MORGANTOWN—Seven University High School seniors secured their plans for the future of their academic and athletic careers on Wednesday, the final signing day of the school year.
Zach Bozicevich (Point Park/Lacrosse), Nate Lindsay (Fairmont State/Swimming), Kevin Hernandez (Samel/Soccer), Carter Pauley (Fairmont State/Wrestling), Jackson Pate (Fairmont State/Wrestling), Rider Ludrosky (St. John Fisher/Wrestling), and Tyler Umbright (Pittsburgh/Running) put pen to paper inside the UHS auditorium, surrounded by family, friends, coaches, and teammates.
“This is a special day for us whenever we have the chance to do these signings,” UHS athletic director Jeff Bailey said. “With the seven student-athletes we have signing today for us, this brings our total to 22 for the school year, which is an outstanding number for any high school, in my opinion. That just speaks to the level of our athletic programs and the time and dedication everyone sacrifices, from players to coaches to parents and family.”
Three members of the two-time state champion UHS wrestling team were among the seven signees. Carter Pauley and Jackson Pate will make the short trip south to join the program at Fairmont State this fall.
Ludrosky, heading to St. John Fisher University in New York, suffered an injury midway through his senior season that sidelined him for the year. Still, he had the opportunity to continue wrestling at the next level and couldn’t let it pass.
“Coach Maisel got me in contact with the assistant coach there, and we’ve been talking since November,” Ludrosky said. “I took a visit and fell in love with the school and the campus. I also have some family that lives close by, which is a plus.”
Swimming state champion Nathaniel Lindsay is also headed to Fairmont State along with his classmates Pate and Pauley, and says he already has his eyes on some of the school records in the sprinting distances.
Zach Bozicevich will head an hour north to play lacrosse at Point Park University in Pittsburgh.
Kevin Hernandez, a defender and captain for the UHS boys soccer team, is headed to Clarksburg to play for Salem.
“I wasn’t even sure I was going to go to college at all,” Hernandez said. “Now to have the opportunity to get a degree and play the sport is a dream come true.”
Tyler Umbright will join the cross-country and track programs at the University of Pittsburgh. He is the second distance runner from UHS to join an ACC school in the last two years, as former state champion Drew Zundell is currently running for Syracuse.
“This opportunity to compete at the highest level of NCAA athletics means a lot,” Umbright said. “It says a lot about our coaching staff and program and how hard we work and push each other to be our best. I also take pride in representing UHS and the city of Morgantown on the biggest stage and in the races. I have talked to Drew a few times about some things and hope to run into him and hopefully even compete against him.”
