PWHS scholar-athletes celebrate spring National Signing Day
PWHS scholar-athletes celebrate spring National Signing Day
Congratulations to the Plymouth Whitemarsh High School scholar-athletes who have committed to continuing their sports careers at the college level—including five who will be competing for Division I schools.
Colonial School District recognized the students at a spring National Signing Day celebration on April 23.
Megan Bergin, Cheerleading, Towson University
Megan Bergin will be cheering for the Division I Tigers of Towson University next year. As a backspot, Megan was awarded the 2023-2024 season Most Valuable Player and was honored as a 2024-2025 Universal Cheerleaders Association, or UCA, All-American. During her time on the squad, the PW cheerleaders have been named third nationally in 2023, second in the world in 2024, and Suburban One League Champions and fourth nationally this year.
Megan is looking forward to growing her abilities as an athlete and becoming a more well-rounded person as the face of her school and community. She started cheer in 2015 with the Conshohocken Elite Panthers and spent a year on the State All Stars.
At PW, Megan participates in Letters for Rose and the National Honor Society, while being named to the Distinguished Honor Roll. At Towson, she plans to major in Criminal Justice.
Kayla Birkmire, Cheerleading, University of Louisville
Kayla Birkmire will be cheering for the Division I Cardinals next year at the University of Louisville. The three year varsity cheerleader, Senior Sideline Cheer Captain, and a flyer for the Colonials, Kayla was also named a Universal Cheerleaders Association All American. She believes that PW has taught her how to lead by example, stay focused under pressure, and balance academics with athletics. Her favorite thing about the sport is the bond established by the team.
She began her cheerleading career when she was four years old with the PW Spartans. For the past six years, she has also participated as a Level 6 Worlds Athlete with the Upper Merion All Stars. At the University of Louisville, Kayla is looking forward to competing as a D1 athlete surrounded by others who are just as compassionate and competitive.
Outside of cheerleading, Kayla is also the treasurer for both the National Art Honor Society and the Photo Club, in addition to being a member of the yearbook staff her senior year. She plans to major in Exercise Physiology at the University of Louisville.
Gabriella Caintic, Rowing, High Point University
Gabriella Caintic will be rowing for the Division I High Point University Panthers in North Carolina next year. A member of Whitemarsh Boat Club, Gabriella has been named to the USRowing Scholastic Honor Roll and was selected to compete at Head of the Charles regatta in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Her boat also won first place in B Finals at the USRowing Youth Nationals in 2023 and 2024. She is looking forward to begin training, because she feels that her experience with Whitemarsh Boat Club has prepared her for the rigor of playing at the Division I level.
Meanwhile, her time at PW strengthened her interest in the medical field and taught her how to be a successful student-athlete. Gabriella is a member of the Microbiology Club, PW Mini-THON, and the Interact Club. She plans to major in Pre-Med at High Point.
James Fassbender, Tennis, Ursinus University
James Fassbender will be playing tennis next year for the Division III Bears at Ursinus College. With a career record of 58-26 at PW, James has been a PIAA District 1 qualifier for four years in both singles and doubles. His proudest moments come from beating Wissahickon for the first time his junior year, being the first boys tennis player to qualify for districts in over 13 years as a freshman, and winning the league doubles tournament for the third year in a row as a senior. He was named Second Team All-League Singles in ninth grade and First Team All-League in 10th and 11th grade.
His favorite thing about the sport is the need to constantly problem-solve and be mentally tougher than your opponent to win a match. He appreciates that his time at PW has given him the chance to compete against—and learn from—some of the best players in the state.
James started playing tennis at age six with his father at a local summer camp. He became a member of the United States Tennis Association at age 12 and has been playing in junior tournaments during the off-season for the past six years.
A National Honor Society Member and Distinguished Honor Roll student at PW, James also participated in swimming and cross country, DECA, and as a trumpet player in the concert band. He plans to major in Business and Economics/Political Science.
Kevin Hegarty, Football, Wilkes University
Kevin Hegarty will be heading to Wilkes University next year to play football for the Division III Colonels. In the past two years as a linebacker for the Colonials, Kevin has made 138 tackles and three interceptions with two of those being pick sixes. He was named Second Team All League as a sophomore, First Team All League and All Area his junior and senior year, and Honorable Mention All State this year.
Kevin started his football career at the age of five for the Spartans. He believes that football has taught him how to work hard and be a better person, and his favorite thing about the sport is hitting people as hard as he can.Jadon Joseph, Football, Long Island University
Jadon Joseph will be playing football next year for the Division I Sharks at Long Island University. A defensive end for the Colonials, Jadon had 49 tackles (10 for a loss), eight sacks, three pass breakups, and one interception during his senior year alone. He’s been named First Team All League defensive tackle twice, a top ten returning defensive tackle in District 1 for the 2024-2025 season, as well as First Team All Area and All State defensive tackle his senior year. A highlight of his PW career is the Buxmont Showcase at the end of his junior year where he dominated District 1 as a defensive lineman.
At Long Island University, Jadon is looking forward to his first game against the Florida Gators and, in the long term, is planning to give back to the people who helped him reach a high level of performance and work with younger teammates and other players who come through PW as a mentor. He started playing football in seventh grade at Colonial Middle School and had a short stint with the Conshy Bears in ninth grade.
