PWHS athletes participate in fall National Signing Day
PWHS athletes participate in fall National Signing Day
Congratulations to the eleven Plymouth Whitemarsh High School student-athletes recognized on Wednesday, November 13 — the 2024 fall National Signing Day for college athletics.
Julian Alderfer, Diving, West Chester University
Next year, Julian Alderfer will be diving for the Division II West Chester University Golden Rams. As a Colonial, Julian earned first place at the 2024 Suburban One League division championships, fourth place at districts, and competed at the state level — while receiving Suburban One All League Second Team in diving and All League First Team recognition. He’s earned varsity letters for swimming and diving for three years and is the only member of the team to compete in both swimming and diving. He started his swimming career at age six and diving at age nine or 10 with his mom as his coach. He is also part of Colonial Community Aquatics, Ply-Mar, and the Philadelphia Diving Academy.
Outside of the pool at PW, Julian is also a member of the Ultimate Frisbee team and recently started to participate in DECA. He believes that PW has taught him how to balance his athletic life, academic life, and social life and helped him develop the determination and discipline for the future.
Amanda Busk, Volleyball, College of Charleston
Amanda Busk is looking forward to playing volleyball for the Division I Cougars at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. As an outside hitter and middle blocker for the Colonials, Amanda held the highest hitting percentage and had the most blocks in 2022 and had the most kills and highest kills per set in 2023. This year, Amanda finished the season being voted Player of the Year for the Suburban One League American Conference by the coaches of the Suburban One League. She’s ranked 11th in the state in hitting percentage and 12th in kills and was named to the JVA watchlist and Exact Sports Top 100 Nationally. She received invitations to the UA Next All-American Games Camp Series in 2023 and 2024 and was named First Team All League in 2023 and 2024 and All District in 2023.
A big moment in her volleyball career was winning the Suburban One League conference through an undefeated season and going to states in the postseason during her first year on varsity. She began playing the sport in eighth grade through CYO volleyball and fully committed to the sport her freshman year at PW. She also plays for East Coast Power Volleyball Bucks.
Through her work in the classroom, Amanda has also earned Scholastic Honors in 10th grade, Distinguished Honors in 9th and 11th grade, and an Award for Academic Achievement. While she’s undecided on her major, Amanda is looking forward to the intense energy of college games, representing her school, and constantly pushing her limits at the College of Charleston.
Gabe Caucci, Baseball, Gettysburg College
Gabe Caucci will be continuing his baseball career next year with the Division III Gettysburg College Bullets. The two-year varsity captain for the Colonials plays infield and boasts a .352 batting average, 20 stolen bases, and 23 runs. His PW highlights include the 6A state playoffs in 2023 and 2024 and a walkoff single against Springfield. He has also been named Suburban One League Second Team Shortstop.
Gabe started baseball at age five and has played for the Whitemarsh Little League, Uncommon Baseball, Whitemarsh American Legion, and Philly Bandits.
An International Baccalaureate student at PW, Gabe is a member of the National Honor Society, Sports Debate Club, and IB Club. He’s been named to the Distinguished Honor Roll for six semesters, and earned a five on his AP Statistics exam.
Gabe plans to study business at Gettysburg College.
Kalina Childers, Softball, Thomas Jefferson University
Kalina Childers will be playing softball next year for the Division II Thomas Jefferson University Rams. An outfielder for the Colonials, Kalina has a .385 batting average with 25 hits, five home runs, and 17 RBIs. She was named Suburban One All League Honorable Mention in 2021-2022 and moved up to All League First Team in 2023-2024. Her highlights include battling North Penn during the playoff run in the 2023 season and beating Quakertown in 2024 to win the league title. Kalina started her softball career at age five and plays travel softball for Invasion Fastpitch Gold.
Kalina has earned Distinguished Honor Roll status for four semesters, Scholastic Honor Roll for two, and is a member of the National Honor Society. She believes that PW has prepared her academically and athletically for the future and is looking forward to playing at a higher level and creating new bonds with her future teammates at Thomas Jefferson University, where she plans to major in architecture.
Hayden Domers, Lacrosse, Stevenson University
Hayden Domers will be heading to Stevenson University in Maryland to play Division III lacrosse for the Mustangs. A midfielder for the Colonials, Hayden enjoys the sport because it’s fast-paced with no downtime. PW highlights include beating Neshaminy and North Penn on their senior nights and an overtime victory over rival Wissahickon. Hayden started playing lacrosse in fourth grade and has played for club team True Philly and the select team True Regional. After growing up watching teams play at Lincoln Financial Field, he is looking forward to having a chance to play there himself.
