Ten Seniors Sign National Letters of Intent

On the first day of the National Letter of Intent (NLI) signing period, ten accomplished Agnes Irwin senior student-athletes were celebrated for signing an NLI to play their chosen sport at the Division I level in college next year.

This fall’s signers were:

• Reilly Brennan - Colgate University - Swimming
• Katherine Ernst - Vanderbilt University - Lacrosse
• Isabella Fusco - Towson University - Soccer
• Jackie Heinerichs - Drexel University - Lacrosse
• Colby Macaione - Georgetown University - Lacrosse
• Cate Parsells - Georgetown University - Lacrosse
• Chloe Saulnier - University of Southern California - Rowing
• Sydney Wilson - University of Florida - Lacrosse
• Carly Wilson - University of Florida - Lacrosse
• Marissa White - University of North Carolina - Lacrosse

“We are so proud of these ten young women who are signing NLIs to play their sport in college,” remarked Athletic Director Courtney Lubbe. “They are stellar students and phenomenal athletes, but most importantly, they embody the Agnes Irwin core values of respect, community, excellence and character in their athletic and academic endeavors. They are following in the footsteps of many Irwin’s girls before them and, at the same time, are setting an example for younger students in our community who look to them as role models.”

Reilly Brennan will swim at Colgate University. She is a six-time varsity swim team member who joined the AIS team as a seventh grader and immediately made an impact. Reilly has been named All Delco and All Main Line, and was also the recipient of the Agnes Irwin Swim Coaches Award. She currently holds the school record as part of the 200 medley relay and, as a junior, she was named both team captain and team MVP. In addition to her swimming accomplishments, Reilly has earned academic high honors in 9th, 10th and 11th grades. “Reilly has an incredible work ethic and an unwavering commitment to AIS,” said math teacher Trish Colclaser. “As her Algebra I honors, Pre-Calculus honors and Calculus I honors teacher, I witness the same diligence and motivation Reilly exhibits in the pool in her schoolwork.” 

Katherine Ernst will play lacrosse at Vanderbilt University. She is a three-sport varsity athlete and has earned All Delco and All Inter-Ac honors in lacrosse and All Main Line honors in both lacrosse and tennis while earning high honors in 9th, 10th and 11th grades. In addition to her success as a lacrosse player, Katherine is a four-year starter on the varsity tennis team and a team captain. She was presented the Agnes Irwin Athletics Carter Mannion Award for talent, leadership and enthusiasm. “Katherine’s impact on AIS goes well beyond the lacrosse field,” said math teacher Trish Colclaser. “Her energy and positivity are contagious. She is an incredible athlete, a supportive teammate, a fierce competitor, and a strong leader.” 

Isabella Fusco will play soccer at Towson University. She is a two-sport athlete at Agnes Irwin and was named team captain as a junior in both soccer and lacrosse. Belle was recognized for her leadership, talent and enthusiasm as the recipient of the Carter Mannion Award, and earned honors in 9th, 10th and 11th grades. Belle was named to the 2021 High School All American Watch List and the Philadelphia All-Metro Top 11 team, and has been named All Main Line. “Belle is a talented, mature and committed leader,” said AIS crew coach Mike Welsh.

Jackie Heinerichs will play lacrosse at Drexel University. Jackie joined Agnes Irwin as a senior after attending Haverford High School for 9th-11th grade, where she earned a 5.0 GPA in her roster of advanced placement courses. She is a three-sport varsity athlete, playing field hockey, basketball and lacrosse. Jackie has been named All PASLA, All Delco, All Main Line and All Central League and is part of the Under Armour All America team. “Having a player like Jackie on the field who can bring the intensity and still maintain a fun spirit is critical to the success of a team,” said coach Lauren Wray. 

Colby Macaione will play lacrosse at Georgetown University. She is a two-sport athlete at Agnes Irwin, playing varsity soccer and lacrosse. Colby earned honors in 10th and 11th grades, is an active participant in service council, and volunteers as a youth soccer referee. She earned All Main Line Honors as a shut down junior defender for the lacrosse team. “Colby is a poised, determined and steady defender. Her speed is remarkable. She never complains and always steps up to challenges,” said coach Lauren Wray. 

