Seniors Commit to Continuing Athletic Careers at Collegiate Level

The Office of Athletics, along with family, faculty, teammates, coaches and friends, recently celebrated nine seniors who committed to continuing their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level next year.

Caden Bradford will be attending and playing football for Randolph-Macon College. Varsity Football Coach Mike Biehl talked about Caden's journey as a student-athlete, which started on NSA's basketball court before he ended up on the football field. "The aggression, the physicality, everything that comes with football, Caden encompasses," said Coach Biehl. "And as good of a football player as he is, he's an even better person. I can't wait to see what the future holds."

Kyra Bradford will be attending and playing volleyball at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Varsity Volleyball Coach Karen Rose said while Kyra's athletic talents will be missed on the court, it was the energy she brought to every match that truly set her apart from her teammates and her competitors. "Kyra has the power to change the course of a set by one kill," said Coach Rose. "She'll face her teammates, they'll all come in, and she just gives two big stomps, and she'll give a big 'Let's go!' And I'm telling you, we could be down five points. After a hit like that, she brings us right back into the game, right where we need to be. We went 20-0 this past season, so Kyra had a lot of those moments that helped bring us back into some of those close matches, and brought us out on top."

Napoleon Ellison II will be attending and playing football at Elizabeth City State University. Coach Biehl knows Napoleon will shine at the collegiate level not just because of his talent, but also his persistence. "Quarterback is the toughest position to play in all of sports," said Coach Biehl. "Now, I'm biased, because I played it, but I'm also biased because I know how tough it is to play for me at times, and Napoleon did a great job. He has an unwavering confidence in himself and his game that's going to carry him into a bright future."

Matthew Elswick will be attending and playing baseball at Randolph-Macon College. Varsity Baseball Coach Joey Seal reflected on Matthew's journey from NSA's JV Baseball Team to now preparing to play at the collegiate level. "Matt has just taken off to a level that is really remarkable," said Coach Seal. "To see where he was when he first got here to where he is now, that's a true testament to his work ethic, to the confidence he has developed in himself, and I think his teammates have always had that confidence in him."

Cooper Goss will be attending and playing lacrosse at Hampden-Sydney College. Athletic Director and Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse Coach T.W. Johnson '92 said Cooper has continued to build on his natural talent over the years, and his future is bright. "I know Hampden-Sydney is extremely excited to be getting a really good student and a really talented player that's had a great high school career, but I feel very comfortable in saying that Cooper's best lacrosse is definitely in front of him," said Coach Johnson. "I'm excited to see what he does over the next four years as he continues to develop as a player and a person. It's certainly been my honor to coach him and to have him here at NSA."

Morgan Jenkins will be attending and swimming at the University of Lynchburg. Varsity Swim Coach Allison Bolton said she's thrilled to see what lies ahead for Morgan's swimming career. "I know after coaching her for five years that swimming is a major, major passion for her," said Coach Bolton. "I know Morgan will be successful in whatever races she chooses to do and I hope her next coach or coaches have as much fun coaching her as I did."

Hayden Jones will be attending and playing baseball at Methodist University. Coach Seal met Hayden in seventh grade, when he taught him World Geography. While a lot has changed in the years since, Coach Seal said one thing remains the same. "One thing that I saw in seventh grade that I continued to see as time went on was Hayden's work ethic," said Coach Seal. "There was not ever going to be somebody that Hayden would allow to work harder than he would. And for that reason, he gets a chance now to achieve his dream of playing college baseball at Methodist University. They're not only getting a tremendous baseball player, but they're getting an awesome young man."

Kayla Kosiorek will be a member of the MPAM Graduate Pathway Program and will play tennis at the University of Lynchburg. Girls' Varsity Tennis Coach Sheryl Raulston highlighted Kayla's many achievements on and off the court. "Kayla played number 1 singles and doubles the majority of the time she was on our team," said Coach Raulston. "She's been all-state a number of times, all-conference, all-everything. If there are awards up there, she's won them. She's been a pleasure to coach. Now she gets to play at the collegiate level, where she can pursue her dream of being a PA. She even received direct admission to the MPAM Graduate Pathway Program at Lynchburg, which is extremely impressive. I am so excited to watch her play at this next level and create so many amazing memories."

Carson Wetmore will be attending and playing baseball at Ferrum College. Coach Seal called Carson a generational human being. "There has not been another person that I have come in contact in my 16, 17 years of coaching that has had the work ethic that Carson has had, that has truly embodied a team first mentality," said Coach Seal. "It doesn't matter if you ask Carson to go throw a bullpen, to start against the best team in the state or to take the sandbags off the tarp. Before you even have a chance to ask him to do those things, he's already done them and is doing something else to help the team, himself or anybody around him. That selfless mentality has also translated into him becoming one heck of a left-handed pitcher. Ferrum College is extremely lucky, because they're getting an incredible steal in Carson, not just as a baseball player, but as a human being."

Congratulations, Caden, Kyra, Napoleon, Matthew, Cooper, Morgan, Hayden, Kayla and Carson! We wish you the best of luck next year! Your NSA family will be cheering you on!

The Class of 2024 has 12 seniors who will be continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

Isaiah Fuhrmann, Elon University, football

Jackson Runyon, Virginia Tech, baseball

Nico Yates, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, lacrosse