At Stevenson University, Hayden plans to study business.
Rhianna Gooneratne, Golf, University of Delaware
Rhianna Gooneratne will be playing Division I golf at the University of Delaware next year. As a Colonial, Rhianna has held the lowest nine-hole score average on the team for the past three years. She is the 2023 and 2024 Suburban One League Champion and the 2023 PIAA AAA State Champion. She enjoys the sport as a mental challenge and believes her career at PW has taught her the importance of having fun while also staying focused when competing.
She started playing golf when she was eight years old and participates in tournaments outside of school.
At PW, Rhianna is a member of the Class of 2025 Steering Committee and co-secretary of the National Honor Society. In her freshman year, she played basketball and lacrosse. At the University of Delaware, she plans to major in Actuarial Science and is looking forward to competing and building friendships that will last beyond her college career.
Madison Moran, Softball, Rider University
Madison Moran will be heading to Rider University next year, where she will be playing Division I softball for the Broncs. As pitcher for the Colonials, Madison has a 1.81 earned run average and more than 100 strikeouts. She was named All League Honorable Mention Pitcher in 2024 and All League Honorable Mention Third Base in 2023. Her highlights include beating Pennridge to make it to the state playoffs in 2023, playing a 10-inning game against state champions North Penn, and becoming the 2024 Suburban One League champions. Madison’s softball career started when she was six years old, and she also plays for Philadelphia Spirit Gold 18u.
Outside of athletics, Madison is a member of the Microfinance Club, the Cancer Awareness Club, and Future Educators of America Club. At Rider, Madison plans to major in Elementary Education and is looking forward to playing at the highest level and making new friends while furthering her education.
Rian Reed, Softball, Clarion University
Rian Reed will be playing softball next year with the Division II Golden Eagles at Clarion University. A pitcher for the Colonials, Rian was named to the Suburban One All League Second Team in ninth and tenth grade, and All League First and Second Teams her junior year. In 2024, she received the Times Herald All Area Team honor and PA Prep Live All Area Honorable mention and was ranked in the top eight right-handed pitchers in Pennsylvania by Legacy and Legends Softball for the class of 2025.
Her highlights at PW include celebrating her 100th career strikeout during the Upper Moreland game last season and the team's 7-4 win against Quakertown with two home runs and five RBIs, placing the team in a tie as the 2024 Suburban One League Liberty Division Champions.
Rian started playing recreational softball at age six and joined a travel team at age 11. She is finishing her travel career with Invasion Fastpitch Gold.
A Distinguished Honors student at PW, Rian is excited to see how playing at the collegiate level will push her to improve and compete against strong teams. Rian plans to major in Cardiac Sonography at Clarion.
Aidan Smith, Swimming, Dickinson College
Aidan Smith will be continuing his swimming career as a Red Devil at Division III Dickinson College. A team captain and four-year varsity swimmer for the Colonials, Sam participates in sprint and mid-distance freestyle and butterfly. He is a four-year district qualifier and three-year state qualifier. His highlights include winning the 2024 Suburban One League Championship and being named All State Honorable Mention.
Aidan started swimming competitively in seventh grade and also swam for the Upper Dublin Aquatic Club. As an honors student, he believes that his time at PW has taught him the importance of discipline and responsibility and helped him invest in himself and work toward making those around him better.
Sam Stolzer, Baseball, University of Scranton
Next year, Sam Stolzer will be joining the Division III Royals baseball team at the University of Scranton. A three-year varsity performer for the Colonials, Sam has played outfield and catcher and was named to the 2024 Bux-Mont Carpenter Cup Team. PW highlights include making the district and state playoffs two years in a row and drafting his own team as a senior captain for the fall World Series.
Sam started organized baseball at four years old and played for Uncommon Baseball throughout high school. He enjoys hitting home runs and is looking forward to bonding with his team and competing for a national championship as a Royal.
An honor roll student at PW, Sam also played golf this year and participates in the sports debate club. He plans to major in Finance at the University of Scranton.
Max Vizza, football, Dickinson College
Max Vizza will be heading to Dickinson College next year to play Division III football for the Red Devils. As the center for the Colonials, Max has never allowed a sack, earning him all Suburban One League and All District honors. He holds this year’s playoff win against Souderton as a particular highlight. Max’s favorite thing about the sport is that it’s not just physical; he says that your mind is the key to your success in football. He looks forward to showing off his talents at the next level.
Max started playing football in ninth grade. At PW, he is also manager of the flag football team and a member of the National Honor Society.