Cate Parsells will play lacrosse at Georgetown University. In 2021, she was recognized for her leadership and sportsmanship as the recipient of the Agnes Irwin Blue Belt award. Cate plays varsity soccer and lacrosse and is a USA Lacrosse National Team Development Program participant. She was named All Inter-Ac and is part of the Under Armour All America team. She earned honors in 9th, 10th and 11th grades. “Cate does all the little things that help make a team successful,” said coach Lauren Wray. “These are incredibly important little things that can be easily overlooked and sometimes underappreciated. Today, Cate is recognized for all her hard work and dedication.” 

Chloe Saulnier will row at the University of Southern California. Chloe has rowed for four years at Agnes Irwin while earning high honors during 9th and 10th grades and honors in 11th grade. In 9th grade, she was a member of the Agnes Irwin Freshman Quad that won the Stotesbury Cup Regatta and, in the same year, placed second at both City Championships and SRAA Nationals. She also placed second in the varsity single at the 2021 Head of the Schuylkill Regatta. “Chloe sets her sights on achieving bigger goals,” says AIS crew coach John Hayburn. “She has proven to be a mainstay of our team with her quiet confidence. She is constantly looking to improve.” 

Carly Wilson will play lacrosse at the University of Florida. She is a two-sport varsity athlete and was varsity soccer team captain in 2021. Carly was selected as US Lacrosse All American, Academic All American, and was named to the All Inter-Ac, All Delco, All Main Line and Phillylacrosse.com 1st teams. She is on the Under Armour Senior Watch List, and earned high honors in 10th and 11th grades. “Carly has a quiet intensity and fierceness,” said coach Lauren Wray. “She is one of the most mentally tough players I have ever coached. Her grit and determination are second to none.” 

Sydney Wilson will play lacrosse at the University of Florida. She is a two-sport varsity athlete in both soccer and lacrosse. In 2021, Sydney was named US Lacrosse All American, Academic All American, and was named to the All Inter-Ac, All Delco, All Main Line and Phillylacrosse.com 1st teams in addition to being selected for the 2021 Under Armour All Tournament Team. She is a varsity soccer team captain, and earned high honors in 10th and 11th grades. “When I think of Sydney,” said coach Lauren Wray, “one word comes to mind - competitor. Sydney is not afraid to compete and she is fiercely determined. She is a vocal leader who leads with hard work and dedication.” 

Marissa White will play lacrosse at the University of North Carolina. Ranked the national #2 recruit in the class of 2022 by InsideLacrosse, Marissa is a decorated midfielder and has earned recognition as All Main Line, All Delco, All Inter-Ac and was named the 2019 PASLA Rookie of the Year. She was selected for the Under Armour 2022 Watchlist and the US Lacrosse 2022 Watchlist. She earned honors in 9th, 10th and 11th grades and was named team captain as a junior in 2021. “Marissa has been a multi-sport varsity athlete here at Irwin’s since 9th grade,” said coach Lauren Wray. “Her love for lacrosse and desire to continuously improve is infectious. Anyone who knows Marissa knows she is always up for extra shooting, wall ball fitness, anything that will help her improve and move forward.”

These ten athletes are among 17 Agnes Irwin seniors who have already verbally committed to the admissions process and continuing their sports in college as of November 10, representing 22% of the senior class.
 

The students are:

• Lily Botta - Catholic University of America - Field Hockey
• Reilly Brennan - Colgate University - Swimming
• Katherine Ernst - Vanderbilt University - Lacrosse
• Ashby Evans - Miami University of Ohio - Field Hockey
• Isabella Fusco - Towson University - Soccer
• Devon Glaser - Dartmouth College - Squash
• Samantha Hark - Trinity College - Lacrosse
• Jackie Heinerichs - Drexel University - Lacrosse
• Alex Lesko - Trinity College - Lacrosse
• Colby Macaione - Georgetown University - Lacrosse
• Cate Parsells - Georgetown University - Lacrosse
• Chloe Saulnier - University of Southern California - Rowing
• Julia van der Zwan - Cornell University - Rowing
• Marissa White - University of North Carolina - Lacrosse
• Sydney Wilson - University of Florida - Lacrosse
• Carly Wilson - University of Florida - Lacrosse
• Quinn Wollard - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - Lacrosse