By Matt Schickling
Wire Staff Writer
Abington Senior High School recognized three athletes from the class of 2015 who will be entering Division I athletic programs next year during a signing celebration on Nov. 14.
In the school’s auditorium, Deja Rawls, Hunter Jones and Frances Erney signed letters of intent for their respective colleges.
For each player, athletic director Todd Vaccaro presented video highlights from past seasons along with interviews with each of the players and their coaches. Teammates, classmates, coaches, friends and family were present to support the athletes.
Each player signed a letter of intent surrounded by their parents and coach.
Rawls, a girls basketball player, signed to Siena University in Albany, New York. Last season, the 5’7” senior passed the 1,000-point mark in her high school career, making her the 11th female basketball player at Abington to do so. She ended the season with 1,077 career points.
“She’s the ultimate student-athlete,” coach Dan Marsh said during the video interview. “She works hard on and off the court.”
Over her junior season, Rawls averaged 12.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.6 steals per game, leading her team to a 21–9 overall record. For her sophomore and junior years, Rawls was first team all-conference for the Suburban One League National Conference.
“I love the support that my family and friends give to me. I’m just happy I made them proud today,” Rawls said.
Her other considera
tions for college were Boston University, Northeastern and Hofstra, but decided on Siena University based on her comfort with the coach and general rapport with the program. If not an athlete, she hopes to become an accountant.
Boys lacrosse player Hunter Jones signed to Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. As an attacker, he’s totaled 200 points, with 103 goals and 97 assists, throughout his career at Abington.
Jones helped his team win back-to-back Suburban One League championships in 2013 and 2014. He was also recognized with first team all-league honors in both seasons, with an honorable mention all-league after his freshman season.
“It’s very exciting to see a leader such as Hunter move on to the next level,” coach Peter Burns said. “I couldn’t speak more highly of him.”
Jones chose Monmouth University based on location, campus and coaches, but also considered St. Joseph’s University and Rutgers. He, like Rawls, hopes to study accounting.
“It felt good to have all the support from everyone that came out,” Jones said. As for next season: “I’m hoping to win our league and make it to states.”
Frances Erney this fall committed to St. Bonaventure University in St. Bonaventure, New York to be a distance swimmer.
“As soon as I got there, I fell in love with the school,” she said.
She also considered Seton Hall University.
For Abington, she does the 500 freestyle, 200 freestyle and 100 backstroke, for which she competed in the District One championship as a junior.
“It felt really good to have everyone here,” she said.
In her upcoming season, Erney doesn’t have any specific goals, she just hopes to “get some good times.” But coach Joe Lennon thinks she can break some records.
“She is someone that wants to excel,” Lennon said. “She’s really had a fantastic career here thus far.”
