Eight Golden Hawks Commit to D-1, D-3 Competition

For the first time in several years, River Dell High School celebrated as eight student-athletes committed to either a Division 1 or Division 3 school during Wednesday mornings Signing Day ceremony. 

The eight Golden Hawks include football stars Tim Barnes (Georgetown) and Kevin Barry (Sacred Heart), who both had to sit out a majority of their senior seasons with injuries.

"It feels great," Barnes said. "I feel that I fit their scheme the best and I love the coaching staff. They were the only team who stayed with me after I broke my leg."

Prior to his injury, Barnes, a quarterback, was also fielding offers from Lafayette, Holy Cross and other Patriot division schools. Barry's pre-season knee injury also resulted in a recruiting delay.

"I didn't know about Sacred Heart until the end of the season," Barry said. "They didn't care about my knee and after taking the year off I can't wait to get back onto the field. I'll be on special teams my freshman year and a back-up to the starting linebacker."

Rounding out the Division-1 recruits are Scott Kim (Siena College, golf), Anthony Sare (Loyola College, soccer) and Frankie Maier (Seton Hall, soccer).

"My visit cemented my decision," Sare said. "I really liked the teammates, the atmosphere. I got to see a game and they have an amazing athletic facility. I had a great time and it's a good fit academically."

Emily Wong (Montclair, lacrosse), Mary Maccabee (Tufts, volleyball) and Paige Fernandez (Middlebury, track) will all compete on the Division-3 level next fall.

"It feels really good to be done with the process," Maccabee said. "I love the education Tufts will give me, the campus, coach and team. I feel I made the right choice."

According to River Dell Athletic Director Denis Nelson, the school will hold another ceremony in the spring for several more student athletes that will compete in college athletics as freshmen.

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