This month several Glen Cove High School college-bound student-athletes announced that they would be exhibiting their talents on the playing fields and courts of their respective higher education institutions.
Varsity football players Christian Klimaszewski and Anton Seaman, varsity baseball player Tommy Ziegen and varsity basketball player Franklyn Mickens will all be playing in college next year.
Christian will attend Western New England. A two-year varsity letterman, senior captain and leader of the defense, he led the county in interceptions with six, but statistics do not show the impact Chris had on the team’s defense, according to Coach Pete Kopecky. “The team won eight straight games this season, relying on a swarming defense led by Chris, who had a knack for making the big play,” said Coach Kopecky. Chris was also a three-sport starter this year, earning All-Conference status in three sports: football, wrestling and lacrosse. “Players like him are the backbone of high school athletic programs,” added his coach.
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Meanwhile, Christian’s teammate Anton will play at Division II Long Island University Post. This is an impressive feat considering he only played varsity football during his senior season. Also a three-sport athlete, Anton will play defensive line for the Post Pioneers this fall. “He took the athleticism he developed playing varsity basketball and baseball, combined it with his God given size and agility and earned a starting position with our team,” added Coach Koepcky. “Anton was an integral part of the Big Red defense and the team’s overall success.”
Last month, Big Red varsity football quarterback Will Kassar committed to playing for Sacred Heart University. Teammate Dane Caufield also intends to play college football at a school to be determined.
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Tommy announced he will play baseball at Old Westbury next spring. This season, he not only led the team in hitting, but accumulated the highest batting average in Big Red baseball history, hitting.541, amassing two doubles, three triples and 18 runs batted in. Tommy also scored 19 runs, had seven stolen bases and finished with an equally impressive .600 on base percentage. If that wasn’t enough, he even pitched for the team, finishing with a record of 2-3 and a quality 3.20 earned run average (per nine innings). “Tommy was a tremendous asset to our team,” said Coach Kevin Nolan. “To excel in the batter’s box, on the base paths and on the mound is extremely impressive. Hitting .300 is good; hitting over .500 is lights out!”
Franklyn will take his talents to the hoops at SUNY Purchase next winter. A three-year varsity basketball player, Franklyn led the team in scoring this season and served as co-captain of the first basketball team to win the Conference Championship in over 20 years at Glen Cove High School. “Frankie has always been a dedicated member to the basketball program,” said Coach Pete Falen. “His work ethic both on and off the court has been commended by both his teachers and coaches alike. He is a team-first student athlete and is well received by all of his peers.”
This brings the total number of college bound athletes in GCHS’s Class of 2013 to 12. Here is the entire list:
Baseball:
Tommy Ziegen, SUNY Old Westbury, Division III
Men’s Basketball:
Kewan Beebe, SUNY New Paltz, Division III
Franklyn Mickens, SUNY Purchase, Division III
Football:
Christian Klimaszewski, Western New England, Division III
Dane Caufield, Curry College, Division III
Will Kassar, Sacred Heart University, Division I
Anton Seaman, LIU Post, Division II
Softball:
Carina Zupa, Sacred Heart University, Division I
Briana Leon, SUNY Purchase, Division III
Kayla Morrissey, Queens College Division II
Women’s Lacrosse:
Gabby Morrocu, Kings College Women’s, Division III
Women’s Tennis:
Justine Sawyer, Arcadia University, Division III
