Wednesday was a big day for a group of Harker athletes as they committed to playing their sports in college. Seniors Ryan Vaughan, Rachel Cheng, Taylor Iantosca, Marti Sutton and Niki Iyer gleamed with excitement as their peers, teachers and families joined them in the quad for the ceremony celebrating their athletic futures.
Vaughan will play golf at the University of California, San Diego. Among his high school accolades, he was named WBAL Player of the Year last season, and received first team and second team honors his sophomore and freshman years, respectively. “I’m really excited because this an experience that not a lot of people get and it keeps me working hard,” said Vaughan.
Cheng will play volleyball for Washington University-St. Louis in the fall. While at Harker, she was a first team WBAL selection during her junior and senior years, and an honorable mention her sophomore year. “I’m really excited to go to a new environment and still have something that I’m familiar with,” stated Cheng. “I’m also looking forward to meeting the team and hopefully making bonds that will last the rest of my life.”
Iantosca, who was a standout volleyball and lacrosse player at Harker, will join the crew team at the University of California, San Diego. “It’s always been a dream of mine to compete at the collegiate level,” said Iantosca. “Crew isn’t a common high school sport, so I always had to do club, but now it’s cool to be a part of a team within the school.”
Sutton will travel to Iowa in the fall to play softball at Dordt College. Sutton received second team All-League honors, as well as an honorable mention, while at Harker and currently sports a .417 average for the Eagles. “I am so excited and really honored,” stated Sutton. “I’m really looking forward to how I can improve myself and my skills.”
Iyer will run cross country and track for the Golden Bears at the University of California, Berkeley. She was named WBAL Cross Country Runner of the Year her freshman, junior and senior seasons, as well as Most Outstanding Track Runner her junior year. She was a CCS champion in the 3200 last spring and also holds the school records in the 800m, 1600m and 3200m. “I’m really excited for both the challenges and rewards that will happen in the future,” said Iyer. “I’m also really looking forward to working with some amazing coaches and having a really fun college experience.”
Congratulations to our amazing student athletes! Go Eagles!