Seven Seahawks signal they’re ready to leave nest

During a signing ceremony May 20, seven Sussex Academy senior student-athletes committed to playing their chosen sport at the collegiate level. One even signed up for two sports.

Tayler Flaherty - A goal-scoring, playmaking machine during her time on the pitch at Sussex Academy, Flaherty will play soccer for Alvernia University in Reading, Pa., after her record-setting high school career.

Samira Zahraoui - The type of leader who will do anything for her teammates and isn’t afraid to show them the hard work required to succeed, Zahraoui will take her family approach to Goldey-Beacom’s soccer team in Pike Creek.

Max Rial - After rocketing up the shot-put scoring his junior year, Rial was the top-ranked shot-putter in Division II; he ended up taking second at the state championships. Rial will take his strengths to Salisbury University in Maryland.

Justin Friscia - Crazy good or just crazy? Friscia, who was part of a state championship 4-by-800 relay in 2023, will be running cross country in the fall while hitting the track in the spring for Salisbury University in Maryland.

Danica Duncan - Sussex Academy’s all-time leader in kills, Duncan will head to Shenandoah University in Winchester, Va., to play volleyball. Don’t let that smile fool you; when this girl hits, she hits with intention and has the ups to disrupt a block.

Carmen Merrick - The second Sussex Academy volleyball player to sign up to play the sport in college, Merrick will take her hops to Bard College in Annadale-on-Hudson, N.Y. Merrick exits as the school’s all-time leader in blocks.

Brayden Trout - A kid who has done nothing but improve every year, Trout owns the school record for the individual butterfly and will float into Messiah University’s pools in Mechanicsburg, Pa., when the college swimming season starts.