TOWAMENCIN- Every year, North Penn cycles hundreds of athletes through dozens of athletic programs, but only a few will choose and be able to pursue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.  This year, North Penn recognized fourteen athletes from various sports as they signed their Letters of Intent.

SWIMMING

Noah Jamieson, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Swimming

Major: Psychology

Jamieson’s college search was a very 21st century one.

“Other schools I looked at were schools that had good swim programs and psychology programs. I really just googled which schools had which,” said Jamieson.

Thanks to Google, Jamieson was able to find his perfect match. Even though he knew he wanted to swim in college since he was younger, Jamieson didn’t focus on being recruited until last year when he thought, “Oh, if I want to do this, I have to get going now.”

Jamieson is a transfer student from Chicago, but according to coach Jeff Faikish, he fit in with the team’s expectations right away.

“When Noah first joined our program, he joined in right in stride. He is a very hard worker, and he is one of the few athletes willing to sacrifice individual efforts for the better of them team. Last year he swam on three of our relays, which takes away some individual recognition, however, it brings team recognition and team points,” said Faikish.

Megan Zartman, West Virginia University, Swimming

Major: Biology

“Megan is one of the most versatile swimmers to come through North Penn- from the 50 to the 500,” said Faikish, “She can swim in any of those events at the highest level, which is very unique for a swimmer.”

Zartman was considering Penn State, Rutgers, and Florida Gulf Coast University before picking West Virginia.

BASEBALL

“Danny Kirwin throws a baseball hard, and Hunter hits a baseball hard,” said coach Kevin Manero,”and that’s why they are playing in college. It’s that simple in the game of baseball.”

What makes Kirwin and Hamlin’s road to collegiate baseball so satisfying, is the fact that they are products of their communities.

“We have a lot of athlete’s parents spending a lot of money to go all over the place and do all these fancy things, but these guys were built from their community,” said Manero.

Danny Kirwin, Rider University, Baseball

Major: Sports Managment

Last year, Danny Kirwin was the Knight’s number one pitcher who recorded eight wins.

Kirwin was looking at Millersville, Bloomsburg, Kutztown, and Shippensburg University before choosing Rider University to continue his pitching career.

Hunter Hamlin, Chesnut Hill College, Baseball

Major: Sports Managment

“Hunter is a catcher and designated hitter. Hunter also catches the bullpens all winter long, taking balls off the mask, off the arms, picking his mask up and throwing it on the ground complaining because people are throwing balls in the dirt,” joked Manero.

Hamlin was considering Widner University, Shenandoah University, and Midamerica Nazarene before choosing Chesnut Hill.

FIELD HOCKEY

Mikayla Barrow, Appalachian State University, Field Hockey

Major: Undecided

“She is a really tough competitor, and she is one of our most mentally tough players,” said coach Shannon McCracken,”She understands the game really well, in fact, she officiates on the weekends for youth field hockey.”

Erica Kelly, Fairfield University, Field Hockey

Major: Education

Kelly was considering East Stroudsburg and Gwynedd Mercy University before choosing to play field hockey at Fairfield Univeristy.

“Erica really loves the game,” said McCracken, “She works hard to be a better player everyday.”

Bri O’Donnell, Penn State University, Field Hockey

Major: Health and Sciences

O’Donnell was looking at Boston University and James Madison University before choosing to continue her field hockey career at Penn State.

“She plays with grit and heart at all times. She is humble; she does what she can do for the team, not for the accolades,” said McCracken.

LACROSSE

Kelly Macnamara, Indiana University of PA, Lacrosse

Major: Education

Raw talent. Those are two words to describe Macnamara’s athletic ability. From football, track and field, and lacrosse, Macnamara has been a standout athlete for the Knights. After being a key member of the junior varsity lacrosse team her sophomore year and earning a spot on the varsity team last year, Macnamara’s lacrosse career is just getting started.

“Her stick skills, her shot, her game sense, everything is up here,” said coach Heather Mellow while holding her hand above her head.

Macnamara was considering Albright and East Stroudsburg before choosing Indiana University of PA to continue her lacrosse career.

CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK

Ariana Gardizy, University of Pennsylvania, Cross Country/Track

Major: Nursing

Gardizy will be continuing her athletic career at the University of Pennsylvania, a school that has a team, education, and community that is her perfect fit. Gardizy has been a power house during her years a North Penn, and she hopes to take the same success to college.

“She has been undefeated in the league for two years, that means any meet in the Suburban One League. No one has defeated her,” said coach James Crawford.

Brendan O’Toole, Bucknell University, Cross Country/Track

Major: Business Managment

“I can honestly only thing of one negative thing about Brendan, and it’s that he is a Patriots fan,” joked Track and Field coach Jay Jones, “and that’s his parents’ fault. He’s hard working, he’s tough as nails, he’s committed. He is just tapping into his talent.”

Olivia Dyer, Bucknell University, Cross Country/Track

Olivia Dyer’s running career at North Penn, while extremely successful, has been filled with many challenges to overcome.

“She has had injuries and illnesses. She kept fighting through all of that which was very difficult, but she hung in there. I give her 100% credit for doing that, many other people would have given up, but she fought through,” said Crawford.

Now, Dyer will be competing at Bucknell University to continue her running career.

WATER POLO

Maddy Koeper, LaSalle University, Water Polo

Major: Elementary Education

Koeper is an integral player on the girls’ Water Polo team; she is a part of the dual headed snake that the Knights use on attack and is a top player in the state.

Maeve Wydan, Iona College, Water Polo

Major: Elementary Education

This year, Wydan tied for the best Water Polo player in the state.

“I love the team atmosphere and the support that comes from being on an athletic team,” said Wydan about playing Water Polo in college.

Caroline Gillespie, St. Francis University, Water Polo

Major: Physical Therapy

Gillespie is a key component to the Girls’ Water Polo team’s accolades because of her work ethic everyday at practice while defending her teammates.

“Caroline Gillespie is the defender that has helped [Maddy and Maeve] raise their level of play to the top three water polo players on the offensive end in the state. It is not without that challenge that happens every single day in our pool that our team rises to winning four state championships in a row.”

Other schools that Gillespie was considering included Marist, Iona, and Wagner.