A Dozen OCHS Athletes Commit to Colleges

By Maddy Vitale Twelve Ocean City High School senior athletes signed commitments to attend colleges to play lacrosse, baseball, field hockey, softball and soccer during a ceremony Monday morning. Faculty, family and friends filled the community room at the high school to celebrate the student-athletes’ achievements. Athletic Director Vince Leavey said the very fact a dozen students signed so early in the year is a testament to the top athletes and students at the high school. “I think it is evident that we have a very talented athletic population here,” Leavey said before the event began. “This fall, every team that could make the playoffs did. To see 12 students commit to colleges shows how there is talent across the sports.” Parents Scott and Heather with Reese Bloomstead and brother Logan wear their Monmouth University shirts. Reese Bloomstead, 17, who was honored as top fall athlete this year, is heading off to Monmouth University, where she will play field hockey and major in teaching. “I’m really excited,” Reese said after the ceremony. “I wouldn’t be here today without my family, my teammates and my coaches. I am really happy.” She said she is looking forward to going to Monmouth because it has an excellent teaching program and field hockey team. Her mother, Heather Bloomstead, noted it also doesn’t hurt that Monmouth is close to home. “We could go to all of her games,” she said, looking at her husband, Scott Bloomstead. Schools Superintendent Kathleen Taylor stops in for a photo and to give congratulations to the teams. Here she is with some of the field hockey players. Field hockey goalie Madison Khan will be heading off to Lehigh University next fall. Her mother, Cindy Khan, her aunt and grandparents showed support as they sat together holding a bouquet of flowers for the star athlete. “She is one of the leading goalies,” Cindy Khan said. “It’s good to see all of the sacrifices and hard work coming to fruition." From left, Madison Khan's grandmother, Carmela Petrowsky, mother, Cindy Kahn, aunt, Alice Cosice, and grandmother, Jonne Kahn, say they are excited for Madison's future at Lehigh University. The seniors who committed to go off to college were as follows: Billy Kroeger – Lacrosse – New Jersey Institute of Technology Brandon Lashley – Baseball – Stony Brook University Danielle Donoghue – Lacrosse – Mount St. Mary’s University Madison Kahn – Field Hockey – Lehigh University Reese Bloomstead – Field Hockey – Monmouth University AJ Campbell – Baseball – Frostburg State University Alexandra Vitola – Softball – Flagler College Jaclyn Charbonneau – Field Hockey – West Chester University Anna Devlin – Lacrosse – The College of New Jersey Brandyn Pokrass – Baseball – Lesley University Shannon DeCosta – Field Hockey – The College of New Jersey Tori Rolls – Soccer – Montclair State University Athletic Director Vince Leavey talks to the crowd of students and their families and friends at the start of the signing event.