This fall, 11 seniors will transition from the Sacred Heart Greenwich athletic community to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as they continue their respective sports in college. After successful high school athletic careers, they are excited for this next challenge of competing on the collegiate level.
Seniors Maddy Hartnett, Annika Wise, Ainsley Clough, Keira Frascella, Charly Nemec, Charley Bacigalupo, Lilly Dallesandro, Daphne Fallon, Isabella Salerno, Jadamarie Henry, and Katilyn Droscoski will all further their education and athletics at Division I (DI) and Division III (DIII) institutions. Annika shared how she fell in love with water polo.
“I started playing water polo at my summer club when I was seven, and from the very beginning, I loved the combination of strategy, endurance, and teamwork that the sport demands,” Annika said. “As I grew more passionate and competitive, I knew I wanted to keep challenging myself and playing at the highest level possible, which led me to pursue the sport in college.”
The commitment to continue sports in college reflects deep passion and dedication. Charley, Maddy, and Daphne have contributed to the varsity lacrosse team for the past four years, and this year, they served as team captains. Daphne will go on to play Division I lacrosse at Georgetown University. Maddy will continue her lacrosse career at Furman University. Next year, Charley will play lacrosse at the University of Notre Dame. The University of Notre Dame women’s lacrosse team ranks 32nd overall in the DI NCAA rankings, according to ncaa.com. Charley explained why she chose Notre Dame.
“Throughout the recruiting process, I saw many schools; however, I always knew Notre Dame was the one,” Charley said. “The beautiful campus and the amazing athletic community [were] what compelled me to commit to Notre Dame my junior year.”
Ainsley led the team as co-captain to their Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) championship win this year. She will continue her field hockey career at the College of the Holy Cross. Meanwhile, co-captain Charly chose the University of Virginia (UVA) to continue her field hockey and academic career. With a record of 14-5 in their 2024 season, UVA ranks fourth in the NCAA, according to ncca.com.
Jadamarie led the Sacred Heart varsity basketball team to their FAA win this year. She will play basketball at the University of Mount Saint Vincent. Currently the team ranks sixth in the Skyline Conference, according to skylineconference.com.
Isabella served as the captain of the Sacred Heart golf team for the 2025 season. Next year, she will go on to play golf at Bowdoin College. Bowdoin competes in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) league and is currently in the NCAA championship, according to athletics.bowden.edu.
Keira and Kaitlyn have rowed for the Greenwich Crew team throughout their high school careers. Keira will continue on to Boston University and compete in the Patriot League. Kaitlyn will continue her rowing career at Georgetown University. Furthermore, Lilly will join the Holy Cross women’s rowing team this fall, which ranks seventh in the Patriot League, according to patriotleague.org. Lilly served as co-captain of the varsity rowing team for the 2024 Fall and Spring season. She expressed how Sacred Heart sports led her to want to play at the next level.
“Sacred Heart sports [have] helped me develop my resilience, leadership, and time management abilities,” Lilly said. “The competitive atmosphere, high standards, and strong sense of team culture [have] helped me become the person who I am today. I now know how to overcome obstacles, encourage my teammates both on and off the field, and find a balance between academics and athletics. Additionally, all of my coaches at Sacred Heart have been crucial in my development as an athlete and an individual. The foundation Sacred Heart has provided me gives me confidence going into collegiate athletics.”
Featured Image by Addie Callaway ’27
