A dozen local high school athletes have committed to college scholarships by their signing national letters of intent.
At Salesianum, Breidy Breidenbach, Jerry Temple and Matthew Blake signed their letters during a brief ceremony.
Breidenbach, who pitched Salesianum to the baseball state championship last spring, signed with West Chester University. Breidenbach, of Brandywine Hundred, is the son of Frederic and Trish Breidenbach.
Like most scholar athletes, Breidenbach decided on West Chester because he felt it had the right combination of sports, academic and location.
“I’ll be ready to go because of the worth ethic Salesianum prepares you for,” he said.
Temple of Pike Creek signed to play golf for the University of Delaware. Temple has been on the golf team since he was a freshman, and the team won four straight state championships. He also won the individual state championship in 2007. He is the son of Jerry Sr. and Mary Temple.
Not only does Temple like the golf program at UD, he’s also interested in its engineering program.
“Being close to home is pretty much what sold it to me,” he said. “I just love the campus. It’s a great place.”
Blake signed to play tennis with Mount St. Mary’s College. Blake has been one of the top first singles tennis players in the state the last three years. He helped Salesianum to a second place finish last year. He is the son of Marianne and Timothy Blake of Garnett Valley, Pa..
At Padua Academy, Erika Szymanski signed to play softball with the University of Rhode Island. Szymanski led Padua to the state tournament last year. She is the daughter of Marilou and Edward Szymanski of Brandywine Hundred.
“I love the beach. That’s one of the main reasons [for URI]. I love the coach, and the school’s just gorgeous,” Erika Szymanski said. “And they have a great academic program.”
Szymanksi’s catcher, Danielle LaVere, has played with Szymanski since they were in fourth grade with Talleyville Travel and also in junior high at St. Mary Magdalene.
“I’m so happy for her,” LaVere said. “Hardcore intensity – that’s what she’s going to bring."
Charter School of Wilmington senior Beau Jones signed to attend the University of Delaware to play men's lacrosse. As a team co-captain, Jones was named First Team All-State his junior season after receiving Second Team All-State honors his sophomore year at Charter.
Jones has helped Charter teams make the state tournament semi-final round each of the last two years.
After consideration of several schools, including Hofstra, Towson, Ohio State, and Bucknell, Beau chose UD, not only on their academic programs, but also based on their good coaching and quality players, recent lacrosse team's success of going to the NCAA Final Four in 2007, and plans for upgraded facilities.
Jones is the son of Cheri and Bruce Jones of Greenville, both UD graduates.
At St. Mark’s High School, Tessa Ziemba, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ziemba of Wilmington signed to play softball for Hofstra. Ryan McCallin, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Darryl McCallin of West Grove, Pa. signed to play baseball for Georgia Southern University. Courtney Schweizer signed to play women’s lacrosse at Johns Hopkins. Schweizer is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Schweizer of Newark.
Tatnall lacrosse standout Joe Fragomele signed his letter of intent Tuesday to attend the University of Delaware. Fragomele is the son of Joe Joseph and Gia Fragomele.
At St. Elizabeth High School, Kaitlyn Cialini signed a letter of intent today to play softball at the University of Maryland in College Park. Now in her fourth year as a starting pitcher, the Lady Vikings’ softball captain has distinguished herself on the diamond, in the classroom and in the community. She is the daughter of Fran and Dave Cialini of New Castle.
At Hodgson Vo-Tech, Lauren Szymanski signed a letter of intent to play softball for Wilmington University. Szymanski is the daughter to Kevin and Cheryl Szymanski of Middletown.
Ursuline senior Kelley Doogan signed a letter of intent to play Division I basketball at St. Francis University. This will be Doogan’s fourth year on Ursuline’s basketball team. She is the daughter of Sean and Patty Doogan.
Red Lion Christian Academy pitcher Katie Warrington signed to play for
Liberty University. She is the daughter of Edward and Amy Warrington
of Townsend.
