Owls, Rocks athletes sign letters of intent

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Three student-athletes from Lynbrook High School and two from East Rockaway High School are one step closer to playing college athletics next year.
Lynbrook’s Jenna Hendrickson, John Carver and Andrew Ciprian, and East Rockaway’s Eligio Guarino and Anthony Piazza, recently signed their commitment letters to play their sport of choice at the collegiate level.
Hendrickson, who plays lacrosse at the club level with Icon, scored 75 goals and added 19 assists for the Owls in 2019 and helped them to land a spot in the Nassau Class C playoffs. A midfielder with tremendous all-around skills, she’s headed to the University of Pittsburgh.
“Jenna worked tirelessly over many years to fulfill her goal of playing high level Division 1 lacrosse,” coach Vinny Tetro said. “She has done things on the lacrosse field that players and coaches alike are in awe of. She has a natural ability to slow the game down in her mind, which allows her to play at a level only truly great players can achieve.”
Hendrickson, who has well over 100 goals in two varsity campaigns, also takes draws and leads by example. “She’s one of the smoothest players you’ll see and a huge scoring threat,” Tetro explained. “She has a knack for getting to the cage and putting the ball in the back of the net.”

Carver, a pitcher, will take his baseball talents to Adelphi University. “I am so proud of the young man he has become,” coach Al Marrazzo said. “He is driven and focused and understands what it takes to be successful. He is a young man that has earned this scholarship and opportunity. He is well deserving and we wish him nothing but the best. He and his family should be extremely proud.”
Ciprian, a long stick midfielder who was brought up to varsity as a sophomore, will continue his passion for lacrosse at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Owls coach William Leighley shared his excitement about Ciprian’s next chapter. “There are very few, if any, of our lacrosse players who love the sport more than Andrew and for him to be able to continue playing in college makes me and all of his coaches so pleased,” he said. “It was the best thing I ever did when I was a player and I am sure he will feel the same way. I can’t wait to follow what I know will be a successful four years.”
East Rockaway’s Guarino didn’t play for the high school team but has long starred at prestigious levels. He’s currently playing professionally with the New York Cosmos Soccer Club and is headed to Wake Forest University.
Guarino has played attack midfield and left wing for the Cosmos since August, competing against older players. He said he has enjoyed the competition, and has learned a great deal from the experience.
He played for the Lynbrook/East Rockaway Sting from 2011 to 2015, helping the team win two State Cups and two Long Island Cup championships. In addition to the Cosmos, he has played for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy teams of the New York City Football Club and the Red Bulls.
Piazza will play baseball at Western Connecticut State University. He’ll be a four-year varsity performer for the Rocks and also plays travel ball. He has experience at third base, shortstop and on the mound. “There aren’t many high school baseball players that work as hard as Anthony,” East Rockaway coach James Hickey said. “He’s put in a tremendous amount of time into reaching his goal of college baseball.”