Pocono Mountain East has 17 seniors commit to play collegiate sports

Pocono Mountain East had 17 senior athletes sign-on with their prospective colleges during their own ‘National Letter of Intent’ signing day event held on May 8, 2023.

PM East Athletic Director Matthew Frailey said this was the most Cardinals' athletes that he has had sign on to further their playing careers in college.  Frailey has been the AD at PMSD since 2018.

“This is great and to me, it means we’ve got the right coaches and we’ve got the right players,” said Frailey.  “We have the right mentality to get these kids exposed to the next level and we’re making the right contacts to make sure that these colleges know that these athletes are here.”

“I think parents are very proud of their kids,” said Frailey.  “Also knowing the commitment that they put into supporting their kids since they were little and growing up…and supporting them in the sport they wanted to play.  Well, they are just so excited now to see some of these student athletes’ dreams realized as they are going on to play at the next level.  It happened for these kids.”

According to Frailey, some of these athletes have been district champions on both their softball and field hockey teams.  But he claims all 17 athletes have played leadership roles, demonstrating, and getting underclassmen to buy into the excitement and energy of playing their sport, “just being there, showing their commitment level is a positive for the whole student body watching or that they can look forward to.”

The 17 players attended the event with their families, friends, and coaches for the school’s “College Commitment Night":

Jessica Butz, daughter of Heath and Jennifer Butz, will be going on to play field hockey for Albright College.  HS athletic achievements – Most defensive saves, most improved player, varsity letter winner, 2022 District Champions.

Ashley Carlson, daughter of Michael and Barbara Carlson, will be going on to play softball for Susquehanna University.  Athletic achievements – 100 Career strikeouts, making it to states in 2021.

Olivia Handelong, daughter of Robert and Melanie Handelong, will be going on to play field hockey for Towson University.  HS athletic achievements - 2xPA All-State 2nd team, PA All-State Honorable mention, 1st Team All EPC, 1st Team Mountain Division EPC, 1St team Morning Call, 2x 2nd Team Morning Call, 2x 1st Team Pocono Record, 2x BRC Athlete of the Week, Pocono Record Top 13 Mountain Division Athlete, 2x NFHCA National Academic Squad, NFHCA Senior Impact award, Team MVP 2022, 2x District Runner up, District Champion, BRC Female Athlete of the Year fall season.

Michael Hollar, son of Michael and Dana Hollar, will be going on to the wrestling team at Messiah University.  HS athletic achievements - 4yr Varsity letter, 2x Coaches award recipient, 2x Tunkhannock holiday tournament medalist, 3x Captain, MVP 2021 , 2yr Student Athletic Counsel Member.

Ethan Kauffman, son of Kolby and Wendy Kauffman, will be going on to play baseball for Lehigh-Carbon Community College.  HS athletic achievements - EPC North Champions, 2x District Runner up, 2x EPC Qualifiers, Varsity letter winner.

D’John Kelley, son of Daniel Burns and Derrick Schaller, will be going on to play football at Albright College.  HS athletic achievements - Varsity letter winner, 2020 Championship game vs Whitehall, 2yr Captain, McDonalds All-Star Game 2022, 2nd team All-Conference EPC, Defensive MVP 2022.

Gabriella Maldonado, daughter of Joseph and Lisa Maldonado, will be going on to play girls basketball for Penn State-Lehigh Valley.  HS athletic achievements - 2x District Champion, 3Yr Varsity Letter Winner, 2x Captain, Senior All-Star Classic, Perryman game, Pocono Record Athlete of the Week, Morning Call Athlete of the Week.

Megan McLain, daughter of Brad and Vicki McLain, will be going on to play field hockey for DeSales University.  HS athletic achievement - District XI Champions, Sportsmanship Award.

Fredrick Owusu, son of Fredrick and Millicent Owusu, will be going on to play football at Albright College.  HS athletic achievements - Varsity letter winner, 2020 District Championship game,

Michael Price, son of Carl and Shannon Price, will be going on to play baseball at Lehigh-Carbon Community College.  HS athletic achievements - EPC North Champions, 2x District Runner up, 2x EPC Qualifiers, Varsity letter winner, Team Captain.

Mikenna Price, daughter of Brett and Susan Price, will be going on to play field hockey at West Chester University.  HS athletic achievements - 2020 District Runner up, Pocono Record 3rd team, 2021 District runner up 2A, 2nd Team Pocono Record All Area, 3rd team EPC, All-State Honorable Mention, NFHCA Junior/Senior Academic Award, 2022 Coaches Award, All-State Honorable Mention, NFHCA Senior Impact Team, District XI 2A Champions, 2nd EPC, 4yr Letter winner, Morning Call 2nd Team, Pocono Record Player to Watch, Top 13 Mountain Division Player, 2yr Student Athletic Counsel Member

Carolyn Reed, daughter of Michael and Connie Reed, will be going on to play competitive spirit at East Stroudsburg University.  HS athletic achievements - 2x All American Nominated, Top All American 2021& 2022, 4yr Varsity lettermen, 4yr Team Captain, Recipient of the Pin it Forward Award for demonstration of Character, Handpicked for National Cheerleaders Association Staff for the Summer of 2023

Evan Schmelz, son of John and Christy Schmelz, will be going on to play baseball at Lock Haven University.  HS athletic achievements - 4yr Varsity Lettermen, EPC North Champion, 2x ECP Qualifier, 2x District runner up, Captain

Owen Shaffer, son of Brooke Walsh, will be going on to play football at Muhlenberg College.  HS athletic achievements - 2yr Letterman, EPC Football Scholar Athlete

Gavin Sopko, son of Trevor and Jeannine Sopko will be going on to play baseball for East Stroudsburg University.  HS athletic achievements - 4yr Varsity letter, EPC North Division Champs, 2x Runner up in Districts

Jayla South, daughter of Johnathan and Breline South, will be going on to play girls basketball for Alliance University.  HS athletic achievements - 2x EPC 2nd Team, 3rd team All-District, Pocono Record Player of the Week, 2023 led in rebounds and scoring double-doubles

Sofia Zablackis, daughter of Earl Zablackis and Beatriz Villar, will be going on to play volleyball at William Patterson University.  HS athletic achievements - 4yr letter winner, Honorable Mention 2021, Honorable Mention 2022

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Pocono Mountain East signing day "one of the biggest ever" for school