The high school wrestling season is just beginning and lacrosse won’t start until March but four Churchville-Chili seniors already know where they’ll be competing as collegiate athletes next year. Sam Eagan, Justin Ferraraccio, Trevor Hodgins and Jake Mortier each signed letters of intent on November 18 in front of family and friends.
Eagan, who currently wrestles at 220 for the Saints, will be heading to Division I Wyoming next year to compete as a heavyweight. A four-year varsity wrestler, Eagan will major in history education while grappling for the Cowboys.
“Sam has a sincere love for the sport and has the motivation to put in the necessary work and not just want something,” said Tom Ehmann, head coach of the Churchville-Chili wrestling program.
In Ehmann’s nine years as head coach, Eagan becomes the first Division I signing for a wrestler.
Hodgins will also head to a Division I program when he attends Ohio State University next fall. Hodgins is a midfielder on the lacrosse team and served as a captain during his junior year. Before he suits up for the Buckeyes and majors in business administration at OSU, Hodgins will participate in his fifth year of varsity lacrosse this spring.
“Trevor had lacrosse skills at a young age and has become more and more of a leader during his time at Churchville-Chili,” said Joe Aquilina, head coach of the boys lacrosse team.
Ferraraccio will head just up the road to Division II Roberts Wesleyan next year to play lacrosse for the Redhawks. A defenseman and long-stick midfielder, Ferraraccio will major in business administration at RWC after his fourth year on varsity lacrosse.
“Over the years, Justin has become tougher and a true physical presence on our defense,” said Aquilina.
Mortier enters his fourth year of varsity lacrosse this spring and will join the LeMoyne University Dolphins next fall. Mortier, a midfielder, will major in biology while being just a short drive from home in Syracuse.
“Jake has had the size and physicality needed to play lacrosse for some time and has been polishing his skills to become a great lacrosse player,” said Aquilina.
“This lacrosse team is very close and doesn’t look for the personal accolades, rather they want to help each other and succeed together,” added Aquilina.
These signings mark the first time three student-athletes have signed letters of intent in one year during Aquilina’s time as head coach. Aquilina will enter his fourth year as coach this spring.
Provided photo
11/24/13
