Patalano picks Roberts

Churchville-Chili senior Joanna Patalano announced at a press conference in the high school library February 3, that she would attend Roberts Wesleyan College this fall to play soccer and basketball.

The Monroe County Player of the Year in soccer this past fall, Patalano tore knee ligaments in a basketball game in November and has missed the rest of her senior season." It will be close for this fall, but my rehab is going well, so that's my goal," she said.

"I like the school academically and the coaches athletically and it's nice to stay home so my parents can see me play again." Patalano carries a 96 high school average and intends to major in elementary education/special education while in school. "I also was considering St. Bonaventure, William Smith, Cortland and Brockport, but I wanted to stay local. Playing Division I was always my dream, but realistically, I'm too short."

Her basketball coach at Churchville-Chili, Ryan Raftery, talked about her decision. "Roberts is moving in the right direction and this is a plus for them in getting not only a great player, but a winner. "The only difficult part for her may be with the success the Roberts soccer team has had lately; their season extends into the start of basketball. With her rehab, she already has 90 percent extension."

Joanna's mother, Donna Patalano, was also happy with the decision. "She could have gone to a few schools, but I'm glad she chose this way. Now we get to see our daughter all the time - or as much as she wants to see us."