Editor's note: This is part one is a series of stories about the recent spring signees at Whitehall.

With pens firmly in their hands, another group of Whitehall High School student-athletes inked their intentions to continue their athletic careers at area colleges.

This group represented the final collection of Whitehall student-athletes to formalize their future plans. It was also the biggest group since the signing period began, with 13 students adding their names to the dotted line. That brings this year's total to 23.

The current crop included, Anthony Bellucci, Matt Bonshak, Zachary Delp, John Johnson, Nicholas Kuti, Michael Leonhardt, Elliot Mortimer, Jacob Pesarick, Braylynn Reimer, Mark Roth, Tyler Sweeney, Jacob Szakal and Nicole Umbenhauer.

Senior Anthony Bellucci, a guard on the Zephyr basketball team, will be heading to Penn State-Berks in the fall. He said that when he went to the campus in Reading, he felt an immediate connection, like he was accepted. And when he met assistant coach D'Wayne Duncan, he knew he was at the right place.

"It was kind of like a great fit," said Bellucci.

He also said the campus was beautiful, tucked into the rolling foothills of the Appalachian mountains.

Bellucci said that he's anxious to join a team that's coming off a season where they won the North Eastern Athletic Conference South Division title.

He'll be studying criminal justice, and when he's on the floor, he'll be looking to lock up three pointers like he did for the Zephyrs.

As far as his time at Whitehall, Bellucci said he learned a great deal about responsibility and basic life lessons during his playing career. He also credits head coach Jeff Jones and assistant coach Corey Frantz for fixing his shot coming out of his freshman year. Moreover, he valued their guidance and dedication both on and off the court.

"They've done a lot for me," said Bellucci. "They're a big part of my life, not just as coaches, but as people."

Bellucci's goal at PSU- Berks is to help the team win and make it back to the playoffs.

Matt Bonshak is taking that short trek down Route 378 to Lehigh University. That's where he'll hang his bat and glove for the next four years.

An accomplished wrestler with over 100 varsity wins, Bonshak chose to go with his "first love" baseball, deciding to play for coach Sean Leary in the Patriot League.

Bonshak said that Lehigh has always been at the top of his list from a very early age.

"I had my eye on Lehigh since I was in elementary school," said Bonshak.

He was also familiar with the school since his cousin Jimmy Potocnie played football for the Mountain Hawks (2005-09), and his sister, Erinn, plays field hockey at the Bethlehem school. It's that familiarity that helped sway him.

"I feel very comfortable there," said Bonshak. "I know my way around, and it's a place where I just feel at home."

He'll be studying International Business, deciding on a course that has a lot of opportunities in a global economy.

Bonshak has been playing varsity baseball since his freshman year, absorbing as much as he could when he first arrived from upperclassman, Pat Bet and Bruce Gerhard.

"I wanted to emulate what they were like, and wanted to be that type of teammate," said Bonshak.

He said it's been a great learning experience being around such a diverse group since he began his playing career at Whitehall. He'll now take what's he learned and apply it as a member of the Mountain Hawks. He said he'll bring the same intensity that's embodied his baseball career at Whitehall.

"It's a sport I really have a passion for," said Bonshak. "I never get tired of it, and win or lose, I'll always perform to the best of my ability."

Zach Delp, a two-sport standout at Whitehall, decided that Kutztown University is where he wanted to continue his football career.

The senior linebacker/tight end said it was late in the recruiting process and he still hadn't made a decision. After considering some Division I AA schools, as well as some Division III schools, Delp took a trip south to Kutztown. Once he arrived at the university, the journey was over.

"I immediately knew that's then place I wanted to be," said Delp.

Delp said that his decision was further cemented when he met the football team, describing them as close group of guys who are aided by a good coaching staff, made more attractive by its proximity to home.

As a student-athlete at Whitehall, Delp said that he learned about hard work, the lessons of which were reinforced every time he took the field in a tough Lehigh Valley Conference. Delp also said he had a lot of good coaches who helped mold his talent while as a Zephyr, and looks forward to beginning his career as a Golden Bear.

Delp, who was recently named as an LVC first team all-star in baseball, plans to major in pre-med/biology at Kutztown. As for playing under coach Drew Folmer, Delp said his approach will be to put in the hard work necessary to make an impact.

"My goal is to obviously play and help the team," said Delp. "And I want to be the best player I can out on the field."

Volleyball player Nicholas Kuti is striking east, signing to play at Rutgers University-Newark this fall.

Like many of his fellow signees, Kuti also felt an affinity for the school when he visited. He said the Newark, New Jersey campus was someplace he felt at ease.

"When I went there, they made me feel like it was the place to go," said Kuti.

He got to meet the coaching staff, visit with players, and soak in the college atmosphere which helped inform his decision.

Kuti will be enrolled in their business department, and looks forward to the next phase of his life.

As a player under head coach George Cowitch, Kuti experienced a productive career, helping the Zephs become one of the dominant teams in the LVC during his tenure.

"Nick was a great player to come through this program," said Cowitch. "He holds the all-time kills record at 752 for his career. He was a part of all three District XI Championship games. He was an impact player who will be greatly missed next season. He was also first team all-Lehigh Valley Conference, finishing second in MVP voting."

He was also recently named to the all-area team from a local publication.

Kuti said he learned how to deal with adversity while playing for Whitehall, experiencing both success and failure as a volleyball player.

When he begins his time as a Scarlet Knight, Kuti said his priority is to "get a good education and have fun playing volleyball."