8 Athletes Commit on National Signing Day

Eight members of the Woodstock Academy senior class announced on Wednesday where they will be headed next.

The announcements came on the traditional National Signing Day of Nov. 13 although there were some changes.

Gone are the National Letters of Intent that student-athletes used to sign, replaced by a financial aid agreement provided by colleges.

For some, it was a little anti-climactic.

Baseball standout Brady Ericson had announced some time ago that he had verbally committed to play Division-I ball for UConn.

“It’s nice to say that, now, it’s official. It’s been a long-time coming. I made the verbal commitment a year and a half ago and it’s nice to finally sign the papers,” Ericson said,

The pitcher/outfielder helped lead the Centaurs to the Class L baseball state championship a year ago.

He finished with a .305 batting average with three home runs and 24 driven in.

The big lefthander also sported an 0.73 earned run average to go with a 9-0 record and 92 strikeouts in 57 innings.

Emily Jurnovoy also made her choice known last year that she planned to attend Auburn University for equestrian.

“It’s very nice, I’m very excited. I love the campus, I love the coaches and the team is just incredible,” Jurnovoy said.

Five of those who attended the fall signing play the sport of soccer.

Freya Robbie’s parents brought just about all the Indiana State bling they could find to help her celebrate her big day.

“The coaching staff reached out to me and I just fell in love with everything about the campus when I went to see it. The coaching staff was everything that I was looking for,” Robbie said.

Robbie, along with Leah Costa, then quickly packed up and got ready to head out to a Class L girls soccer state tournament match against Sacred Heart Academy.

Costa was also on hand as she will play soccer for Southern New Hampshire University.

“The coaches reached out to me last December and it’s always been on my mind. I love the campus, everything is brand new, and I have had family members go to Southern New Hampshire. Everything there is great,” Costa said.

Costa led the Centaurs with 21 goals up to the semifinals on Wednesday.

Bella Mawson will play soccer for Trevecca Nazarene in Nashville, TN.

“I was googling colleges and I reached out, sent them my highlight reel, visited the campus and was just praying that I felt peace on campus,” Mawson said.

On the prep side, two of the Centaurs will be playing Division I soccer next fall.

Jude Essuman will continue his career in New Jersey at Rutgers.

“From the beginning, (Rutgers) was the first school that showed a lot of interest in me. They have been chasing me for two years. I think it’s a better place and a perfect place for me to be. I went on a visit and felt really excited and everyone seemed to love me so it felt like home,” Essuman said.

For Ajani Banton, his future rests in Bethlehem, PA., home of LeHigh University.

“When I went to visit, the coaching staff was very communicative. They showed they wanted me not only as a player but a student and the campus is great. I think LeHigh is the perfect fit for me,” Banton said.

Juliet Allard also plays soccer but she will hang up those cleats to run track at Quinnipiac University in Hamden.

“When I was looking at other schools, I was looking mostly close to home. I knew that is somewhere that I wanted to be if I ever need to go home, I can,” Allard said. “Quinnipiac was one of the first schools that I began talking to, really good, constant communication with them. I had such a wonderful experience on my visit there.”