Coaches Praise College-Bound Students

May 30, 2019

The 14 student-athletes committing to colleges this week are, front row left to right, Ashton Herd, Adria Retter, Cameron Cronk, Justin Flor, MacKenzie Mahler, Nathan Spak and Alyssa Lamberson. In the second row, left to right, are Justin Bennett, Will Chenoweth, Brad Bryan, Riley Davis, Jeff Royal, Matt Lucas and Corey Cope. Coaches praise college-bound students

“I’m proud to be part of that little Justin Bennett, football, Alvernia University glimpse in your life.” Brad Bryan, football, Lebanon Valley College Will Chenoweth, football, Ursinus College By Gary Weckselblatt uring Wednesday’s College Signing Ceremony Corey Cope, wrestling, Western New England University for the Class of 2019 student-athletes, the spe- Cameron Cronk, volleyball, Cairn University cial bonds that have developed between coach D Riley Davis, football, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and player, teacher and student radiated throughout the Quakertown Community High School Media Cen- Justin Flor, volleyball, Eastern University ter. Ashton Herd, football, Ithaca College As 14 of the school’s top student-athletes announced Alyssa Lamberson, cheerleading, Temple University their college choices, the passionate and prideful words of district educators were there to help lift their Matt Lucas, basketball, Cairn University students, as they had been during years of competi- MacKenzie Mahler, volleyball, Penn College of Technology tion. Adria Retter, track & field, Swarthmore College Girls track & field coach Jason Anderson, speaking about Swarthmore-bound Adria Retter, said “The op- Jeff Royall, lacrosse, Lycoming College portunity to be part of her life for the last three years Nathan Spak, swimming, University of Scranton has been a gift. As a student she has no equal, literally first in her class.” Adria, a track & field star, is a National Merit Scholar. prized student, is “How perceptive and thoughtful she She has set school records in the discus and shot put is.” Indeed. When the students were asked what type that Mr. Anderson described as “insurmountable.” of career they’d like to pursue, Adria responded: "A Perhaps what the coach will remember most about his See COLLEGE SIGNINGS on next page 1 COLLEGE SIGNINGS Continued from Page 1 career helping others." That’s how it went for the nearly hour-long event in the room packed with families, fellow students and teammates. Wrestler Corey Cope, headed to Western New England University as a finance major, has made the state’s All-Academic team for three straight years. He’s been all-league all four years at QCHS. Corey is 15th on the Panthers all-time win list with a 107-51 record; eighth on the all-time pin list with 57. “I can’t Scranton University-bound swimmer Nathan Spak is all smiles, along with his believe four years are here al- supporters, from left, Michael Peters, Superintendent Dr. Bill Harner and Tony ready,” coach Kurt Handel said. Carty following Wednesday’s College Signing Ceremony in the Media Center. “His records are going to hang in congratulated his superior effort. DeCarolis believes he can do it. the room for quite some time.” Geena Close, assistant high school “I’m super excited to see what he Football coach George Banas told volleyball coach and longtime club does at the next level,” Mr. DeCar- his five players it was a “privilege coach for MacKenzie Mahler (Penn olis said. “As a player, Matt’s al- and honor” to watch them “wear the College of Technology) was out of ways the first one in the gym, and Blue and White on Friday nights. state and couldn’t get to the cere- the last one to leave. I’m really for- I’m proud to be part of that little mony, but in a letter read by athletic tunate to coach him.” glimpse in your life.” director Sylvia Kalazs, she de- Losing Jeff Royall is certain to cre- The players are Ashton Herd, set to scribed MacKenzie as a player who ate a void on the boys lacrosse be a physical therapy major at Itha- “excelled as a setter” and is a team. Jeff, who plans to study crimi- ca College; Justin Bennett, a crimi- “dynamic player.” nology at Lycoming College, scored nal justice major at Alvernia Univer- Boys volleyball coach Andy Snyder 29 goals and had nine assists for sity (he plans to become a State called the students the “cream of the Panthers. Trooper); Brad Bryan, who will the crop,” and praised Cameron “That’s 34 percent of the team’s study actuarial science at Lebanon Cronk (Cairn University) and Justin point production,” coach Jay Donis Valley College; Will Chenoweth, Flor (Eastern University). “I’m glad said. “Jeff is a tremendous team headed to Ursinus College; and Ri- we had this experience together leader and has spent a lot of his ley Davis, majoring in mechanical and I wish you guys the best,” Mr. time helping the rest of the team.” engineering at Rensselaer Poly- Snyder said. Cameron said he’s look- technic Institute. ing forward to studying youth minis- The ceremony was the second the try. district held for student-athletes “The door is always open,” Mr. committing to college. Earlier this Banas said. He also cautioned his Quakertown’s impressive growth as year, 10 announced their college players that they have a tradition to a cheerleading program coincides choices. That’s 24 in one school uphold as 31 of his Panthers have with Alyssa Lamberson’s three year, a record according to Ms. played in college. Only one hasn’t years on the squad. With Alyssa as Kalazs, the athletic director. graduated. He expects these five to captain, the Panthers finished sixth make it 35 of 36. in the state. They also captured She said the students have select- their first district crown and have ed a diverse group of schools and Coach Tony Carty and Michael Pe- added that it shows “if you want to ters spoke of Nathan Spak like been Suburban One League champs two years in a row. “She’s compete you will find a place to go proud parents. Nathan is on his way to continue your athletic career.” to the University of Scranton to always welcome back as one of our study kinesiology. His coaches cheerleader alumni,” said coach Gary Weckselblatt, director of com- talked about his “focus, leadership Carrie Maha, who has helped build munications, writes about the peo- and drive.” Nathan recalled a meet the program with students like Alys- ple and the programs that impact where he knocked 15 seconds off sa. the Quakertown Community School his 500 freestyle time (5:14.96). Mr. Basketball player Matt Lucas plans District. He can be reached at 215- Peters said all of the opposing to be a 1,000-point scorer at Cairn 529-2028 or coaches went up to Nathan and University. Panthers coach Mike [email protected]. 2