandoah for the athletics and major I wanted being available,” Atchley said.
Patrick Fannon will attend Wheaton College in Massachusetts where he will continue his soccer career.
“I chose this school because of the academics, the soccer program and the location,” said Fannon, who is undecided on a major.
Cole Coffin and Ryan Gallagher will continue their wrestling careers at Bloomsburg and Gettysburg College, respectively.
Coffin chose Bloomsburg where he will have the opportunity to wrestle at the Division I level. His final list included Clarion, Millersville, Rider and TCNJ.
“I chose Bloomsburg because it’s close to home, it has my major, good people and a fun environment,” said Coffin, who will major in finance.
Gallagher also considered Hofstra and Shippensburg.
“I chose Gettysburg for the bond between the team,” said Gallagher, who will major in health sciences.
Sam Kuhns and Sam Mueller will remain teammates as both will continue their football careers at The College of New Jersey.
Kuhns, who will major in electrical engineering, also considered Widener and Wilkes.
“I love the campus and coaches, and it’s a great school,” Kuhns said of TCNJ.
Mueller also considered Ithaca, Franklin & Marshall and Rochester.
“(TCNJ) has good academics, and it’s a good school,” said Mueller, who will major in biology on the pre-med track.
Abigail Huskin will play basketball at Moravian University where she will major in chemistry and secondary education. She also considered Millersville, Kutztown and Lancaster Bible College.
“Moravian is close to home, and I loved the community feel,” Huskin said.
Jenna Gagliardi, Karissa Hufnagle and Marissa Rogers will play collegiate soccer.
Gagliardi will major in exercise science at Chestnut Hill College. She also considered Neumann University and King’s College.
“It has a beautiful campus,” said Gagliardi of Chestnut Hill. “It has a good coach and a good soccer team, and I liked the players.”
Hufnagle will play soccer at Gettysburg College where she will major in biochemistry. She also considered Saint Francis University and the University of Scranton.
“I chose Gettysburg for my academic major, the size of the school and the soccer team,” Hufnagle said.
Rogers will continue her soccer career at Delaware Valley University where she will major in marketing. She also considered Ursinus and DeSales.
“(Del Val) is a really good school for my major,” Rogers said. “I want to get my MBA, so the 4+1 program is very beneficial to me. I also really like the environment, the soccer coach and the girls.”
Michael Muiruri and Grayson Kerzmann will continue their track and field careers. Kerzmann, who excels in long distance events, will also compete in cross country at Moravian University where he will major in nursing.
Muiruri chose Grace College from a final list that also included Cedarville, Moody Bible Institute and Taylor University.
“Grace College has great coaches that you have a well-developed relationship with,” Muirui said. “It also supported me financially.”
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