photo credit: Ava Mejia
The high school’s class of 2026 is a talented class, academically and athletically. On Nov. 12 the school recognized athletes signing to continue their career in college.
There were a total of 14 athletes that signed that day, all committed to different sports. Each season of sports had multiple athletes represented.
Starting with the fall sport signees, volleyball had four out of six seniors commit. Emma Cugino, Izzy Scholvin, Maci Gerboth and Delaney McAtee.
Emma Cugino committed to the four time NCAA champions, the University of Texas. During her senior year, Cugino was first team all-state, central district player of the year and OCC player of the year.
Also moving south is Izzy Scholvin who committed to Texas State University. Scholvin was first team all-state, first team central district and first team OCC her final year playing for Orange.
Maci Gerboth signed to play for the Herd at Marshall University. She finished her career at Orange as first team central district, second team all-state and second team OCC.
The final volleyball signee is Delaney McAtee who is going to play for West Virginia Wesleyan. Among other athletes, McAtee started her commitment process her sophomore year
“I was emailing around 50 colleges my sophomore year just trying to get exposure. In February of my Junior year, I went on one of my last visits to WVW and I fell in love with the school. I decided to commit a few weeks after my visit,” McAtee said.
Not many sports have multiple signees, let alone four. These four seniors have helped lead in the program from the moment they joined the varsity roster their freshman year.
“Our group has always been very competitive. This season, knowing that we were all playing, not only for this team, but to better ourselves before college was definitely something that we bonded over,” McAtee said.
Emily Huffman, who is a club volleyball player, is committed to the University of Pikeville. Huffman played club volleyball for Next Volleyball in Central Ohio.
For girls soccer, Emma Sanderow committed to the University of Duquesne, a division one institution. Sanderow has three varsity letters and was a co-captain her senior year.
Finishing off fall sports is Xavier girls golf signee, Adeline Ricker. Her senior year, Ricker earned first team all conference. Head Coach Todd Helline played a large part in her high school golf career.
“Helline has been a huge help to me the past 4 years: he has always given me encouragement, great pep talks and feedback. He really helped talk me off of so many metaphorical ledges and helped me regain my love for the game,” Ricker said.
In addition to creating close bonds with her teammates Ricker played alongside her sister, Amelia her senior year.
“My friends helped bring back the fun of the game and showed me that golf doesn’t have to be so serious all of the time. My swing coach and my sister always push me to be my best and to keep pushing until I reach my goals, and I truly couldn’t have reached this one without them,” Ricker said.
For winter sports there were two signees. Mia Boccio committed to swim and dive and Carly Weinberg for gymnastics.
Mia Boccio committed to swim at Rutgers University. Last season, Boccio placed in the OHSAA state championship.
The second winter sport signee, Carly Weinberg is committed to play gymnastics at Brigham Young University. Weinberg transferred to Orange her senior year.
Spring sports had multiple signees on Nov. 12. The first of which was Reid Hemrick who committed to Eastern Michigan University for baseball. He is following a fellow Pioneer who is currently in Michigan playing baseball as well.
For girls lacrosse, Elise Krzak committed to Converse University. Krzak played offense throughout her high school career for the Pioneers.
Another lacrosse signee, Connor Byrnes committed to Lewis University. His commitment was made possible by the immense amount of effort he put in early on in his high school career.
On Nov. 12 the high school had one two sport athlete commit to play at the next level. Brooke Chapman signed to run cross country and track at North Carolina State University. Chapman has been a lead runner all throughout her high school career. In addition to holding many individual and relay program records, she placed second at the cross country state championship her junior and senior year. She also placed first in the mile at the track state championship her sophomore and junior year.
Finally, Malin McGranor committed to row at North Carolina University Chapel Hill. McGranor rows for Olentangy Club where she helps lead the boat as a coxswain.
These athletes are not the only students in the class of 2026 that are signing this year. There are multiple signing days that take place throughout the year. Come support all of the athletes as they take the next step in their athletic journey.
