Seven Wildcat athletes sign NCAA National Letters of Intent…

Congratulations to the seven students who signed National Letters of Intent during Wednesday morning’s signing ceremony!

Signing an NLI means that a senior has not only been accepted to study at their NCAA college or university, but to complete for their athletics program as well. It’s an understatement to call it a big day in the life of a high school athlete!

The ceremony was emceed by Warwick Valley director of athletics and head football coach, Gregory Sirico, who welcomed an excited audience to the high school’s media center. Coach Sirico provided each student’s athletic and academic highlights, and announced the program with which they were signing. He was joined by other Wildcat coaches who spoke to the hard work, talents and achievements of their respective players.

Each athlete also got to address the crowd and, in the spirit of Thanksgiving week, all expressed gratitude for the people who have encouraged and supported them along their journeys. The ceremony culminated in the seven athletes signing their letters. A photo op followed with the student-athletes and the many proud family members and classmates (many of them teammates) who were in the room to celebrate.

Good luck in college, everyone. Go, Wildcats!

Kaitlyn Larney (Soccer/Basketball/Lacrosse)

Kaitlyn signed her NLI to attend University of Vermont (Burlington, VT). Kaitlyn was recruited by head coach Sarah Dalton to play midfield for the NCAA Division I Vermont Catamounts of the American East  Conference. Vermont competes against Binghamton, SUNY Albany, Bryant University, and UMBC. Kaitlyn was also scouted by Boston University, Lehigh, Colgate, and ECU. She expects to major in Business.

Career Highlights

• 2-time team captain
• 1st team All-Section selection for lacrosse (2023)
• Scored 85 goals for the 2023 division championship team
• 2nd team All-Section (2022)

 Academic Accomplishments

• GPA: 97.6
• National Honor Society
• New York State Public High School Athletics Association (NYSPHAA) Scholar-Athlete for soccer, lacrosse and basketball

Alyssa Dovico (Cross Country/Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field)

Alyssa signed her NLI to attend Iona University (New Rochelle, NY). Alyssa was recruited by assistant cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field coach Chris Sauer as a cross country, 5K and, eventually, 10 K runner. Iona competes in the NCAA Division I Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Iona competes against Sienna, Marist, Sacred Heart, Quinnipiac and Ryder University. Alyssa plans to study education (history or English).   

Career Highlights

• 3-time NYSPHSAA state qualifier for X-Country (2024, 2023, 2022)
• 2-time X-Country captain, 4-time team MVP
• Top-10 All-Section finisher for 4 consecutive years
• 4-time Section IX Outdoor Track place winner, 3K

Academic Accomplishments

• GPA: 100.3
• National Honor Society, Senior Class Senator
• NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete
• Army Academic All-American
• Leadership Advisory Council

Rachel Venter (Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field)

Rachel signed her NLI to attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Charlotte, NC). Charlotte competes in the NCAA Division I American Athletic Conference in Track and Field against other member schools such as South Florida, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic University, Tulane and Memphis. Rachel was recruited by head track and field coach Bob Olesen as a pole vaulter. She was also scouted by U Conn and JMU. Rachel plans to major in sports medicine.  

Career Highlights

• Freshman National Pole Vault Champion (2022) with a vault of 11’ 6”.5”
• NYSPHSAA Indoor Pole Vault runner-up  2023  12’ 3”
• Section IX top three finishes 3 consecutive years.
• Top vault 12’ 6.5” (July 2023)

Academic Accomplishments

• GPA: 100.1
• National Honor Society
• NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete
• Army Academic All-American
• Autism Awareness Club

Etta & Eva Garofalo (Softball)

Etta and Eva both signed their NLIs to attend Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ), and are known to have told recruiters that, “We want to play together. We’re a package deal!” The sisters were both recruited by head softball coach Kristen Butler — Etta to play first base and Eva at catcher and utility. The Scarlet Knights compete in the NCAA Big Ten against powerhouse programs including Michigan, Ohio State, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington. Etta plans to major in psychology and Eva plans to major in sports management.    

Etta’s Career Highlights

• 5 seasons as a varsity starter at first base since 8th grade
• Led team in batting average, slugging percentage and doubles as a sophomore
• 3-time All-Section selection
• Member of the Empire State Huskies softball club 

Etta’s Academic Accomplishments

• GPA: 99.73
• National Honor Society
• NYS Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish
• 5-time NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete
• Army Academic All-American

Eva’s Career Highlights

• 5 seasons as a varsity starter at catcher and middle infield since 8th grade
• 12 career homeruns and 91 hits to lead the team
• 3-time All-Section selection
• All-State selection as a sophomore

Eva’s Academic Accomplishments

• GPA: 99.89
• National Honor Society
• NYS Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish
• 5-time NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete
• Army Academic All-American
• Member of the Empire State Huskies softball club

Brielle Isernia (Cross-Country/Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field)

Brielle signed her NLI to attend Hofstra University (Hempstead, NY), which competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Coastal Athletic Association. Brielle was recruited by head track and field coach Vincent Giambanco as a mid distance runner (400 – 800 meters). Brielle was also scouted by St. Bonaventure, Adelphi, and the University of New Haven. She plans to major in health sciences.   

Career Highlights

• Section IX Outdoor Track 4×800 Champion as a sophomore
• 4-year member of the Indoor and Outdoor Track team, 2 years XC member)
• County and Section IX place finisher in the 4×400 and 4×800 meter relays
• Ran 4×400 at Penn 

Academic Accomplishments

• GPA: 90.0 
• Vice President of Senior Class
• Vice President SADD Club
• Interact Club member
• NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete in Cross-Country and Track & Field

Michael Molinelli (Basketball/Baseball)

Mike signed his NLI to attend St. John’s University (Queens, NY). The Red Storm competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Big East  Conference against opponents including UCONN, Villanova, Georgetown and Seton Hall. Michael was recruited by head baseball coach Mike Hampton as a middle infielder. Mike plans to major in criminal law and justice.    

Career Highlights

• 4 -year varsity baseball player
• Batted .330, led the team in stolen bases as a junior year
• Wildcats qualified for play-off tournament all three of his varsity years, and finals in 2023

Academic Accomplishments

• GPA: 91
• NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete in baseball and basketball
• Northeast Pride baseball club member