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10 Ranney Seniors Commit to Play Collegiate Sports

Ranney School celebrated 10 members of the Class of 2023 who have committed to continue their athletic careers in college. Eight Panthers have committed to continue their baseball careers in college: Enrique Beltra will play at New Jersey City University; Nick Coniglio will play at Northeastern University; AJ Gracia will play for Duke University; Marcello Mastroianni and Brett Wehringer will further their athletic careers as student-athletes at Georgetown; Jack Renaud will play at Queens University of Charlotte; Lou Spadafora will continue his career at Kean University; and Diego Tavarez will play at Wagner College. Sofia Moskowitz signed a letter of intent to join the equestrian team at Baylor University and Luke Zaslow will continue his rowing career at Cornell University. 
 
“We are incredibly proud of these ten student-athletes for all of their hard work over many years to make their dream of becoming a college athlete a reality,” said Ranney School Athletic Director Natalie Gorman. “To have this many students go on to play at the next level is amazing.  These achievements are a testament to their dedication, discipline, love for their sport, and the support of their family, friends, and coaches.  This is a special group of students and we look forward to the time we have left with them as Panthers.  When their time at Ranney is over, we know they will continue to be incredible ambassadors for their universities just as they were during their time as Panthers.”
 
Enrique Beltra ‘23 (baseball), New Jersey City University
“I am excited to continue my education and playing career at New Jersey City University,” said Beltra. “NJCU’s wonderful educational opportunities in the field of business, along with its proximity to New York City, made it very appealing to me. When I visited the campus I was impressed with the modern facilities yet historical character of the campus. I am excited that I will have the opportunity to continue my baseball career playing for Coach Smith's Gothic Knights team. I am thankful for my time at Ranney School; my teachers and coaches challenged me to push myself and to fight through adversity. They always wanted the best for me and I am immensely grateful for their support.”
 
“Enrique is the definition of persistent,” said Ranney head baseball coach Pat Geroni. “His character is second to none, his work ethic is one that could be used to model what it is supposed to look like from an effort standpoint at the high school level. He is a winner; he always has been.”
 
Nick Coniglio ’23 (baseball), Northeastern University
"When I visited Northeastern University, I loved the vibe of the campus,” said Coniglio. “It is right in the heart of the city.  The buildings help you feel the city atmosphere as you walk the streets. The academic aspect of the school is excellent. The baseball field is very aesthetically pleasing and the baseball program is filled with a bunch of welcoming people, especially the coaching staff. Coach Glavine, Coach Puccio, and Coach Cobb are very set on what they see this team accomplishing in the next couple of years and I am very excited to be part of this journey. They keep the team together as a family, and that is what I love most about the program."
 
“Watching Nick develop and grow into a dominant pitcher has been a privilege,” said Geroni. “We are looking forward to continuing to help his progression toward being a warrior at the next level and thank Northeastern baseball for their professionalism and attentiveness through this process.”
 
AJ Gracia ‘23 (baseball), Duke University
“On my first visit to Duke’s campus I immediately felt as if I had found my second home,” said Gracia. “I was welcomed by the coaching staff with open arms and got nothing but support and respect as soon as I met them. With that being said, the baseball program led by Coach Pollard is trending in the right direction. All the coaches (Coach Pollard, Coach Stein, Coach Jordan, Coach Gordon) have confidence in their players and make sure they are prepared for the challenging schedules they put together each year. On top of the athletic challenges, Duke offers one of the best educations in the country, and will better prepare me for life beyond college. Although I am not at Duke’s campus yet I feel as though I am already a part of the baseball family they have constructed there. I couldn’t be happier to be a Blue Devil.”
 
“AJ Gracia is a generational talent that you do not see more than once, if you’re lucky as a baseball coach,” said Geroni.  “He is the perfect storm of ability, moral belief, work ethic, focus and his support system is unbelievably strong while refreshing. AJ understands humbleness, respect, class and character which is a true representation of his parents and entire family.”
 
Marcello Mastroianni ‘23 (baseball), Georgetown University
“I am very grateful to have earned the opportunity to continue my academic and athletic careers at Georgetown University,” said Mastroianni. “I am extremely excited for those next four years that I will spend in the classroom, on the field, and in the beautiful city of Washington D.C. I couldn’t have done it without the support from all my coaches, teammates, friends, family, and especially the Ranney community and educators. I am really looking forward to my time at Georgetown!”
 
“Marcello is truly a unique talent and a special young man,” said Geroni. “His ability to process, adjust and execute are characteristics that will carry over well to the NCAA level. Georgetown is a great match for his academic ability and athletic talent. He is going to do amazing things on and off the field as a Hoya.”
 
