(left to right): Marco Graci, Davey Davitt, Boogie Fland (the #1 ranked point guard who previously signed for University of Kentucky), P.J. Hodge, Nate Alvarez, Walter Briganti, Ryan Strzalkowski, Aiden Bross, Denny Piekutowksi, Michael Oronzio, and Timmy Cleary.
Ten outstanding Stepinac High School students—all seniors (Class of 2024)— officially signified their commitment to continue their education and compete as student athletes in baseball, golf, lacrosse, soccer and track and field by signing letters of intent during a National Collegiate Athletic Association Signing Day ceremony. The ceremony was held in the gymnasium of the renowned all-boys Catholic high school where parents, members of the administration and faculty, coaches, and students joined in celebrating the event.
Fr. Thomas Collins (Class of ’79), President, said: “We congratulate these exceptional student athletes for distinguishing themselves and wish them continued success in their postsecondary pursuits.”
The Stepinac November 15 National Letter of Intent Signing Day roster included:
Baseball
Walter Briganti of Rye signed for Swarthmore College. He has been a member of Stepinac’s acclaimed Susan and Daniel P. Mahoney Health Sciences Honor Academy, the National Honors Society and has served as a Peer Mentor. His baseball achievements include:
· .327 Average .470 On Base %, 2 HR, & 17 RBI
· LoHud All Westchester/Putnam Honorable Mention
· The Power Showcase World Classic participant
Golf
Timmy Cleary of White Plains signed for the Catholic University of America. Timmy was the fourth member of his Stepinac family to be inducted into the National Honor Society, following in the steps of his uncles: Thomas Lindgren (Class of ’74), Rich O’Keeffe (Class of ’85) and Kevin O’ Keeffe (Class of ’91). His achievements on the links include:
· Four- year member of Stepinac’s golf team who quickly moved into the starting roster as a sophomore and solidified his spot in the top two by his junior year.
· In his junior year, finished in the top ten players in the league comprising 15 teams and went on to compete in individual tournaments.
· Finished in the top group for the individual Catholic School State Tournament which qualified him to compete in the individual tournament amongst all New York State High Schools.
· Ranked one of the top Stepinac golfers of all time, he will serve as team captain and the number one golfer next season.
Lacrosse
P.J. Hodge of Mahopac signed for Lafayette College; Aiden Bross of Shrub Oak signed for the United States Military Academy at West Point; Denny Piekutowksi of Mahopac signed for Iona University, Michael Oronzio of Bedford also signed for Iona University and Ryan Strzalkowski of Mamaroneck signed on for Mercy College. Their achievements are:
· Hodge is a three-year, All-League player and was All-County Honorable Mention 2023.
· Bross, a member of the National Honor Society, is an All-League player and All-County Honorable Mention 2023.
· Piekutowski is a three-year, All-League player, was All-County Honorable Mention 2023 and NYCHSAA “AA” Goalie of the Year 2023.
· Oronzio is a two-year, All-League player.
· Strzalkowski is a member of the Susan and Daniel P. Mahoney Economics and Finance Academy.
Soccer
Marco Graci of Valhalla signed for the University of Scranton. A member of the National Honor Society, Graci’s athletic achievements include:
· 2023 CHSAA All-League Player
· The all-around accomplished athlete was also a three-year starter on Stepinac’s varsity soccer team. He was also a punter and kicker for the varsity football team for three years and was All-State for Football.
Track and Field
Davey Davitt of Yonkers signed for the University of Pennsylvania and Nate Alvarez of Ossining signed for Manhattan College. Alvarez also received offers from Columbia University and Adelphi University.
A member of the Susan and Daniel P. Mahoney Law Academy, Davitt had narrowed his three choices to the UPENN, Princeton and the University of North Carolina. He also received offers from Cornell, Georgetown, Northeastern, West Point and Manhattan. Among his athletic achievements:
· Current Division 1 New York State Champion for the 400-Meter Hurdles.
· US Top 10 outdoors in class of 2024 four hundred hurdles
· Ranked #1 in the class 2024 in the USA for 500m in 2023.
· 4th Fastest 500 time in New York state History as a Junior
· Placed fourth in Europe at the European Youth Olympics (seed time would have medaled) four hundred hurdles time of 53.02.
· Chosen to Team Ireland for European Youth Olympics for four hundred hurdles and Medley Relay
· Ranked USA # 9 out of all grades in 500m 2023 time of 1:04.14
· Also Ranked USA #9 out of all grades in 600m in 2023 time of 1:20.87
· 2x CHSAA 400m Hurdle Champion
Alvarez is a member of the Susan and Daniel P. Mahoney Engineering Academy. His athletic achievements include:
· Won the 2023 New York Relays in the High Jump, clearing 6’4.”
· Won the 2023 Eastern States Invitational for High Jump, 6’2”
· Finished third place in Division 1 States and fifth place in the High Jump at the 2023 Federation Championships, 6’4.”
· Set a high personal record, jumping, and clearing 6’6,”
winning the 2023 Gerry Sullivan Invitational.
To learn more about Stepinac High School, visit www.Stepinac.org.
