Briarcliff HS Recognizes NCAA-bound Athletes

Editor's Note: Lucas Hoffner will be attending Clark University. Jake Brown will be playing baseball. Hanna Feuer, Keaton McCann ­ and Jordan Ricciardi were among the athletes recognized in the ceremony. The original information was incorrect.

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, NY — Eleven members of Briarcliff High School’s Class of 2017 were celebrated at the school’s seventh annual NCAA Press Conference on May 18. School counselor Dr. Nathan Heltzel welcomed the athletes, their coaches and their families to the event before introducing each athlete individually, and spoke about his or her achievements and collegiate plans.

“We are very proud of these young men and women,” said Dr. Heltzel. “They really exemplify the highest moral and ethical standards that we could expect of them at Briarcliff High School.”

The athletes recognized at the ceremony include:

• Jake Brown – men’s baseball at Kenyon College
• Kylie Elwood – women’s rowing at Fordham University
• Hanna Feuer – women’s cross country and track & field at Kenyon College
• Ryan Gallagher – men’s cross country and track & field at Providence College
• Sophie Gelard – women’s cross country and track & field at Binghamton University
• Jake Hardy – men’s baseball at Skidmore College
• Loren Haukova – women’s tennis at Boston College
• Lucas Hoffner – men’s lacrosse at Clark University
• Keaton McCann – men’s lacrosse at Union College
• Jordan Ricciardi – women’s lacrosse at the University of Richmond
• Jack Zimmerman – men’s track and field at Pennsylvania State University

Tennis standout Loren Haukova thanked her high school coach, Don Hamlin, for a memorable four years.

“Mr. Hamilin brightened everyone’s mood, where it was in school or on the court,” she said.

Zimmerman, who will leave BHS with school records in shot put, discus, weight throw and hammer throw, as well as a state title in shot put, is looking forward to joining the renowned Division I program at Penn State.

“I’m excited for the future,” he said. “Penn State is a good fit for me. I wanted to go to a school where I could get a good education and be at the highest level of track.”

Ricciardi is still making an impact with the Briarcliff Bears lacrosse team before graduation. Athletic Director Christos Drosopoulos noted that she scored her 100 th career goal on May 17.

“They are accustomed to recognizing opportunity when it is before them and seizing it,” Dr. Heltzel said of the athletes. “They have that will to win that life is going to demand of you when you walk out of Briarcliff High School and we know you are ready and capable.”

Photo Captions

Eleven Briarcliff High School seniors have signed letters of intent with NCAA Division I, II and III schools for the fall of 2017.

Briarcliff High School senior Hanna Feuer with Coach Sean Ryan (left) and mother Cynthia Feurer, will join the Kenyon College women’s cross country and track & field teams in the fall.

Briarcliff High School senior Jake Hardy has signed a letter of intent to play baseball at Skidmore College. He is pictured with BHS athletic director Christos Drosopoulos.

Photos courtesy of the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District