Six student athletes have honed their skills, proven their abilities in a wide range of sports, and earned spots on college teams this fall. Three of the six will play for Roanoke College.
Senior Caity Ashley has been playing soccer since she was four years old; she is currently a striker for the school team.
“I’m pretty fast, so I use that to my advantage,” Ashley said. “I’m also a really vocal player, which is helpful to our team.”
Ashley’s travel soccer team, FCSC Fireballs, has played in showcase tournaments since she was a sophomore, when Division III coaches began to show interest. Roanoke sent recruiters to two of Ashley’s travel games, and she became interested.
“It’s a beautiful campus, a close-knit community, a great location, and it’s a great academic college,” Ashley said.
Ashley, who received several scholarships, was also contacted by the Roanoke track coach who was impressed by her cross country times. After talking to her soccer coach, she plans to do both sports and hopes sports will provide a base of support.
“Hopefully I get involved fast so that way I have various groups of friends,” Ashley said. “I hope the girls get along well.”
Roanoke College also recruited senior Caleb Lantz for his talents in basketball, which he has been playing since the third grade. Lantz is grateful for the chance to play another four years, and is excited to meet new people.
“Even if I hadn’t been recruited I’d still be happy going there,” Lantz said. “[Basketball] is like a family. You make friends you always keep.”
Senior Justina Augustine received a full athletic scholarship to Longwood University for softball; she has been playing for 10 years.
“I like that it’s a team sport and an individual sport,” Augustine said. “You have your own job within a bigger job.”
Augustine went to a summer camp and was sought by a coach who followed her progress and offered her the scholarship during sophomore year. Not only is Longwood a good athletic fit for Augustine, it also supports her academic plans.
“Of course education is most important,” Augustine said. “They offer my major, which is teaching.”
Senior Grant Holmes has been recruited to pole vault at Virginia Military Institute in the fall. Holmes participates in many track events and has been pole vaulting since the sixth grade.
“I like everything about it,” Holmes said. “[Pole vaulting] it’s my thing now. VMI is like a family. Everyone supports each other.”
Senior Chris Heras will be attending Mary Washington University for soccer, a sport he’s played for 12 years.
“It’s a unique sport,” Heras said. “It has a sense of creativity; everyone has their own playing style.”
Heras enjoys the small campus at Mary Washington; he contacted the coach and tried out to be recruited.
Senior Zach Chrisinger received an academic scholarship to attend Roanoke College where he will play lacrosse. After participating in multiple tournaments, Chrisinger contacted the Roanoke coach this past summer.
“The coach is really easy to talk to,” Chrisinger said. “He has good methods, and it’s a really successful team. I was committed to another school, but when I went to Roanoke, I fell in love with it.”
Chrisinger, who has been playing lacrosse since he was in the fourth grade, plays the attack position.
“I like the fast pace of the sport,” Chrisinger said. “I have a decent shot that helps a lot, and I have speed.”
A lot is expected from college athletes, both on the field and in the classroom. If students do not meet the high academic standards, their scholarships can be taken away. According to Chrisinger, this is no different at Roanoke.
“The coach is really strict about your GPA,” Chrisinger said. “It’ll be interesting. I’ve dreamed about [playing a sport in college] forever, and now I have the chance.”