They've Got Game: 19 Graduating Seniors to Play Sports in College

Nineteen seniors will play their sport in college, including 10 who will compete at the Division I level. Their coaches talk about what makes them special as athletes, leaders, and people.
 
Andrew Caslow (lacrosse)
Hometown: Fairfax, Va.
College choice: University of California, Berkeley
Coach Scott Conklin: “Andrew has been on the varsity team since his sophomore year and has made an impact this year as a scorer on our attack. In addition to his contributions finishing inside, Andrew is a spirited leader. His positive attitude and exemplary work ethic over the years have helped him to improve as much as any player I’ve coached at EHS. I expect Andrew to have a similar impact on the Cal Berkeley program, and I look forward to following his career.”
 
Ben Condemi (football)
Hometown: Chantilly, Va.
College choice: Carnegie Mellon University
Coach Bodhi Amos: “Ben’s leadership in 2019-20 on offense and defense made him a clear choice for captain in 2020-21. As both a top receiver and defensive back, he was a unanimous choice of his peers. This year, his outstanding determination, discipline, command, and equanimity in the face of great adversity provided crucial guidance and a rock-solid foundation for the team. He is also a 2021 inductee into the Cum Laude Society. Ben’s compassion and drive, combined with his intellectual and physical gifts, will be a tremendous contribution to the Carnegie Mellon community next year.” 
 
Tyler Conklin (lacrosse)
Hometown: Alexandria, Va.
College choice: Loyola College (Md.)
Coach Scott Conklin: “Tyler has unofficially been a part of EHS lacrosse since he was 5 years old and has officially been a member of the varsity team since his 9th grade year. Despite losing his junior year to Covid-19 and his senior year to a knee injury, he will end his career with 19 career goals and 27 points. He has been a stalwart on extra man over the years with a very hard and accurate left-handed shot, and his presence on the offensive side of the field was missed this spring.” 
 
James Greene (lacrosse)
Hometown: New York
College choice: Hobart College
Coach Scott Conklin: “James has been on the varsity lacrosse team since his sophomore year and is a ‘do it all’ midfielder. His ability to create opportunities on offense and in the middle of the field are keys to our success. He was third on the team this year in points, and he was our best middie in the clearing game and on defense. James has served as a strong leader this spring, and we will miss him next year. I can’t wait to watch him play for Hobart.”
 
Dante Jackson (track and field)
Hometown: Alexandria
College choice: Morgan State University
Coach Damian Walsh: “Dante has come a long way throughout his ups and downs as a track and field athlete. His supremely positive attitude and mindset have led him to great things. Dante brought plenty of local, regional, and national attention to Episcopal throughout; his smile, his laugh, and his relentless pursuit of greatness have been a true delight to witness. A four-time state champion and also the recipient of the ultimate honor of being named as an All American, Dante is destined for great things. After much deliberation, Dante and his family decided that Morgan State would be his next challenge, and I have no doubt he will be a standout there as well.”
 
Jack Hines (lacrosse)
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
College choice: Denison University
Coach Scott Conklin: “Jack’s career started on the varsity team his sophomore year, and he has consistently been one of our top offensive threats. He possesses an outstanding shooting ability in addition to his skills as a dodger and feeder, a combination that makes him very tough to defend on the offensive side of the field. In addition to his play, we will miss his leadership. I expect that Jack will have an immediate impact playing for Denison next spring.” 
 
Garrett Johnson (basketball)
Hometown: Oakton, Va.
College choice: Princeton University
Coach Jim Fitzpatrick: “Garrett was able to play only one year of basketball at EHS, but his impact on the program in that season was unprecedented. He averaged 18.5 points per game while shooting 52% from the field and 92% from the free throw line. Garrett was not only a scorer; he averaged six rebounds and almost two assists per game. His elite athleticism was on display when he would make plays above the rim on offense, and his strength and quickness were evident when he was asked to defend several different positions on the floor. Garrett was named first team All-IAC and second team All-State in his junior year. He is a special player, and we are excited to watch him continue his playing career at Princeton.”

Lawson Laverty (lacrosse)
Hometown: Round Hill, Va.
College choice: Amherst College
Coach Scott Conklin: “It seems like Lawson has been a part of the Episcopal program for a long time despite having only competed in varsity games this spring. He is our best defender and matches up each game against the opposing team’s top offensive threat. Lawson is also a coach on the field on the defensive end, and his knowledge of the game and communication are integral to our success. Lawson is also an outstanding leader who will be missed, and we wish him all the best at Amherst next spring.”
 
Aaron Lindsey (track and field)
Hometown: Elkridge, Md.
College choice: Georgetown University
Coach Damian Walsh: “Aaron has been the consummate teammate. Before coming to EHS, he expressed his desire to compete for the Maroon and Black, and it was apparent that he was destined for great things. With some incredible hard work, determination, and resilience in the face of some tough luck, Aaron has always done what he needed to do. This particular season has been a challenge for so many, but in a testament to his focus and drive, he has set personal records in the 200-meter and 400-meter events each and every week. I look forward to following his career at Georgetown as he gets even faster.”

Nikhil Malik (basketball)
Hometown: Los Angeles
College choice: Occidental University
Coach Jim Fitzpatrick: “Nikhil came to us last year as a junior, and his love and passion for the game were apparent from the day he stepped on campus. He spends countless hours in the gym shooting and working on his game. A great teammate and competitor in practice each day, Nikhil was always improving and carefully listening to our coaching. His game has grown over the past 18 months, and he will continue to build towards being a strong college player when he suits up for Occidental next fall.” 

