Catoctin athletes committed to college teams

Mia Ferraro
CHS Class of 2022

(6/2021) As the season quickly concludes, Catoctin High School fondly recognizes their graduating athletes who have committed to a college sports team, and held an in-person and live-streamed "Signing Day" ceremony to celebrate them. The event was held at the high school on May 18th, where CHS coaches offered their congratulations to the individuals, followed by a ceremonial photo opportunity with their families where they posed as if they were signing their letters of intent for their chosen college.

The congratulatory speeches began with CHS softball coach Jess Valentine, honoring senior Courtney Eyler. Eyler has been a part of the softball and girls basketball teams for four years and will continue her softball career at Penn State University. "Courtney is one of those [players] you want to clone about ten of," Valentine expressed. Eyler was voted Most Athletic by the senior class, and was selected to this season’s 2021 Northeast Final Team for the Premier Girls Fastpitch All-American Watchlist. Eyler suffered a hand injury this season from which she is still in the process of recovering. Valentine praised her ability to work through it and considers the obstacle a learning opportunity. "She has overcome so much already," Valentine said. "I’m really excited for her future."

CHS baseball coach Mike Franklin was given the floor to speak about a few of his team members, beginning with William "Ayden" Shadle. He described the athlete as "a man of honor and integrity," and "everything you want your son to grow up to be." Shadle is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and has played on the boys basketball team for four years, and the baseball team for three. He has committed to furthering his baseball career at Shenandoah University. "I don’t know if they understand what a quality human being they got coming," Franklin expressed. "He deserves every bit of success that he gets."

"Dusty’s had a leadership role in our school the last four years," Franklin stated in reference to his next athlete, Dustin Isanogle. Isanolge has previously participated in and served as co-president for FCA. He has been a part of the baseball team for four years, and the boys soccer team for the past two. He will be attending Messiah University where he has committed to continue playing baseball. Franklin commended Isanogle for his leadership skills and for always being the last player to leave practice, and feels that he is "the best catcher in the state of Maryland." "As a player, he’s fantastic. I could talk about his abilities all day--but I’m so proud of who he is more than what he is," Franklin praised. "I hope he’ll have that same level of community, faith, and success at Messiah [University]."

The next student athlete to be honored was Jeremiah "JJ" Zirkle. He has played on the baseball team for four years and the boys basketball team this past year, and has previously participated in FCA. He has committed to Messiah University, where he will play baseball at collegiate level. "They’re getting one of the best pitchers in the state of Maryland," Franklin stated. He applauded Zirkle’s patience and willingness to work to improve. "All the success that you’ll see from him for the rest of the season--know that he did that one day at a time, one bullpen at a time, one rep at a time--and we’re so proud."

The microphone was then passed to CHS girls basketball coach David Gadra, who shared his congratulations with Chayney Barnhart. Barnhart was selected to the Frederick News-Post Volleyball 1st Team All-County this year. She is a member of FCA and has been a part of the girls basketball and volleyball teams for four years. She will be attending Messiah University to continue her volleyball career. Gadra spoke about her passion for the sport and school, explaining that she contributed greatly to the National Honor Society's preparation for this ceremony. "Messiah’s going to get a great person," Gadra expressed. He then spoke on behalf of the absent CHS volleyball coach, Wes Fream. "In the eight years that Coach has been a part of the volleyball program, Chayney is the best offensive player Catoctin has ever had," Gadra paraphrased from Fream. "Messiah is very fortunate to have her and she is going to be a great asset to the volleyball program."

The last coach to speak was CHS football coach Mike Rich, who first gave recognition to player Connor Kock. Kock has played on the football team for four years and the boys basketball team for three. He has committed to continuing his football career at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. This season, he was selected to the Frederick News-Post First Team Defense All-League. "In the biggest moments where his team needed him the most, he was there," Rich praised. He thought back to before he came to coach at Catoctin, watching Kock’s performance at the Class 1A Championship last year, where he was "always at his best," as Rich described. "I don’t think Clarion understands the ability they are getting in this young man."

Carson Sickeri was the next student athlete to be honored by Rich. "One of the things that everyone talks about with Carson is his vision--the things that he can see on the field," Rich said. "But what you don’t see is the vision that he has for himself and his future." Sickeri has been a part of the football team for four years, and will be furthering his football career at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. As of last year, Sickeri holds the Frederick County record for most touchdowns (41) scored by an individual in one season. He retired from the season early due to an incident resulting in a broken wrist, but has certainly made a mark at Catoctin as last season’s Frederick News-Post Offensive Player of the Year. "It has been an honor and a privilege to coach you," Rich expressed.

Ryan Orr has been on the football and wrestling team for four years and has committed to the football team at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Rich described him as a "natural-born leader" that "has high expectations for himself." Orr was another athlete to suffer an injury this year, having endured a concussion during the fall athletic season. Although this caused him to sit out for a portion of the season, he had 57% completion as a junior. Last year, he completed 101 of 177 passes for almost 2,000 yards and 19 touchdowns. "Clarion’s gonna get another great one and I can’t wait to travel up the turnpike and see some great football games up in Western Pennsylvania," Rich said.

Rich closed his speech with his last student athlete, Jayson Howard. Howard has played on the football team for four years, and will continue to play at McDaniel College. "He was a utility player; he would play absolutely anywhere for us," Rich said. He praised Howard’s willingness to take on any position that was asked of him with the response, "Put me where you want me, I just want to play football," as Rich paraphrased. "McDaniel is getting a great player and an even better person," he said. "I know that once he gets there, he’s going to do incredible things and that his best is yet to come."

CHS Athletic Director Keith Bruck concluded the speeches with his own expression of congratulations to the seniors. "We’ve had some senior classes that have been tremendous athletes and individuals," he said, "but in recent memory, I can’t think of one that impresses me as much as this senior class." The athletes of the class of 2021 have achieved so much despite several unprecedented obstacles this year surrounding the pandemic and the restrictions around it. The Catoctin community takes pride in our athletes’ perseverance and wishes them well as they take their skills to college.