Where are Section III athletes going to college? (Winter 2026 edition)

Syracuse, N.Y. — A new wave of Section III student-athletes has finalized its next steps, committing to compete at colleges stretching from Orlando to Orono. The winter signing period delivered 31 commitments across 11 sports, with lacrosse leading the way and distance-running programs again mining Central New York for talent.

Cross country and track & field produced the largest single-sport cluster, placing nine athletes. Kyleen Brady headlines the group, taking her sub-five-minute mile credentials to Boston College, while Kamryn Barton will join the ACC footprint at Virginia Tech. Owen Gasper (Binghamton), Ryan Maher (UMass), Yolanda Wei (SUNY Geneseo), Kadence Williams (Quinnipiac) and Charles Raymond (Merrimack) round out the harriers headed to Northeast campuses.

Lacrosse dominated the map with 12 signees, including a pair of University of North Carolina-bound attackers in Elizabeth Smith and Cece Powell. Mattingly Dorchester (Mercyhurst), Hayden Bubble (Florida Tech), Anthony Guidone (St. Bonaventure), Isabelle Akley (Indianapolis), Lilia Hertweck (Roberts Wesleyan), Charlee O’Connor (Alfred State), Christopher Doshna (Maryland), Natalia Viola (Austin Peay) and Alaina Munson (RIT) will also carry Section III sticks to the next level.

Swimming and diving added three collegiate newcomers, with Nora Barnello and Kayla McQuaid heading to Nazareth and Maine, respectively, while Molly Murphy will stay in-state at Siena. Baseball sent four athletes south and west: Jaden Zimmer (Mount St. Mary’s), Sean Rogoff (American International), Anthony Ricciardiello (RIT) and Case Allen (Tompkins Cortland CC).

Other multi-sport athletes include Natalie Hollingshead, who will trade Section III hardwood for Susquehanna basketball; Abigail Roth, doubling in field hockey and crew at Nazareth; Kiersten Keating, bringing her soccer skill set to St. John Fisher; and Aaliyah Anderson, who will patrol the Morgan State volleyball back row.

Kevin L. Smith has covered high school sports for Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard since 2021.