Three Whitehall seniors have set a course for their futures, unveiling their college choices at the recent National Letter of Intent ceremony at the high school.

Kylee Cunningham is heading to the Hoosier state where she’ll be continuing her athletic career at Ball State University. She’ll play field hockey for the Cardinals, joining a team that’s begun a pipeline to area talent thanks to head coach Christy Longacre, a Freedom graduate.

She’ll join a roster that currently has two players with local connections. Forward/midfielder Sierra Jefferson attended Freedom High School, graduating in 2016, while forward Hillary Scott is from Quakertown.

Ball State, a Division I school, competes in the Mid-American Conference. They were 8-11 last year and 3-3 in the MAC. Longacre will be entering her second season at the helm in 2017.

Cunningham said that she chose Ball State because she felt comfortable around the coaches.

“I think it’s a really good fit for me because we can get along and I can talk to her, and not feel shy around her, and I think that will suit me well,” said Cunningham.

Cunningham said that the players also made her feel welcome and that definitely helped sway her decision.

Cunningham said that Ball State afforded numerous academic opportunities. She will be majoring in business and one of the draws was Ball State’s Honors College which she hopes to enter and excel in once she is enrolled.

Cunningham said that she Longacre approached her after one of her games to gauge her interest. She was initially reluctant because she never played club hockey. He interaction with Longacre changed all that.

“I took the opportunity, went out there and loved it,” said Cunningham. “As soon as I was there, I knew right then that this was for me.”

Cunningham was a forward for the Zephs during her field hockey career. Her speed set her apart from most other players and she used that to her advantage throughout her carer. She also played soccer in the fall, splitting time between the two sports. She was named to the girls soccer EPC all-star second team last fall, and was a valuable member of the basketball team as well, leading the team in three pointers with 36. Cunningham also competes in track and field as a sprinter and should once again be part of their talented 4x100 relay team.

Cunningham said that her fondest memory is playing with her teammates. Playing four sports, she realizes teamwork is essential. That mindset will serve her in college as well.

“You can’t do anything by yourself,” she said.

Zach Gilbert will be lacing up his spikes as a member of West Chester University. The Zephyr quarterback joins the Golden Rams as Whitehall’s single season passing leader, setting the mark in his lone year as the starter. His recruiting class also features running back Darnell Ferrell from Allentown Central Catholic, and offensive lineman Patrick Ferry from Parkland.

West Chester competes is the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, and last year the Golden Rams finished 8-3, second to Kutztown University in the PSAC East final standings.

They are led by head coach Bill Zwaan who is entering his 14th season at the helm. On his staff is his son, Bill Zwaan, Jr., who serves as the offensive coordinator and receivers coach. That family dynamic played a role in bringing Gilbert to West Chester. Gilbert, whose father is the head coach at Whitehall, shared that same bond with the younger Zwaan who also had that same experience.

Gilbert had two visits to West Chester and during that time realized that it would be a good fit for him academically and athletically.

“I felt like that’s what’s going to give me the best opportunity to be successful in the classroom and on the field,” said Gilbert.

Gilbert had a stellar senior season, setting school records in yards as well as TD passes. He finished the year with 2,746 yards and 31 TDs. He was also named to the EPC South All-Star second team. He guided the team to a District XI 5A Championship and into the PIAA playoffs.

Additionally, Gilbert was among those football players who were tapped as Pennsylvania Mini Max High School Award Winners. This year 62 players were nominated by their coaches and selected based on football performance, academics and community service.

He’ll also be facing former teammates who will now be members of opposing schools within the PSAC family.

“It’s going to be interesting playing against them,” he said.

Gilbert will be studying elementary education while at West Chester.

He said that his fondest memory currently stands as their PIAA playoff game versus Abington Heights.

“They were ranked as one of the top defenses in the state and we came up there and scored 35 points against them,” said Gilbert. “That was probably the most fun game as a team we all had. We were energetic and had a party bus on the way home. That was probably my best high school memory so far.”

Head coach Brian Gilbert knew that Zach could handle the reigns of the offense once he settled in as the starter. However, his history-making success may have even surprised him.

”Zach being a one year starter overachieved in our offense,” said Gilbert. “He handled the game plans each week as if he was a 2 or 3 year starter. His size allowed us to throw the ball down the middle of the field a bit more than we had in the past.”

Gilbert firmly believes that both Zach and Devin Castro, an Indiana University of Pennsylvania commit, could have played at a higher level in college. In Zach’s case he felt that his lack of experience and paucity of junior film may have hurt his opportunities.

“Still, West Chester is an outstanding program and I think he can really develop into a great college quarterback,” said Gilbert.

Devin Castro will be heading west to IUP. Castro, a two-way player as a receiver and defensive back, will be part of the incoming freshman class next year.

The Golden Hawks play in the PSAC as well, and last year finished 10-2, losing in the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs to California University.

The Golden Hawks are led by head coach Paul Tortorella who was the team’s defensive coordinator for 22 years before getting the job as the team’s leader.

“I chose IUP because of the overall family atmosphere they presented me and the successful history IUP has had in the past,” said Castro.

Castro said that he will pursue a career in athletic training with a minor in sports management during his undergraduate studies.

Castro has set his sights on making a mark in the classroom as well as the football field.

“[The] goals I have set for myself are maintaining a 3.0 GPA and becoming an impact player/leader as soon as I step on campus,” said Castro.

The memories forever blazoned in his mind will be winning the district championship and taking home the top prize in the 7on7 Championship at Penn State last summer.

Castro will be playing in the secondary for IUP. As a senior last season, Castro had a big interception in their PIAA playoff game against Archbishop Wood. He was covering Georgia recruit Mark Webb and came down with a nifty pick.

“Devin was a good two-way player for us this year,” said coach Gilbert.

Gilbert said that Castro lent strength and speed to their receiving corps and he was also capable of making big plays. Defensively, Gilbert said that Castro was asked to play a lot of man coverage.

“He came up with many big plays in important situations of the game,” he said. “He will do great at IUP. I believe Devin could have played at an FCS school so I believe IUP found a steal with Devin.”