WAYNESBORO – It’s become an annual thing at Waynesboro Area Senior High School. Student-athletes get together to hold a college signing event in the lobby adjacent to the high school auditorium.
On Tuesday, May 5, 14 seniors took part in a ceremonial signing in the company of family and friends. A total of 10 colleges and universities were represented. They included Frederick Community College, Frostburg State University, Hagerstown Community College, Lebanon Valley College, Lock Haven University, Millersville University, Mount St. Mary’s, Penn State Harrisburg, Pitt-Greensburg and Shenandoah University.
KATIE BAKER will attend Shenandoah University, located in Winchester, Virginia. She will compete in track and field and will major in biology/pre-veterinary medicine.
Baker is a strong competitor in the weight events. One of her goals is to attain 105 feet in the discus event and to achieve personal records in college track and field.
She is looking forward “to meeting new people interested in the same things as me.”
KAE DENNIS will be attending Penn State Harrisburg in the fall where she will compete in track and field and major in integrative science (secondary education concentration).
Dennis, a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Spanish Honors Society, was named to the Honor Roll all four years in high school.
She is eager “to continue competing and getting more knowledge in my studies, and to compete in outdoor track championships and start my master’s degree.”
RILEY EATON will major in business at Hagerstown Community College and will also play baseball.
Eaton and the Waynesboro Indians varsity baseball team have qualified for the District 3-6A playoffs and will conclude the regular season on Monday, May 11, against Carlisle.
Eaton was a Second Team All-Star in the Mid-Penn Colonial Division as a junior and was named to the high school Honor Roll all four years at WASHS.
“I want to see where baseball takes me after the two years (at HCC),” Eaton said. “I also look forward to seeing what my major teaches me.”
JOHN KAHL will be attending Frostburg State University and majoring in business administration and playing baseball.
“I am looking forward to pitching and graduating from college,” said Kahl, who has pitched a no-hitter, was named First Team All-Conference, and made Honor Roll all four years at WASHS. “My goal is to move up to Division I.”
ERIC KNEPPER will major in business management and play baseball at Frederick Community College.
Knepper, a history buff, played varsity baseball for the past three years. He also made Honor Roll with Distinction.
“I want to keep getting better and play as long as possible,” Knepper said. “I want to stay healthy and be on the field.”
RYAN JENKINS will attend Lock Haven University, where he will play baseball. He is currently undecided on a major.
Jenkins played varsity for two years and earned a place on the Honor Roll with Distinction.
“I want to continue to play baseball and graduate,” he said, “I want to play well and move up to Division I.”
LOGAN KENNEDY will be attending Hagerstown Community College and majoring in chemistry. He will also play baseball for the Hawks.
Kennedy, an Honor Roll member while in high school, played two years of varsity baseball and three years of varsity boys’ soccer.
“I’m looking forward to meeting new teammates and friends, and also having fun,” said Kennedy, whose favorite subjects in high school were science and history.
BREANNA MCILQUHAM will attend Frostburg State University, where she will major in elementary education and play basketball.
McIlquham was a highly decorated student-athlete at Waynesboro Area Senior High School. She was the Waynesboro Female Athlete of the Year as well as the Waynesboro Scholastic Athlete of the Year. She was a Mid-Penn Colonial Division All-Star three times in basketball and a Mid-Penn Colonial Division All-Star twice in volleyball. She was also named All-District 3 in volleyball and was on the Penn Live Big 15 girls’ basketball team.
NATE NYSTROM will attend Lebanon Valley College, where he will major in computer science and play baseball.
Nystrom played on the varsity baseball team for two years and was also named to the Honor Roll.
He looks forward “to continuing to play baseball and meet new people. I want to set myself up for success after college and have a successful baseball career.”
LAINEY PEYTON will be attending the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg in the fall. She will play soccer.
Peyton, the all-time points leader for the Maidens, was named First Team All-Conference as well as Offensive Most Valuable Player her junior season. She was also named to the National Honor Society.
Peyton, whose favorite class was creative writing at WASHS, wants “to get better and be involved. I also look forward to meeting new people in college.”
MADELYN RUEFFLE will attend Millersville University and major in early childhood education and compete in track and field.
An accomplished runner on the Waynesboro Maidens varsity team, Rueffle competed for four years in cross country and track and field. She was a distance runner in track.
On the academic side, Rueffle was a member of the National Honor Society and was named to the Honor Roll with Distinction. She was an FBLA Interact Officer and President of Junior Civitan.
“I’m looking forward to continuing what I love in college,” Rueffle said. “I want to do well academically and athletically.”
ELLA SWART will attend Mount St. Mary’s, where she will major in secondary math education and minor in business. She will also compete in cross country and track and field.
Swart ran cross country and track and field for four years at Waynesboro. Academically, she was named to the Honor Roll with Distinction and was a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society.
“I am excited to continue doing what I love while preparing for my future,” said Swart. “I want to perform my best athletically and academically.”
MICK TORBICA will be going to Lebanon Valley College. He will major in criminal justice and minor in pre-law and play football.
Torbica was a three-year starter as an offensive lineman for the Indians. He also earned varsity letters twice in boys’ basketball and competed in track and field all four years at WASHS.
Torbica made the Honor Roll for four years.
“I am looking forward to bettering myself, to become stronger, smarter and more athletic,” Torbica said. “I’m also looking forward to the opportunities my education will offer me.
“My goal is to become a starter on the football team and become a leader and a captain.”
NATE WHEELER will attend Hagerstown Community College, where he will major in general studies and play baseball.
Wheeler was named to the Distinguished Honor Roll all four years at WASHS.
“I want to continue to grow and learn the game of baseball and life itself,” said Wheeler. “I want to graduate from junior college and play divisional baseball.”
