Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Cape Athletes Making It Official

The 2024 National Signing Day ceremony was held at Cape Henlopen on November 13. Cape proudly sent off 11 student-athletes as they signed their letters of intent that would bind them to their respective universities. The athletes were surrounded by the support of their coaches and loved ones as they celebrated taking the next step to competing at the collegiate level. These seniors were recognized for both their unshakeable dedication to their craft and diligence in the classroom.

Jake Hutchison and Ronan Presler proudly represented Cape’s Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team on Signing Day. Hutchison is making his collegiate debut next fall at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. as an agile defender.

“Being able to bond with a new group of guys will be cool. I’m looking forward to building new relationships and continuing to play a sport I love,” Hutchison explains.

College athletes are challenged with the task of balancing athletics, academics, and a memorable social experience during their time at university. “Don’t neglect the classroom,” Hutchison comments. “You have to remember that academics come first.”

Presler is an attack heading out west to continue his athletic and academic career at Tiffin University in Tiffin, Ohio. “The team, players, coaches, and the whole atmosphere really stood out,” Presler reflects. He has also shared an interest in criminology, with hopes of working for the FBI or CIA post-grad.  

Four of the seven female signees are playing collegiate lacrosse in a multiplicity of division rankings: Lina Frederick (Salisbury University, Maryland), Quinn Nutter (University of Tampa, Florida), Abigail Schaeffer (Stockton College, Galloway Township, N.J.), and Macy Steinwedel (Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia). Frederick, Schaeffer, and Steinwedel all helped contribute to Cape’s State Championship win during the 2023-2024 season last spring. 

Each player has four years of intense competition ahead in addition to the pressure that comes with representing a prestigious school. “Playing in college goes deeper than physical ability,” Nutter shares. “You have to be willing to work ten times harder than you ever have and be able to balance all of your expectations without losing your passion for the game.” 

Patrick Donahue and Jase Mitchell will both launch their careers as collegiate student-athletes during the 2025-2026 school year. Donahue began wrestling his freshman year and has been working his way up the ranks ever since. “To play a sport at the collegiate level, it takes a lot of hard work in your classroom and whatever sport you play.”

While Donahue will take it to the wrestling mat at Virginia Military Institute, Mitchell is leaving it all out on the ball field at the University of Kentucky. Mitchell, a catcher and passionate baseball player since age five hopes to play in the MLB after his time in Lexington. “They [Kentucky Baseball] play the game the right way,” Mitchell confidently projects. Eventually, the goal is to continue to work in the sport as a coach or scout after hanging up his cleats professionally.

“It's been a blessing to be at a school with as many assets as Cape,” says Mitchell as he expresses his gratitude. 

Three of Cape’s Lady Vikes are ecstatic to pursue the continuation of their softball careers after high school graduation. “The senior class for softball has been playing together since we were ten years old,” says utility player Brianna Windish. “This year will be really special.” Ava Calciano (University of Connecticut, Stoors, Connecticut), Alivia Heers (St. Joseph University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), and Brianna Windish (East Stroudsburg University, Monroe County, Pennsylvania) have all been teammates since they were hitting the ball off of the tee, completing their high school careers as a team.

Cape Henlopen High School athletes celebrate their college signings in November 2024.

Cape’s Athletic Director, Kevin Smith, knows just how much participating in a sport throughout college can mean to a student-athlete and the significance of Signing Day. “I had the ability to play in college and it’s something I will never forget. All of the hard work, travel, games, and practices, it all comes into fruition,” Smith credibly states. “It really is a special day for them.”