By Jason Klaiber

Staff Writer

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School Athletic Department held a press conference for eight seniors who signed national letters of intent to play college sports.

In the high school’s athletic hall of fame, near the main gymnasium, the grouping of student-athletes stepped to the podium one at a time to share roughly minute-long speeches.

The athletes thanked family members, friends, coaches they played under through the years, their teammates and their future college coaches.

Katie Cappelletti will be playing Division I women’s soccer at St. Joseph’s University.

Grace Dimkopoulos will play Division I women’s soccer at Siena College.

Joshua Duby and Connor Durkin will both play Division I men’s lacrosse at Hobart College.

“I’ve been wanting to play college lacrosse my whole life, and to finally get the opportunity to play at the D-I level is just a dream come true,” Durkin said.

Isabella Ferlenda will play Division II women’s volleyball at LeMoyne College.

Riley LaTray will play Division I women’s lacrosse at Niagara University.

“It’s just so nice to be a part of a community for the next four years and to get to play the sport I love,” LaTray said.

Alexis LeClair will play Division I women’s volleyball at Fairfield University.

“It was so special that I got to sign next to all of my friends,” LeClair said. “I’m so excited that it’s official. Words can’t describe it.”

Gabby Stickle will play Division II women’s basketball at the University of New Haven.

“Don’t forget what you’ve learned in the classrooms,” John Goodson, the director of health services, physical education and athletics, said to the signees at the event. “Don’t forget what you’ve learned on the playing field, and just go be yourselves. You have the skills. You know what you need to do to succeed.”