Eight East Hampton High School seniors made their college commitment announcements on Dec. 3, recruited for their outstanding performance as varsity athletes. At an event in the high school library, their families and coaches celebrated their achievements.
“They’re amazing young men and women,” said Kathy Masterson, East Hampton’s athletic director. “Having the support system that we have here in our parents and our coaches, it’s just evident that’s why they flourish. They know their dreams are being supported.”
Izzy Briand will play softball for Dominican University in Orangeburg, N.Y., where she’ll study math and biology. “I have always dreamed of committing and going to college, and I’m so excited to be here with my parents and my little sister, who will hopefully be next.”
In March, Briand was named one of Newsday’s top 100 softball players on Long Island for the second year in a row. A pitcher, she struck out 175 batters in 149 innings. On the other side of the ball, she batted .412 with six homers, 21 r.b.i.s, and 11 runs scored.
“It’s the culmination of a lot of work for her,” her mother, Corrine Braddick, said. “I think it’s nine years she’s been playing softball and we’ve been traveling to practices and lessons, and I’m just really proud of her that she stuck it out and worked hard and now it’s finally paying off.”
James Corwin is joining the lacrosse team at Vassar College upstate. An attackman for both the Bonackers and Legacy Lacrosse, Corwin was also a captain of the high school football team. He says he visited Vassar and knew it was the right place for him to continue his athletic career. “I thought the campus was great, it’s not too far. I did an overnight visit, so I hung out with all the guys and they seemed like people I’d be friends with. I liked the coaches a lot. They were awesome, very nice.”
Corwin says he’ll miss spending time with his combined teammates from Southampton and Hampton Bays, but both he and his father are thrilled they won’t have to fight summer traffic for practices and games anymore. “Summer is back. Can’t wait. Super happy about that. That’s one of the perks,” Chris Corwin said. “Super happy for James and for all the kids here. It’s always great to see more kids playing sports at the next level from this school.”
Liam Knight committed to Roger Williams University for both track and swimming. In February, Knight became the first East Hampton swimmer to qualify for the state championships since 2019 thanks to a standout performance in the 200-yard freestyle. “We’re very proud of him,” said his mom, Melissa Knight. “He’s been on the swim team since he was 7 and he dual-committed for swim and track and field, so he didn’t have to choose between the two sports that he loves.”
Going to college in Rhode Island will also allow Knight to continue surfing. “It’s really beautiful and there are surf spots like 10 minutes away, so it’s pretty perfect for me,” Knight said. “I think it will be pretty fun, especially dual sports because track starts when swimming ends.”
Trevor Meehan is heading to Connecticut to play baseball at Bridgeport University. The lefty pitched a no-hitter for Bonac in April, the team’s first in 30 years, then went on to pitch another just two weeks later. He’s been dreaming of playing in college since he was a kid. “Ever since T-ball,” Meehan said. “So it was super rewarding when I found out I was going to play. I’m extremely blessed and I thank my parents a lot. They drove me everywhere. It was difficult and they sacrificed a lot of their time. They’re a big reason why I’m signing here today.”
Both of his parents were beaming in talking about his accomplishment. “It’s fantastic. It’s a lot of hard work and a long road that we all were down together, and it’s great to see it pay off,” his father, Matthew Meehan, said.
Mason Miles committed to play baseball at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. A versatile fielder, Miles plays first base, third base, and outfield. His walk-off hit to seal a sweep of Harborfields in May was one of the highlights of a season that culminated in Bonac’s first trip to the Suffolk Class AA finals in three decades. “I owe it all to my dad. He’s driven me all over the place, all over the Island, any showcase tournament I need to go to, he’s been there with me,” Miles said.
His father said he valued the time together. “We played all over the East Coast and sometimes even further than that and we had a wonderful time. Very proud,” Jack Miles said. “I think you get only one shot to do this, right? And showing up for your kid is what I’ve been taught as a dad and it worked out. We weren’t targeting Division I, but it worked out like that, which is great.”
Victoreddy Aguero rounds out the trio of East Hampton High School baseball players committing to play in college. The outfielder is heading to Felician University in New Jersey and called the decision a relief. “I don’t have to go through the normal, typical college application process, which I know can be stressful,” he said. “I’m really just grateful that I was able to lock in on the summer, get the job done, and put myself in this position.”
His mom was nearly in tears. “I want to cry,” Arely Castillo said. “I am so excited. He worked hard for years and he deserves it, and we are so happy.”
Daisy Pitches, who has been swimming since she was 7, will continue to do so at Marist University in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., in the fall. Pitches is a five-time state Y.M.C.A. champion who set a new East Hampton Hurricanes record in the 200 backstroke in January with a 2:08.48. “It’s going to be a super-fun experience. The team was just really close,” she said of her Marist visit, “and the coaches.”
Pitches’s mother, Angelika Cruz, who is also one of her swim coaches, can’t believe her daughter is a senior in high school already. “I think it hasn’t hit me yet,” she said. “I am so proud of her.”
Elizabeth Daniels will also be swimming at the college level, having committed to Central Connecticut State University. “I’m super excited for a fresh new start, a new team, and new practices. It feels great. I’ve been recruited for the 100 breaststroke and the 200 breaststroke and the individual medleys,” she said.
“She did such a great job,” Kathleen Daniels, her mom, said. “We still have more to do this year, we’re going back to nationals, we’re going back to Maryland, and hopefully we just keep getting better.”
“They earn everything they get, so I’m just happy for them,” Bonac’s swim coach, Craig Brierley, said of his swimmers Daniels and Knight. “I’m blessed to be in this role, and I’m glad they let me in the picture.”
