It was all but inevitable that Carlin McFadden would compete in college track. Running, after all, is in her DNA.
“Since I’m a track athlete, I feel like running has become part of my personality at this point,” the Central Bucks West senior said. “I can’t see myself not running, so since I started achieving a lot of really big things, it became pretty clear to me that I wanted to keep running.”
McFadden, fresh off a gold medal finish in the 800-meter run at the District One 3A Track and Field Championships, was one of nine Central Bucks West seniors recognized on Monday, May 17, for committing to continue their sport at the collegiate level.
The West senior chose Queens University of Charlotte from a final list that also included East Carolina, Iona and Jacksonville. She will also run cross country.
“When I took my campus tour, it kind of just clicked for me,” said McFadden, who is undecided on a major but looking to pursue something in the science field. “The whole aspect of it being a small school in a big city really spoke to me, and it just felt like the right fit for me when I was on campus.”
Conor Gross began competing in track sophomore year to stay in shape for soccer and had unexpected success. It took off from there, and he will continue his track and cross country career at Catholic University, choosing the Washington, D.C., school from a final list that included Bucknell, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Loyola.
“The most important thing was the location and being right in D.C.,” said Gross, who will major in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace. “It gives me a lot of opportunities not only socially but also with internships. Also, the academic programs are really good, and I can use them to get a good job in D.C.”
Jack Foster will continue his track career at Washington and Lee University where he will pursue a statistics or chemistry major with a possible minor in business. He also considered the alma mater of his parents, Centre College in Kentucky.
“It was really the combination of having the chance to continue my athletic career with the added opportunities that Washington and Lee brought with its academics, and I really liked the location,” said Foster, who changed his focus from basketball to track in middle school. “I realized my strengths happen to be more suited for track rather than basketball.”
Paige Gilbert and Shelby Hahn will both continue their lacrosse careers at the Division I level at the College of William & Mary and Marist College respectively.
Gilbert, a first team All-SOL selection in basketball as well, began to take lacrosse seriously at the encouragement of former West coach Rebecca Cartee-Haring.
“She said, ‘You should start playing club,’” Gilbert said. “I started playing club, and that’s when I started getting noticed. That’s when I decided to pursue lacrosse because I can’t really see myself not playing a sport.”
Gilbert, undecided on a major, chose William & Mary from a final list that also included St. Joseph’s and Connecticut.
Hahn, who will major in criminal justice, began playing both lacrosse and soccer as a youngster and made the decision to pursue lacrosse in eighth grade. She chose Marist from a final list that included Cincinnati, Connecticut, Oregon and the U.S. Naval Academy.
“Coach (Keegan) Wilkinson put a lot of emphasis on being a family, which is very important to me,” said Hahn. “I’m a very team-oriented person and player, and I think it’s very important to emphasize the bonds you make with your teammates outside the sport while being in the sport.”
Connor Albrecht will continue his lacrosse career at Stockton University where he will major in business. He also considered Tampa, DeSales and Ursinus, choosing the New Jersey school for its environment.
“I felt so welcomed, especially by the coach, and I have childhood friends that play on the team, so playing with them again will be awesome,” said Albrecht, who was encouraged to try lacrosse as a youngster by CB South assistant Chris Jacobsen. “I’ve been playing for 11 years, and ever since, I’ve always wanted to play in college.”
Cole Graeff will continue his lacrosse career at Delaware Valley University, choosing the Doylestown school from a final list that included Bryn Athyn, Alvernia and Albright.
“I get to stay close to home, and I have some tremendous opportunities academically and athletically,” said Graeff, who will major in biology. “Playing lacrosse is what I love to do, and I always thought – this is what I’m going to do.”
Brianna Livezey will continue her volleyball career at Susquehanna University where she will major in neuroscience and biomedical studies. She also considered King’s College, Thomas Jefferson and Elon.
“I loved the team and the dynamic of the campus – everyone is just so nice there,” said Livezey, who made the decision to pursue collegiate volleyball her junior year. “I knew I really wanted to keep playing because I just love the sport.”
Teddy Spratt grew up competing in sports and the 6-foot-4 senior found a home on the basketball court. He will continue his basketball career at Millersville University and also considered West Chester, Caldwell and Scranton.
“I liked the coach and the athletic facilities,” Spratt said. “All my older siblings play college sports, so I knew I wanted to.”
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