State High Athletes Announce College Destinations

At a signing day ceremony this week, 13 State College Area High School seniors announced the colleges and universities where they will continue their athletic and academic careers.

Joined by families and coaches, the students celebrated their choices on Thursday afternoon at the high school. National Signing Day was Wednesday, but the ceremony was delayed after schools were closed for a snow day.

Two more student-athletes — Tally Brown and Matt Tomczuk — were unable to attend the ceremony but were recognized as part of the program.

“The athletic department talks about shared success. That’s something we keep on repeating and talk about with our teams,” Athletic Director Chris Weakland said.

“This really is a great celebration of shared success. We’re not just talking about what has occurred on the court, or in the water, or on the field. We’re talking about everything that has led up to this moment. Shared success starts in the classroom, as well as at home, with your friends, in the community.”

The students announcing their decisions, along with their sports and college choices were:

– Tally Brown | Diving | University of Missouri

– Matt Tomczuk | Baseball | Lynchburg College

– Taylor Givens | Track | Penn State

– Drew Friberg | Basketball | Princeton

– Brandon Clark | Football | Penn State

– Ava Michael | Soccer | Penn State Behrend

– Jackson Heasley | Football | Indiana University of Pennsylvania

– Collin DeBoef | Football | Penn State

– Emily Lieb | Softball | Middlebury College

– Brandon Lingenfelter | Baseball | Lock Haven University

– Paul Olivett | Football | Marist College

– Caroline Paterno | Lacrosse | St. Bonaventure University

– Payton Porter | Soccer | Penn State Behrend

– Joel Prisk | Bowling | Notre Dame College

– Simon Smith | Soccer | Juniata College