Section III Athletes Heading to College: Winter 2026 Commitments

Central New York is witnessing another impressive group of student-athletes advancing to collegiate competition. Section III schools have produced a remarkable roster of commits who are signing with colleges and universities throughout the United States, showcasing the region's athletic excellence.

The Syracuse area and surrounding communities maintain their reputation as a breeding ground for exceptional talent. From lacrosse to track and field to swimming, these dedicated athletes have secured positions at various collegiate programs. The commitments span from prestigious Division I institutions to perfectly matched smaller schools where these young stars will flourish.

Lacrosse Players Lead the Way

Chittenango High School stands out as a lacrosse powerhouse with multiple athletes heading to top-tier programs. The Bears are sending talent to prestigious universities including the University of North Carolina, Quinnipiac, and Binghamton. Elizabeth Smith's signing with UNC deserves special recognition, as the Tar Heels operate one of the most elite women's lacrosse programs nationally.

Among the Chittenango commits, Connor Bradbury, Emery McCartney, and Allison Mainville are all bound for highly competitive programs. College lacrosse fans should monitor these Section III athletes closely, as they're poised to make significant impacts in their respective conferences.

New Hartford High School has also developed impressive lacrosse talent, with athletes committing to Quinnipiac, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Marist College. Kaelyn Stone's decision to attend Marist places her in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, a fiercely competitive women's lacrosse division.

Distance Runners and Versatile Athletes Excel

Altmar-Parish-Williamstown demonstrated remarkable athletic breadth across numerous sports. Ryan Maher will bring his distance running abilities to UMass, a Division I program competing in the Atlantic 10 Conference. This represents a significant accomplishment for any Central New York cross-country athlete.

Kamryn Barton's commitment to Virginia Tech marks another major Division I signing. The Hokies compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference, widely regarded as one of college athletics' most challenging leagues. Kadence Williams selected Quinnipiac for cross country and track, highlighting the Bobcats' ascending reputation in distance events.

Multiple athletes will compete in two sports at the collegiate level. Abigail Roth plans to participate in both field hockey and crew at Nazareth University. Such versatility at the college level is uncommon and demonstrates extraordinary athletic capabilities.

For those who follow collegiate athletics closely, tracking these athletes provides valuable insights into emerging programs. When universities recruit multiple talented athletes from the same geographic area, it typically indicates positive program development and momentum worth noting.