An honor roll student at PW, Jadon also runs track and field and is the president of the Black Cultural Awareness Club. He plans to major in Criminal Justice.
Chloe Mamrosch, Volleyball, Catholic University of America
Chloe Mamrosch will be playing volleyball next year for the Division III Cardinals at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. As a setter for the Colonials, Chloe has racked up 43 aces, 281 assists, and 82 digs, while earning the Most Assists Award her senior year as well as an All League Honorable Mention. Her favorite things about the sport are encouraging her teammates to have positive energy on and off the court and the friendships she’s made along the way.
Chloe began playing volleyball for Highline Volleyball Club when she was 11 years old and played one year in Club Integrity. For the past eight years, she also played St. Phillip Neri CYO.
At PW, Chloe participates in student council, the senior steering committee, and is secretary of the Student Coalition. A four-year Distinguished Honor Roll student, she plans to major in Psychology at Catholic University.
Ava Matthias, Field Hockey, Shippensburg
Ava Matthias will be heading to Shippensburg University next year to play field hockey for the Division II Raiders. A four-year varsity starter for the Colonials, Ava began her PW career as Rookie-of-the-Year and ended as Defensive-Player-of-the-Year and Captain as a senior. She was named Suburban One All League Honorable Mention twice and Second Team her sophomore and senior years. Her favorite thing about the sport is the family, friends, and memories she has gained from it.
She started playing Field Hockey in third grade through the Colonial Field Hockey Club, with her mom as coach. Her club team is the Philly Hockey Club.
Outside of sports, Ava is a member of the French Club. She plans to study Psychology at Shippensburg.
Shi-Nobi Morffiah, Football, Wilkes University
Shi-Nobi Morffiah will be playing football next year for the Wilkes University Colonels. As a Colonial, Shi-Nobi earned First Team All League Honors as a defensive end and Honorable Mention as a left guard. He loves the discipline of the sport and how the game gets you ready for life. He believes his career at PW taught him the value of hard work, commitment, and teamwork. At Wilkes, he is looking forward to the opportunity to grow both on and off the field.
Shi-Nobi started playing football in middle school and also wrestles for the Colonials. Outside of sports, he has also been named to the Honor Roll and is a member of the National Business Honor Society. At Wilkes University, Shi-Nobi plans to major in Accounting and Finance.
Eddie Moyett, Football, Ursinus College
Eddie Moyett will be heading up Germantown Pike to Ursinus College in the fall to play football for the Division III Bears. The captain of the Colonials was named First Team All league offensive tackle and Second Team defensive tackle in 2023 and Second Team All League in 2024 as both defensive and offensive tackle.
The highlight of his PW career is the four straight league titles. His favorite thing about the sport is the brotherhood.
Eddie plans to major in Pre-Engineering at Ursinus.
Michael Rex, Soccer, FC Odisea Football Academy
Michael Rex will be heading overseas to Valencia, Spain, to attend the FC Odisea Football Academy. As a center back for the Colonials, Michael learned that a team-first mentality can be the difference between winning and losing a game. A particular highlight of his time at PW is making the playoffs his junior year. At the FC Odisea Football Academy, Michael is looking forward to finding a deeper understanding of the tactical side of the sport. He would like to continue to grow as an individual player but, more importantly, grow as a teammate.
Michael started playing soccer as soon as he could walk and has played for the Roxborough United Soccer Club, Colonial Soccer Club, and currently the Unity Football Club.
Chase Smith, Football, Ithaca College
Chase Smith will be playing football for the Division III Bombers at Ithaca College in the fall. A cornerback for the Colonials, Chase made 30 tackles and four touchdowns with 500 all-purpose yards his senior year, earning him First Team All League honors. He is looking forward to making a quick impact and improving his skills at the college level.
Chase started playing football in the fifth grade. He plans to major in Strategic Leadership at Ithaca.
Kaylin Smyth, Lacrosse, Shippensburg University
Kaylin Smyth will be playing lacrosse for the Division II Raiders at Shippensburg University next year. A defender and three-year starter for the Colonials, Kaylin was team captain her junior year and enjoyed how the team got better each year. Her PW highlights include beating Wissahickon her freshman and sophomore years and the team trip to Florida her junior year.
At PW, Kaylin stayed busy as a multi-sport athlete, having also participated in field hockey, basketball, and tennis before being sidelined by an ACL tear in the fall of her senior year. She credits PW for exposing her to high level academics and athletics that will set her up for success at the next level. Kaylin began playing lacrosse in eighth grade and was also on the Dynasty Elite Lacrosse Club team.
She plans to major in Business Management at Shippensburg.
Jared Thomas-Payne, Football, Delaware State University
Jared Thomas-Payne will be heading to Delaware State University next year to play football for the Division I Hornets. A left tackle for the Colonials, Jared is ranked 40th in the state and was twice named First Team All League and twice Offensive Lineman of the Year. A highlight of his PW career is a playoff game against Manheim. During the game, he dislocated his shoulder, but was able to self-correct it and continue to play. He sees the game as proof that the team was much more prepared, stronger, and locked in than expected. He looks forward to competing in front of larger crowds and building strong connections with his coaches and teammates at Delaware State.
Jared started playing football in seventh grade at Colonial Middle School. He earned a spot on the Honor Roll his junior year and plans to major in Business.
Congratulations and good luck to all of the scholar-athletes!