STATE COLLEGE — Fifteen State College Area High School senior student-athletes were celebrated during a signing day announcement at State High on Feb 8.
The 13 able to attend the rescheduled date — a school closure due to weather affected National Signing Day — announced their decisions alongside their families and coaches. A number of sports and colleges were represented, and each student-athlete had his or her own successes. But, they all shared one thing: Each is an honor student at State High.
The students who signed on to compete on the university level include:
■ Tally Brown, diving, University of Missouri
A diver for State High, Brown was unable to attend the event. SCAHS assistant athletics director Loren Crispell stepped in to make Brown’s announcement.
“Tally is a really interesting story,” said Crispell. “Tally had to work really hard just to be able to compete with our team. She was a virtual student and had to go through a lot of work with the PIAA just to be allowed to participate with our team.
“She has committed to the University of Missouri, obviously a SEC school with a great program down there, and we’re looking forward to seeing her do great things.”
■ Matthew Tomczuk, baseball, Lynchburg College
Tomczuk also was unable to attend the event.
Playing second base for State High, Tomczuk earned a First Team Mid-Penn Commonwealth selection and an All-Mid-Penn honorable mention. He will be taking his talents to Lynchburg, Va., to play as a Hornet.
■ Taylor Givens, track, Penn State University
Givens won many awards during her high school career, including seven District 6 titles and six state medals. She was also a two-time Second Team All-State selection, a four-time USATF All-American and a part of two State High record-setting relay teams.
In her speech, Givens announced she plans on majoring in accounting at Penn State.
■ Drew Friberg, baseball, Princeton University
Friberg found a lot of 3s in his career, and not only on the basketball court. Friberg is the third-highest all-time leading scorer in State High basketball history, a three-time All-Mid Penn selection, a third team All-State selection and the District 6 MVP.
Friberg chose Princeton for its academics, as well as the basketball team, and is looking forward to fighting to make the NCAA tournament.
■ Brandon Clark, football, Penn State University
A preferred walk-on for the Nittany Lions for the fall of 2018, Clark earned the offer with his performance for State High’s maroon and gray.
A team captain at wide receiver his senior year, Clark was selected to First Team All-State, First Team Western Pennsylvania and First Team Mid-Penn Conference honors, as well as earning a Big 33 nomination. After a huge season, Clark solidified himself as the all-time leading receiver in State High football history.
Clark announced he plans on majoring in business.
■ Ava Michael, soccer, Penn State University, Behrend
A 2017 team captain playing on the back line for the State High girls’ soccer team, Michael earned four district championships and a Second Team All-Mid-Penn selection.
She has the opportunity to start during her freshman year for Behrend, where she plans on majoring in psychology.
“Their whole back line just graduated and I play defense, so the coach thinks I’ll be a good asset coming into the program,” said Michael.
“I hope to help them win more conference championships. They’ve won a lot, so I hope to continue that.”
■ Jackson Heasley, football, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Heasley is looking forward to going to college in the same town where he grew up. as well as playing football for the Crimson Hawks.
Heasley was selected to First Team All-State, First Team All-Mid-Penn, First Team Western Pennsylvania and First Team All-PennLive. He also was a team captain this past season.
He plans on majoring in business.
■ Collin DeBoef, football, Penn State University
DeBoef will join his brother Adam, a former State High offensive lineman, on the Penn State football team in the fall.
DeBoef earned a First Team Mid-Penn Conference selection and a First Team All-PennLive selection during his time at State High. He also won the Dick Morgan Sportsmanship Award.
“It really is a dream come true,” said DeBoef. “At my mom’s house, I could look out my bedroom window and see the sun shine over Beaver Stadium. We always used to play NCAA videogames and make yourself a Penn State player. It just really is a dream.”
DeBoef plans on majoring in environmental chemistry.
■ Emily Lieb, softball, Middlebury College
A pitcher for State High, Lieb earned two tournament championship game MVP nods and a Judge Sharp Memorial Award over her four years in high school.
She also excelled in academics, with four years of highest honors and membership in the National Honor Society.
Lieb hopes to major in biology with a minor in national studies, but her plans may change.
■ Brandon Lingenfelter, baseball, Lock Haven University
Lingenfelter took the mound for the Little Lions on the way to a district championship over his four years at State High. He also earned three Perfect Game All-Tournament selections.
He plans on studying physical education during his time as a Bald Eagle.
“The program’s amazing; the school’s amazing,” said Lingenfelter. “Physical education is one of their best things there. I know a lot of teachers here have gone there.”
■ Paul Olivett, football, Marist College
Olivett is heading to New York to play for the Marist College Wolves football team.
Over the last four years playing on the Little Lions’ secondary as a safety, Olivett was selected to two All-Mid Penn Conference teams.
According to his coaches, Marist is lucky to have Olivett — as long as they don’t ask him to call the coin flip.
■ Caroline Paterno, lacrosse, St. Bonaventure University
A Brine All-American selection, Paterno was a star on the Little Lions’ lacrosse team. Her coach spoke very highly of her.
“Caroline is one of the most enthusiastic athletes I’ve ever worked with,” said coach Roger Dunlap. “She’s always smiling. … Caroline has a motor that doesn’t stop. She could be pouring sweat and hurting, and when it’s time to go she’s up and smiling saying, ‘Let’s go, let’s go.’”
Paterno will be starting the pre-med program in the fall.
■ Payton Porter, soccer, Penn State University Behrend
Porter announced she will join teammate Ava Michael on Penn State Behrend’s women’s soccer team. A four-time district champion, Porter was selected to the Second Team All-Mid-Penn.
This past season, Porter led the team in goals, with 13, and assists, with four.
She plans on majoring in marketing, with a focus on sports marketing.
■ Joel Prisk, bowling, Notre Dame College
Though the PIAA doesn’t include bowling, Prisk went to State High while bowling in tournaments outside of school. He also plans on joining the golf team at Notre Dame College, where he will major in criminal justice.
■ Simon Smith, soccer, Juniata College
Smith won three district championships, as well as the Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division championship, during his career at State High.
He will join the Eagles of Juniata College to continue playing the sport he loves while staying close to home. He plans on majoring in wildlife conservation.
