5 Harrison Standouts Sign with Division I Schools (VIDEO)

Five Harrison athletes finishing standout careers at the varsity level have been rewarded with the opportunity to play at the next level, signing commitments to join Division I teams this fall.

Harrison seniors Matthew Carducci, Michael DiTursi, Ben Konigsberg, James Nangle and Nina Sarmiento each signed ceremonial letters of intent at Harrison High School Wednesday. They will leave Harrison after graduation to play at schools in New York, Pennsylvania and Florida.

"We are extremely proud of these kids," said Harrison Principal James Ruck. "I guarantee you they will be very successful not only in the skill that they've learned here, but they will learn more of it in college and it will be transferable to the future—so we expect these young people to be very successful."

Two track and field standouts and two swimmers were among those who signed letters Wednesday. Konigsberg, who led a record-setting track team during his varsity seasons, will run next year at Lehigh.

"He is the most competitive athlete I have ever coached in any sport," said track and field coach Dominic Zanot before wishing his player good luck.

Sarmiento will continue her career on the track at SUNY Binghamton. A member of the varsity team since 8th grade, Sarmiento was ranked first in the 400-meter hurdles as a 10th grader and competed in the New York State finals three times.

"She's one of the most fearless athletes male or female I've ever coached," said track coach Kate Zanot.

Nangle will swim at Bucknell University next year and Carducci will swim at Lehigh University. Nangle was an All-League qualifier for three years and an All-Section and All-State qualifier for two. Carducci was a team leader in each of his years on the varsity squad, said coach Phil Dearstyne.

Golfer Michael DiTursi will move on to Rollins College in Winter Park Florida next year. DiTursi has been a varsity golfer since eight grade.

All of Harrison's Division I athletes were also recognized as scholar athletes earlier this year.