Sophie Novitsky (crew)
Hometown: Woodbridge, Va.
College choice: Tufts University
Coach Colleen Krivacek: “Sophie has been an indispensable member of the crew team for four years. A versatile athlete, she has filled every niche possible, participating as both rower and coxswain and as team captain during her senior year. As a freshman, she stroked the novice four with strength and determination. In successive years, she used what she learned as a rower to seamlessly transition to the coxwain’s seat. The experience behind the oar gave her extra insight into the mind of her rowers and brought a special quality of understanding and empathy to her coxing. Not surprisingly, her intuitive nature was noticed by several college coaches, and ultimately led her to commit to continuing her stellar coxing career at Tufts. I consider myself lucky not only to have been her coach but to also have been her advisor, teacher, and dorm parent as well. I’m so proud of her accomplishments and look forward to watching her continued success in the sport of rowing.”

Caroline Panton (track and field)
Hometown: New York
College choice: Mount St. Mary’s University
Coach Damian Walsh: “Caroline very quickly established herself as someone with an extensive background in track and field and someone with ability to contribute in many different ways. Caroline was an integral part of a team that has competed at the highest level, from a consummate threat in the relays at the league championships to qualifying and competing at the New Balance Nationals. Caroline can score at the league meet in the high jump, shot put, hurdles, and she also is an integral part of our relays. Caroline has plenty of potential and has reached her goal of competing at the Division I level and competing for Mount St. Mary’s. I look forward to following her success at the next level.”
 
LucRichard Rameau (football)
Hometown: Rolesville, N.C.
College choice: West Point
Coach Bodhi Amos: “LucRichard led the team in tackles in 2019-20, and his team selected him as captain in 2020-21 for his powerful physical presence at linebacker and halfback. Impressively, LucRichard put a tremendous amount of work into the offseason to turn himself into an athlete whose speed and stamina would make him an even greater threat. He also earned the High List honors. It will be a pleasure to see what LucRichard will accomplish next year in the physical and intellectual crucible of West Point.” 
 
Ryan Shepherd (basketball)
Hometown: Pennsauken, N.J.
College choice: University of Chicago
Coach Katrina Reed: “Ryan played a critical role on the girls’ basketball team in her three years at EHS; she had a positive attitude through the peaks and valleys, cultivated meaningful relationships with her teammates, and was an excellent liaison between the coaches and team. At the helm of the offense, Ryan asserted herself as one of the most tenacious point guards in the league and contributed to every game with her ability to attack the rim and hit timely perimeter shots. Her continual desire to grow as an athlete will serve her well as she transitions to the University of Chicago; we can't wait to cheer her on at the next level.”
 
Bear White (lacrosse)
Hometown: Gulf Stream, Fla.
College choice: Syracuse University
Coach Scott Conklin: “Bear has been on the varsity since his freshman year and has been an integral part of the Episcopal program. He has totaled 33 goals and 16 assists in his career and finished the 2021 season second on our team in scoring. Bear is an exceptional offensive player with an accurate shot and slick dodging ability, and his leadership and offensive skills will be missed. I’m excited to follow his career at Division I power Syracuse.”
 
Cayla Williams (basketball)
Hometown: Gainesville, Va.
College choice: University of Richmond 
Coach Katrina Reed: “Undoubtedly one of the most talented forwards to wear an Episcopal uniform, Cayla has an innate passion for the game that fueled her growth throughout her two years at Episcopal. This tremendous athlete had the ability to affect the game in multiple capacities: She could dominate in the post, hit consistently from behind the arc, and defend the toughest forwards in the paint. Cayla’s versatile on-court contributions made her a phenomenal player, but her empathetic approach to leadership made her an even better teammate. We look forward to watching Cayla compete as a University of Richmond Spider next season.”

Zedekiah Williams (track and field)
Hometown: New York
College choice: Howard University
Coach Damian Walsh: “Zedekiah has grown tremendously as a young man and as a student-athlete over his time at EHS. His talent is immense, but his personality, presence, and loyalty to his coaches and teammates are tremendous. Zeddy can be credited with a resurgence of the distance program, starting with his IAC title in the 4x800-meter relay as a freshman and his All State performance in the 800-meters as a sophomore. The ultimate team player, Zeddy lays claim to multiple All State accolades and school records. I have been blessed to be welcomed into his extremely knowledgeable and caring track and field family. Whether he is representing his track and field club from home or the Maroon and Black, I have come to appreciate that Zeddy just naturally will always lead from the front. I look forward to following his career since he will be close by at prestigious Howard.”

Ethan Yip (football)
Hometown: Surrey, British Columbia
College choice: College of William and Mary
Coach Bodhi Amos: “Ethan was a Virginia state champion in the 4x200-meter and the 4x400-meter relays. His exceptional speed and vision allowed him to cover the football field from sideline to sideline. His achievements in 2019-20, leading the team in interceptions and pass break-ups, were more impressive than any free safety that has ever come through EHS. Ethan also stood out as a compassionate and caring member of the community with High List grades. In choosing William and Mary, with its high-level football and exceptional academics, Ethan proves, once again, that he has wisdom to go along with his extraordinary athletic potential.”
 
Yeabsira Zegeye (soccer)
Hometown: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
College choice: Elizabethtown College
Coach Rick Wilcox: “Immediately upon arriving at EHS as a junior, Yeabsira had a big impact on the soccer program. Extremely talented and possessing the ability to score in a multitude of ways and with both feet, he led the team in scoring that first season. While we did not have interscholastic matches during his senior year, Yeabsira still found a way to have a massive impact on the program. He fostered an inclusive team culture by helping to coach up the younger players with an eye toward leaving the program better than he found it. He has certainly done that at EHS, and I am sure that he will do the same at Elizabethtown.”