M-W High School varsity athletes commit to colleges

CENTRAL VALLEY — Eight Monroe-Woodbury High School varsity athletes signed national letters of intent during a ceremony at Monroe-Woodbury High School with friends, family and members of the Monroe-Woodbury administration and staff in attendance.
“What a great day for Monroe-Woodbury Athletics! Congratulations to our student athletes who have signed their National Letters of Intent,” M-W Director of Athletics Lori Hock said in a press release announcing the signings. “We are so proud of their athletic and academic accomplishments and wish them the best of luck at their respective schools next year. Thank you for being such positive representatives of the Monroe-Woodbury Central School District.”
Katie Benson, soccerIona College, New Rochelle
Career Highlights:
• NCAA Division I
• Two-time Times Herald-Record first team
• Two-time Section 9 Champion
• All section team (junior year)
• NY Sportswriters all star six team, Section 9 exceptional senior
M-W coach: William Mpasiakos
“I want to thank my mom and dad for always pushing me and all my coaches who saw my potential and kept me focused,” said Benson.
Annabella Campagna, soccerPace University, Pleasantville
Major: Digital Journalism
Career Highlights:
• Two-time Section 9 Champion
M-W coach: William Mpasiakos, Leslie Ahlborn, Elaine Schellberg
“I wish to thank my amazing family. My parents, Chuck and Lynda, have been the most encouraging parents I could ever ask for. They have pushed me when I thought I would give up and never gave up on me. They always make me feel like I am capable of anything and even if I did fall, they helped me get back up with their love and support. As well as my parents, my siblings, Bradley, Olivia and Julia are my best friends and are amazing role models. I wouldn’t have gotten this far without them,” said Campagna.
Brianna DeGennaro, track and fieldSacred Heart University, Fairfield, Conn.
Major: Undecided Business
Career Highlights:
• Part of 4 x 200 meter relay and 55 meter dash – Indoor County titles and Section titles
• Part of 100/200 meter dash and 4 x 100 meter relay outdoors – County and Section Champions
• Ran in sprint medley relay at Penn Relays
• Ran in 4 x 2 at the Yale Invitational
• Outdoor New Balance Nationals 2016
M-W coach: William Mpasiakos
“I would like to thank my family for supporting me through my track and field career throughout my four years of high school. I would also like to thank Coach Mpasiakos and the rest of the track and field program for all you do for M-W girls track. Coach Mpasiakos taught me how to grow into a dedicated athlete as I grew in my years of track and field, and most importantly, showed me how to have heart for the sport,” said DeGennaro.
Brianna DeLeo, soccerManhattan College, Riverdale
Major: Psychology
Career Highlights:
• Outstanding female freshman athlete
• All American nominee
• NYS Soccer All State Second Team and Third Team
• All Regional Team – East
• Times Herald-Record All Section Team
M-W coaches: William Mpasiakos (soccer); Patrick Harris (basketball)
“I am grateful to my school coaches, Leslie Ahlborn, Elaine Schellberg and Bill Mpasiakos, for showing me different views on the game; my parents who have always been my biggest fans and never stopped believing in me; and most importantly, my club coach of 11 years, John Duffell, for undoubtedly making me into the player I am today,” said DeLeo.
Hannah Geller, soccerCollege: State University of New York at Stony Brook
Career Highlights:
• Rookie of the Year (freshman year)
• All State Second Team (senior year)
• Class AA All-Star (senior year)
• 29 goals throughout four years of high school
M-W coach: William Mpasiakos, Leslie Ahlborn, Elaine Schellberg
“First, I would like to thank my parents for the endless support and car rides to the thousands of practices and games; and my older brother Josh for making me tough. They never gave up on me and believed in my capabilities. Next, I would like to thank my club coach, Jesse Kolmel, for pushing me to a level I never thought I could reach. He helped shape me into the player I am today. No words can describe how grateful I am to have a single person care about the success I am reaching,” said Geller.
Sydney Harwood, soccerManhattan College, Riverdale
Major: Engineering
Career Highlights:
• Section 9 Champion (basketball)
• Section 9 Champion (soccer)
M-W coaches: William Mpasiakos, Leslie Ahlborn, Elaine Schellberg (soccer); Patrick Harris (basketball)
“I would like to thank my family who has dedicated so much work and time into helping me achieve this accomplishment of playing at the next level. Also my coach, John Duffell, who taught me almost everything I know about the game and who never hesitated for a second to help me along the recruiting process,” said Harwood.
Grace Incledon, soccerPace University, Pleasantville
Major: Biology
Career Highlights:
• Three-time Section 9 Champion
M-W coach: William Mpasiakos, Leslie Ahlborn, Elaine Schellberg
“Thank you to my parents for teaching me the value of hard work and for dedicating so much of their lives to my success, and to my siblings for always motivating and supporting me when I needed it,” said Incledon.
Kerry-Anne Maher, soccer
Wagner College, Staten Island
Major: Nursing
Career Highlights:
• Scholar Athlete
• Three years Varsity soccer
• Three year Section 9 Champion
M-W coach: William Mpasiakos, Leslie Ahlborn, Elaine Schellberg
“I want to thank my mom, brother and sister for always supporting me, being there for me and being my biggest fans. And, of course, all my coaches that I have had along the way, that have gotten me to where I am today and have made me the player I am,” said Maher.