The Alternative Press

WEST CALDWELL, NJ -  Six students from James Caldwell High School, seniors Rachel Curtiss, John Gallagher, Ijeoma Ikpe, Charlie McPeters, Bill Pierce and Joe Vogt, have signed letters of intent to compete in athletics in college.

The students will be attending the following schools:

• Rachel Curtiss
  Softball
  Ave Maria University, FL
   
• John Gallagher
  Division I Football
  Elon University, NC
   
• Ijeoma Ikpe
  Lacrosse
  Old Dominion University, VA
   
• Charlie McPeters
  Division I Lacrosse
  University of Michigan
   
• Bill Pierce
  Football
  Stone Hill College, MA
   
• Joe Vogt
  Division I Lacrosse
  Furman University, SC

James Caldwell released this statement on Thursday:

     James Caldwell High School (JCHS) seniors Rachael Curtiss, John Gallagher, Ijeoma Ikpe, Charlie McPeters, Bill Pierce, and Joe Vogt have signed letters of intent to play collegiate athletics.

Curtiss, an outfielder and catcher for both JCHS and the Parsippany Thunder, signed with Ave Maria University, FL., to play softball. During the spring 2012 season, with a batting average of .295, Curtiss scored 16 runs, had three doubles and two home runs, had 21 hits, 20 RBIs (runs batted in), and three stolen bases. Curtiss also played basketball for the JCHS Chiefs.

Pictured left to right are Director of Athletics Rich Porfido, parents Al and Lynn
Curtiss, principal Dr. Kevin Barnes and head coach Mike Teshkoyan. Seated is
Rachel Curtiss.  Credit: Christine Corliss


Gallagher, a tight end and defensive end known for his kicking, will travel to North Carolina to play Division I football for Elon University. In addition to Elon, Gallagher had scholarship offers from Maine, Lehigh, Holy Cross and Marist. In 2012, Gallagher had 30 touch backs, and knocked down six field goals, including four that were more than 35 yards and a school record of 47 yards.

Gallagher: Pictured are Director of Athletics Rich Porfido, head coach Ken Trimmer, assistant coach Tom Lamont, principal Dr. Kevin Barnes, assistant coach Al Curtiss,
and parents Cindy and Hugh Gallagher. Seated is John Gallagher.
Credit: Christine Corliss


Ikpe will head to Old Dominion University, VA, to play womens’ lacrosse for the Monarchs. The senior, who also played soccer, volleyball and basketball for the Chiefs, made 26 goals, had 17 assists and 56 ground balls during the spring 2012 lacrosse season.

Pictured left to right are Director of Athletics Rich Porfido, mother Stacia Ikpe,
principal Dr. Kevin Barnes, and head coach Angela Giampino-Vasi. Seated is Ijeoma
Ikpe.  Credit: Christine Corliss


McPeters will head to the University of Michigan next fall to play lacrosse for the Division I Wolverines. McPeters, a varsity defenseman and long stick middle for the Chiefs plays club for Trilogy North Jersey, and attended the Brine National Lacrosse Classic, earning All-Star honors.

Pictured left to right are Director of Athletics Rich Porfido, head coach John Timan, mother Dorothy Abramitis and principal Dr. Kevin Barnes. Seated is Charlie
McPeters. Credit: Christine Corliss


Pierce, who plays football, lacrosse and wrestles for the Chiefs, will head to Stone Hill College in Easton, M.A., next fall to play football for the Skyhawks. Pierce, a defensive end, was named to the third team for All-Group 2 defense, and was on the SEC All Conference First Team for 2011 and 2012.

Pictured are Director of Athletics Rich Porfido, head coach Ken Trimmer, parents
Margie and Jim Pierce, assistant coach Tom Lamont, principal Dr. Kevin Barnes, and brother Charlie Pierce. Seated is Bill Pierce. Credit: Christine Corliss


Goal keeper Vogt will head to South Carolina to play lacrosse for Division I Furman University. Vogt, who also ran cross country for the Chiefs, has 280 saves, allowed 116 goals, and has 15 wins and five losses going in to the spring 2013 season.
Pictured left to right are Director of Athletics Rich Porfido, parents Donna and Pete
Vogt, grandparents Dott and Joe DeLiberto, principal Dr. Kevin Barnes, and head
coach John Timan. Seated is Joe Vogt. Credit: Christine Corliss


For further information:
James Caldwell High School
265 Westville Avenue
West Caldwell, NJ
973-228-6981
Website
Chief Athletics Website


Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education
Harrison School Building
104 Gray Street
West Caldwell, NJ 07006
973-228-6979
Website