For most athletes, it’s a dream to play their favorite sport at the college level.

Some players start thinking about college athletics even before their high school careers get under way. Emmaus High School seniors Alicia Cooperman and Miranda O’Donald are two athletes in particular that had those aspirations at an early age.

Those two, along with three other Hornet female senior athletes, recently made those dreams a reality after they signed letters of intent to play a sport at the Division I or II level. A total of 11 Hornet seniors were recognized last week for their signings in the high school’s auditorium.

“Ever since I was in middle school I was debating whether I wanted to play in high school,” said Cooperman, who will play field hockey at James Madison University. “I’m just very happy that I was able to succeed and accomplish my goal.”

Cooperman gave a commitment to James Madison over a year ago, even prior to her final season on the Hornets’ successful program that now has 27 straight district titles to its name. And once the recruitment process started, it didn’t take long for her to find her school of choice.

“I wasn’t really talking to too many people,” Cooperman said. “Once I saw James Madison I instantly fell in love, and I just kind of dropped everything and went straight for them.”

An all-state member and a Harrow/NFHCA (National Field Hockey Coaches Association) all-regional selection, Cooperman is excited for the challenge that awaits her at the Division I level.

“They’re really tough and they want everyone to succeed, but they’re just nice people,” Cooperman said. “Everyone on the campus is very welcoming and generous. It was a home feeling.”

Cooperman plans to major in nursing.

O’Donald, who will continue her softball career at the Division I level at the University of Delaware, had those same college goals early in her career.

“Ever since I was a little kid and I saw other softball players at the college level on TV and went to games, I was always excited,” O’Donald said. “That was one of my dreams and something I really wanted to do. It really is a dream come true.”

She took two overnight visits to Delaware and there was something that stood above Morgan State, her other top choice, that swayed her to become a Blue Hen.

“I talked to a lot of different coaches, but the main schools I was deciding between were Delaware and Morgan State,” O’Donald said. “But Delaware, academically, the campus and everything, I just fell in love. I love the girls and the coaching staff.”

O’Donald will major in athletic training and exercise science.

Two Hornet lacrosse players, whose senior seasons will get underway in a matter of weeks, were also recognized for their future career plans.

Lacrosse defender Morgan Schantz chose Shippensburg University, while Destanee Watkins (who has scored over 100 goals in her career) will play at Kutztown University.

The duo spent their high school years competing along side one another. But over the next four seasons, they’ll face off as opponents in the competitive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

Abigail Moore, a libero on the Hornets’ volleyball team, will move to the PSAC as well as she continues her collegiate playing days at East Stroudsburg University. She helped lead Emmaus to a 22-10-1 record and appearances in the league and district tournaments.