Deer Park High Celebrates 5 College-Bound Athletes

DEER PARK, NY —Five student-athletes from Deer Park High School are set to continue their sports careers at the collegiate level in the fall after a commitment ceremony on June 5.

The recognition ceremony was hosted by District Administrator for Athletics, Physical Education, Health and Recreation Dominick Fontana in the school’s chorus room.

Karen Garcia will play soccer at Queens College. She earned All-Division and All-League honors during her high school career in 2021, 2022 and 2023. She plans to major in biochemistry.

Vincent LaCascia will play baseball at Bridgeport University. He earned All-League honors in 2023, won the team’s MVP in 2023 and a Coaches Award in 2022. He plans to major in physical therapy.

Hayden Lovinsky will play football at SUNY Cortland. A three-sport athlete, he served as captain of Deer Park’s football team and played for the varsity basketball and lacrosse teams. His high school career accolades include First Team All-State, First Team All-Long Island, All-County and First Team All-Division. In 2023, he won the Tom Cassese Award as the best defensive back in Suffolk County and was National Football Foundation Award finalist for the best wide receiver in Suffolk. He was also a Best Defensive Player Award finalist, Suffolk County Student-Athlete of
the Year nominee and team MVP. Lovinsky plans to major in criminology.

Tyler Romero will join the swimming and diving team at Adelphi University. During his time at Deer Park, he earned numerous accolades including All-County, All-League, All-Long Island, Suffolk County Diver of the Year, Long Island Championship third place, league first place, Suffolk County first place and team MVP. Romero plans to major in physics.

Brian Ugalde will play baseball at SUNY Cortland. He earned All-League and Scholar-Athlete recognition during his high school career. Ugalde plans to major in physical education.