Four students at West Hartford’s Conard High School signed national letters of intent Wednesday afternoon.

By Ronni Newton

Families and coaches, and fellow student-athletes, gathered at Conard High School Wednesday afternoon on the first day of the NCAA’s early signing period, as four seniors signed national letters of intent to participate in sports at the collegiate level.

Twin brothers Callum and Gavin Sherry both signed letters making official their commitment to attend Stanford University, where they plan to run cross country as well as track at the Division I level.

Nick Kane, a pitcher for Conard’s baseball team, will continue his sport at Division I Sacred Heart University in Bridgeport, while Sophia Lynch, a four-year three-sport athlete at Conard (swimming, basketball, lacrosse) committed to play lacrosse at Division II St. Michael’s College in Colchester, VT.

“This is always one of my favorite days of the year,” Athletic Director Jason Siegal said. “It’s a great opportunity to recognize some of our finest student athletes in the building, in the district, in the state, and it’s just a wonderful opportunity to say congratulations.”

“You don’t know how proud you make our Conard community,” girls lacrosse coach Meg Cersosimo said to the four students.

Lynch’s commitment to three sports for all four years, and her domination in all three sports, “speaks volumes about the type of athlete you are,” Cersosimo said. “You are a pleasure to coach. You’re driven, smart, you’re a great teammate … I can’t wait to watch you on the court this winter and I can’t wait to watch what you do in lacrosse on the field this spring.”

Cross country and track coach Ron Knapp said he has had the “privilege and honor, and excitement of watching two of Connecticut’s finest over the last two years … compete for Conard.”

Gavin Sherry made his mark as a freshman, and captured championships as a sophomore. Callum rose last year to produce some of the fastest times – during a season that didn’t have championships – in cross country and track. “They both excelled in outdoor track and field last year, going to nationals.”

Both are captains of the cross country team, and both will also captain indoor and outdoor track and field teams this year, Knapp said. “They have excelled beyond my dreams,” he said.

Both will compete this weekend in the New England Championships, and a regional meet after Thanksgiving, and hope to qualify for the national meet. “I could not be more proud of the efforts that they put in on the field as well as academically,” said Knapp. “They are the ultimate role models that I look for.”

Conard Principal Julio Duarte told Kane that his youngest son is very excited to watch him pitch.

“For all of you … for me it’s great to be the principal but also more exciting for me to be able to bring my own child to watch the different events, watch lacrosse, watch you guys run, watch all the different sports because they just look up to you all. … For me to have role models for my own children, that is exactly what you represent, what’s best for our school, students who work hard in the classroom but also outside the classroom,” Duarte said.

It’s been a challenging year or two for everyone, but continuing the focus speaks volumes, Duarte said.

Siegal said the parents also need to be celebrated for their commitment to their children.

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