Eight Mepham seniors sign with college teams

Most high schools have but a handful of student-athletes who go on to play sports in college. This year, Mepham High School has eight.

Mepham recently held a ceremony at which the student-athletes signed their letters of intent to play in college. “This is the largest signing we’ve had since I have been here,” said Mepham Principal Michael Harrington. “It just makes us very proud. This is a wonderful day.”

According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association, 2 to 4 percent of high school athletes play in college.

Below are profiles of each of the student-athletes.

ToniMarie Valeriano
Age: 16
Hometown: Bellmore
Sport: Softball
Will attend: Queens College
Number of years
playing at Mepham: Four
Travel team: Long Island Express
Plans to major in: Sociology
Hopes to become: A police officer

Christine Rizzacasa
Age: 17
Hometown: Bellmore
Sport: Softball
Will attend: NYIT
Number of years
playing at Mepham: Three
Travel team: Long Island Express
Plans to major in: Physical therapy
Hopes to become: A physical therapist

Erika Anzalone
Age: 17
Hometown: Bellmore
Sport: Soccer
Will attend: SUNY Stony Brook
Number of years
playing at Mepham: Two
Travel team: Albertson Fury ’95
Plans to major in: Pre-veterinary
Hopes to become: A veterinarian

Emily Schmitt
Age: 17
Hometown: Bellmore
Sport: Soccer
Will attend: Rider University
Number of years
playing at Mepham: Four
Travel team: East Meadow Sparks
Plans to major in: Business

Connor Gordon
Age: 18
Hometown: Bellmore
Sport: Baseball
Will attend: Davidson College
Travel team: Long Island Tigers
Number of years
playing at Mepham: Two
Plans to major in: Economics

Dylan Stock
Age: 17
Hometown: Bellmore
Sport: Baseball
Will attend: Binghamton University
Number of years
playing at Mepham: Four
Travel team: Long Island Whalers
Plans to major in: Criminal justice

Dominick Raheb
Age: 17
Hometown: Bellmore
Sport: Lacrosse
Will attend: Molloy College
Number of years
playing at Mepham: Four
Travel team: Long Island Pride
Plans to major in: Accounting
Hopes to become: A FBI agent

Christopher Vento
Age: 17
Hometown: Bellmore
Sport: Lacrosse
Will attend: Belmont Abbey College in
North Carolina
Number of years
playing at Mepham: Four
Travel team: Recon Lacrosse
Plans to major in: Criminal justice