The National Signing Day for high school graduates intending to play football and soccer in college was Wednesday, February 3, 2016, and four seniors at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS), signed letters of intent that day notifying the colleges they plan to attend that they do intend to compete in football or soccer.
All live in Warren Township.
The football players are: Mark Ball, quarterback, son of Mark and Nicole Ball, who plans to attend and play for Pace University, New York City, N.Y.; Tyler Helbing, defensive end, son of Fred and Katrina Helbing, who plans to attend and play for Alderson Broaddus University, Phillippi, W.Va.; and Frank Rica, wide receiver, son of Frank and Lisa Rica, who plans to attend and play for Colgate University, Hamilton, N.Y.
In soccer, Ally Grunstein, forward, daughter of John and Helene Grunstein, plans to attend and play for Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Conn. Attending the letter signing ceremony from WHRHS were Principal George Alexis, Athletic Director Christopher Van Vliet, Head Football Coach Mike Katz, and Girls Soccer Coach Brian Figueiredo.
Also attending were siblings of the students signing letters of intent: Senior Matt Grunstein, twin brother of Ally Grunstein, also a soccer player, who plans to attend, but pursue other extracurricular interests at Tulane University, New Orleans, La., as well as Freshman Andrea Rica, who plays Girls Lacrosse and is a cheerleader at WHRHS, and Sophomore Joseph Rica, who plays Boys Lacrosse at WHRHS.
In November, 10 students at WHRHS declared their intentions to attend and play lacrosse, softball, baseball, or swimming next year at colleges or universities.
• To play lacrosse: Gabrielle Burton of Warren Township, who plans to attend LaSalle University, Philadelphia, Pa; Lindsey Carroll of Warren Township, Radford University, Radford, Va; Tyler Furlong of Warren Township, Lafayette College, Easton, Pa; Sean Mullaney of Warren Township, The College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Mass.; Kelsey Reed of Stirling, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Va.; and Kiera Vrindten of Warren Township, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H.
• To play baseball: Brian Reiss of Watchung, Monmouth University, West Long Branch.
• To play softball: Amanda Hopeck of Green Brook Township, Monmouth University; and Madison Scuderi of Warren Township, Fordham University, The Bronx, N.Y.
• To be on the swim team: Kayla Purcell of Millington, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
(above, seated, l-r)Frank Rica; Ally Grunstein, Mark Ball, and Tyler Helbing (standing, behind their children, l-r) Parents Frank and Lisa Rica; Helene and John Grunstein; Nicole and Mark Ball; and Katrina and Fred Helbing.