Sofia Moskowitz ‘23 (equestrian), Baylor University
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Baylor University’s D1 Equestrian Team,” said Moskowitz. “Baylor not only has amazing athletic programs but academics as well, and I am so excited to spend my next four years there!”
 
“Sofia has been a part of our team since the Spring of 2021 and has already come so far in her year and a half with us,” said Stacia Madden, head trainer at Beacon Hill Show Stables, where Sofia trains and competes. “We are proud to say she has won multiple classes and championships at nationally-rated competitions this year.  Our team cannot wait to see where her success will take her as she continues her journey on the Baylor Equestrian team!”
 
Jack Renaud ‘23 (baseball), Queens University of Charlotte
“The biggest thing for me when choosing a school is culture,” said Renaud. “At Ranney, everyone is striving to be the best at whatever they do, and also always try to make others around the best they can be. The culture was exactly the same when I visited Queens, the strive for the best was all around me.”
 
“Jack is a super talented, intelligent and fiery competitor,” said Geroni. “He makes every team he’s around better not just on the field, but in the clubhouse and beyond. His energy and ability to bond with teammates separates him from the rest and we expect him to do the same at Queens.”
 
 
 
Lou Spadafora ‘23 (baseball), Kean University
“I am blessed to earn the opportunity to continue my academic and athletic careers at Kean University,” said Spadafora. “When I was deciding on a school, I was looking for a family type of atmosphere; similar to Ranney. Kean University will allow me to succeed in all facets on and off the field. I would like to thank my family, friends, teachers, coaches, and the community at Ranney for helping me strive to be successful. I can’t wait to step on campus in 2023!”
 
“Lou is hands down one of the top 5 all around catchers in NJ at his grad class,” said Geroni. “He excels on every part of the game and eats, sleeps and breathes baseball. He has a real shot to do damage the second he gets to Kean; they are going to be very happy with him as a contributor.”
 
Diego Tavarez ‘23 (baseball), Wagner College
“I am very excited to be extending my athletic and academic career at Wagner College,” said Diego. “When I touched the campus at Wagner I loved it at first sight with all the amazing views especially the view that overlooks New York City. All the people were very polite when I went on my visit and the coaches were very nice and seemed to give equal opportunity to all players no matter the grade. My time at Ranney really transformed me as a student-athlete, it challenged my skill of organization and made me learn how to manage my time very well, especially during baseball season.”  
 
“Diego is one of the best all-around baseball players and people I’ve had the pleasure of coaching,” said Geroni. “His attention to detail, team first mentality and understanding of the game are separation factors for him. D’s positive energy spreads through a clubhouse and Wagner is lucky to have him.”
 
Brett Wehringer’23 (baseball), Georgetown University 
“Georgetown University has so much to offer academically and athletically to develop profound student-athletes,” said Wehringer. “The gorgeous campus is filled with motivated students with goals in the classroom and far beyond as well. Located in Washington, D.C, Georgetown has a warm campus feel inside one of the greatest cities in the world, leaving students with limitless opportunities. As soon as I visited campus and learned about what Georgetown was all about, I knew that it was the perfect place for me. Many of the routines and philosophies both in the classroom and on the field correlate from Ranney to Georgetown, which makes me excited to continue to grow as a student-athlete. I am proud to continue to fulfill my potential as a learner, athlete, and person at such a wonderful institution. The program is headed in a great direction and I could not be more excited to join the squad and make an impact when stepping on campus in the fall of 2023.”
 
“We couldn’t be prouder of Brett’s progression on the field and in the classroom,” said Geroni. “He is one of the most self-sufficient, motivated young men our staff has ever met and he has an incredibly bright future. His attention to detail, ability to process and maturity are far beyond his years. Georgetown is going to love having him anchor their middle infield for years to come.”
 
Luke Zaslow ‘23 (rowing), Cornell University 
"It has always been my dream to row for a college with the highest level of academics and athletes,” said Zaslow. “I knew from the second I stepped on Cornell’s campus and met the coaches and team that Cornell was where I belonged. Cornell has an unparalleled tradition in rowing, and seeing the team’s unique camaraderie and work ethic confirmed that Cornell will best allow me to achieve my goals on the water and in the classroom."
 
“It’s been awesome to have Luke at Mercer this fall,” said James Hamp, Varsity Boys’ Head Coach at Mercer Junior Rowing Club. “He’s a great teammate and role model for the younger kids, leading by example and helping raise the bar for the whole team. Cornell is lucky to have him next year!”
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777

Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society.