New Rochelle High Honors 21 Seniors Committing To College Sports

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Local standout athletes are about to move to the national stage in a big way.

New Rochelle High School honored 21 graduating seniors on May 1 who have committed to play sports at Division I, II or III colleges and universities. The students gathered in the NRHS gymnasium wearing school gear to sign commitment letters, take photos with family, teammates and coaches, and celebrate the milestone.

The group included athletes from swimming, cheerleading, rowing, track and field, tennis, soccer, basketball, rugby, baseball, football and volleyball. Many of those seniors leave New Rochelle with standout accomplishments already on their resumes.

Graduating senior Stella Ziogas is receiving a full scholarship to Siena University in Loudonville. The district said Ziogas scored 1,000 points in her New Rochelle basketball career and was named a McDonald's All-American nominee.

Alexander Suhanitski, who won the New York State 2025 Singles Tennis Championship, is receiving a partial scholarship to the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

Samuel Cave set a new NRHS record in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 21.12 seconds and was awarded a partial scholarship to swim at American University in Washington, D.C.

The district also highlighted Geronimo "Jero" Velasquez as the first soccer player in New Rochelle history to win Section 1 Player of the Year and only the third in school history to be named an All-American.

Sophia Ochoa was ranked third all-time in Westchester County track and field with a jump of 39 feet, two inches.

"Our coaches and teachers could not be prouder of our graduating student-athletes. They have worked hard in the classroom and on the field to excel," City School District of New Rochelle Athletic Director Joe Donaldson said. "We wish them continued success as they take the next step in their athletic and academic careers, and we look forward to watching them flourish."

"We have always emphasized the 'student' in student-athlete," NRHS Principal Dagoberto Artiles said. "These young men and women have incredible athletic talent, but also leave us with the knowledge and skills that will help them succeed along their journey and reach their fullest potential."

Among the Division I commitments were Brown University, Hofstra University, Iona University, Quinnipiac University, Siena University, American University and the University of Notre Dame. Other seniors committed to Division II and Division III programs including Saint Thomas Aquinas College, Monroe University, SUNY Cortland, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Plattsburgh, Misericordia University, and John Jay College of Criminal Justice.