Committed Athletes: Selected Quotes

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Credit: faungg’s photos (Flickr Creative Commons)

Nick Bonneville, Western Illinois University (Swimming)

“It feels amazing. It’s just awesome … Swimming at that level opens up a ton of opportunities at Olympic trials and national swim meets.”

Lidia Breen, Lehigh University (Soccer)

“I’m excited to see how I can develop and grow as a player against a higher level of competition in an environment where I’m training everyday. I know that the coaching staff at Lehigh will help me reach and surpass my potential.”

Joseph Bruni, University of Dayton (Football)

“I am really excited to get a chance to play at an even more competitive level and to have another family like atmosphere hopefully similar to high school sports. I chose Dayton because academically it was higher than other schools that may have been better at football. I figured this decision shouldn’t just be a 4 year decision when it will impact the rest of my life.”

Grace Delleman, Edgewood College (Softball)

“I’m excited to play at the next level because of the new competitiveness I will face, and I’m looking forward to learning and growing more as a player.”

Matt Faucher, Endicott College (Lacrosse)

“I’ve been playing since sixth grade, and it’s not something I can just give up on. The game just keeps getting harder and more fun to play the higher you go, and I want to be a part of that.”

Jack Garrow, John Carroll University (Swimming)

“[Signing was] really rewarding and satisfying, because you put so much in … I love to compete, I love the sport. It’s also weird to think about doing something else with my free time. It’s such a big part of my life.”

Ben Hewett, Brown University (Swimming))

“This summer is my last chance to show off for the coach. I’m hitting practices really hard. I’m seeing every swim meet as a chance to improve. After the swim season in July, all of August I’ll be training with my club coach, so he’ll help me out with [Brown University’s] tryouts… I’ve always wanted to swim in college, and swimming has always been a big part of my life, especially when I committed to high school swimming. It’s become a lifestyle for me, and I can’t imagine my life without it.

Harry Hilling, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (Soccer)

“It’s a big relief. [The recruiting process] was long for me. It was pretty rigorous. It’s great that it’s finally come to end. But it’s also great to know that I get to play the sport that I love for the next four years … It’ll be a fresh start and it’ll be great playing with guys around the country, and playing division I in and of itself is exciting enough.”

Jon Hudson, Iowa State (Golf)

“A goal that my coach and I have always had is [for me to] become the best player in Illinois, and last summer, I reached #1 in my graduating class in state. I feel that accomplishing that goal will ultimately lead me to many options in college. I feel ready to play at the next level with all of the tournaments against the top kids in the country.”

Jacob Norris, Cornell College (Lacrosse)

“It was like a dream come true, knowing I’ll be playing at a national scale next year … now I have to train that much harder, so when I get to college, I can make an impact.”

Jessi Skonning, Manhattan College (Volleyball)

“I really love the team aspect [of volleyball], and I can’t imagine my life without the team behind me. It’ll be a fresh beginning, and I’m excited for the new experiences.”

Kristen Thoms, University of Iowa (Tennis)

“I’m excited to play in college because its another opportunity to keep playing and meeting new people. I decided to keep playing because I really like the idea of having a team next year. That will definitely be better than the juniors where its all individual.”

Matt Walsh, Rutgers (Golf)

“I like controlling your own destiny in golf. Over the past couple years, I decided I wanted to do everything I could to make the PGA Tour … For a while, I didn’t know if I was going anywhere to play. Before that, I was trying really hard and it wasn’t paying off, but then I turned it on over the summer, and finally it paid off.”

Kyle Yang, Knox College (Baseball)

I’m excited to play baseball at the next level because it’s a great opportunity for me. I get to play the sport I love for another 4 years and I get an outstanding education. I decided to play baseball at the next level because it also presents me with a challenge that I look forward to facing. I’m just looking forward to getting after it!