Berger chooses Rutgers; LCM honors college-bound athletes

Lower Cape May Regional High School senior athletes set to play sports at the college level were honored Tuesday. Pictured are (from left): standing – Will Berger, Chase Mendyk, Brennan Ray, aaron Cottrell; sitting – Abby Boyle, Paige Golden, Jenna Durbin, Grace Suttera, Jo Jo Gibson. Not pictured: Patrick Holden.

Lower Cape May Regional High School celebrated its college-bound senior athletes Tuesday.

The school held a signing ceremony for each of its athletes set to play their respective sports in college.

That included three athletes who will further their careers at the Division I or II level.

Will Berger, one of the top distance runners in school history, will continue his athletic and academic career at Division I Rutgers University. Berger won the 1,600-meter race at the Cape-Atlantic League track and field championships last week. He was also the Big Five, county and CAL champion in cross country in the fall.

Two female athletes will move on to the Division II level. Soccer player Grace Suttera will continue her career at Wilmington University, while lacrosse player Abby Boyle will go on to play at Kutztown University.

Other athletes recognized for their Division III college choices included Aaron Cottrell (Kean University, football), Jenna Durbin (Marywood University, lacrosse), Jo Jo Gibson (Rutgers-Camden University, soccer), Paige Golden (Stevenson University, lacrosse) and Chase Mendyk (Stockton University, lacrosse). Another Lower Cape May athlete set to play at the Division III level, Pat Holden (Widener University, basketball), was not present for the ceremony.

The event was hosted by Lower Cape May Regional superintendent Chris Kobik and athletic director Erik Siimonsen. Dozens of the athletes’ family members and friends were also present.

— Brian Cunniff