The Class of 2021 will be remembered in the history of New Castle High School as one full of successful student-athletes.
Across their four years of competition, these exceptional athletes have won personal accolades and many championships. Now, these select athletes will be contuining their academic and athletic career in college.
Senior Faith Firle excelled in golf, and qualified for regionals in her last season of high school competition. She committed to Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. Anderson is a private NCAA Division II school. Her passion for the medical field played a big part in choosing AU. “I chose Anderson because they are the top nursing school in Indiana and when the coach recruited me, it was just the icing on the cake,” Firle said.
Another senior who is going to a small school is Eliza Madden, who earned a scholarship from the University of Saint Francis for volleyball. Madden was part of the volleyball powerhouse that lead the Trojans to the state championship three consecutive times. USF is a small college, home to around 2,500 students. This was critical for Madden’s choice. “I knew I wanted a smaller school within a two hour radius of home so that my family and friends could easily come watch and visit,” Madden said.
Madden is looking forward to what her college experience brings. She will also continue participating in choir, one of her passions. “Obviously one benefit of my scholarship is the financial aspect, but more importantly I get to continue playing a sport I love at a school with one of the best nursing programs in the state,” Madden said.
Another volleyball player who has committed to playing in college is Laila Smith. Smith was originally a standout player on the basketball team, but took the volleyball world by storm with her height and work ethic. Smith will be attending the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. “The heart that is in the school academically and athletically is like no other,” Smith said.
Smith is one of three volleyball players who will be playing in NCAA Division I next year. Smith also credited the environment of the program as a key decision to commit to play for the Crimson Tide. “The coaching staff and the players made my decision so much easier and I can’t wait to be apart of the program,” Smith said.
The second volleyball player to commit to Division I volleyball is Bailey Cox. The energetic libero will play volleyball at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. Like Smith, Cox’s decision to choose Georgia was based on the mentality of the program. “My coaches and teammates were a big part of my decision. My teammates and I instantly clicked,” Cox said.
Cox and Smith will compete against each other in the same athletic conference, as their teams both compete in the Southeastern Conference. Cox will be majoring in communications, and Georgia’s communications program is highly regarded.
Mabrey Shaffmaster’s playing style intimidated her opponents in her four years of competing high school volleyball. An integral part of the volleyball team that won three consecutive state championships, her determination landed her a scholarship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As well as the athletic standpoint, the academic standpoint was crucial to her decision. “The academics at UNC are also exactly what I wanted & will get me to my life goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon,” Shaffmaster said.
Mackenzie Snyder moved to New Castle her junior year and immediately made an impact on the girls soccer team. Her success on the soccer pitch led her to commit to play at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. This small, Division III school was the perfect match for Snyder, who commented specifically on the quality of education she would get there. “They offered the best education I could ask for in a small private school environment with some of the best financial aid I have ever heard of,” Snyder said.
These Trojan student-athletes have excelled in the classroom and on the field, and now they have been given the opportunity to compete the sports that they love in college.
