12 Senior Wreckers Announce College Plans
Charlie Leonard and Yousef Shahin hope to continue playing soccer, as they try out for college teams next fall.
Seven other Wreckers plan to play club soccer at their universities.
That’s part of what lies ahead, after 12 Staples seniors graduate next month.
Leonard — the Block “S” Most Improved Player — is the latest in a long line of Wreckers to head to Union College. From Chris Swan, Mark Brickley, Olaf Neilsen and Jim Bacharach in the 1960s and early ’70s, through Guy Claveloux and Jem Sollinger in the ’80s and ’90s, and on to Mike Carey, Robbie Kramer and Nicky Hoberman in the 2000s, the Wreckers and Dutchmen have had a great connection.
“Coach Jeff Guinn never guarantees anyone anything,” Staples head coach Dan Woog said of his Union counterpart. “But I am extremely confident that Charlie will show well. Staples players have become Union captains and record-setters. I know Charlie has the talent and grit it takes to keep that tradition alive.”
Shahin — who, like Leonard, won a $5,000 Dan Woog Dedication Award at the banquet, thanks to the generosity of the Top of the Hill Team and Gudis Family Foundation — will play at Clark University in Worcester. Woog called that program “well suited” to a player like Shahin, who in 2 years as a varsity starter played a variety of positions, and was a true problem-solver.
The 7 Wreckers who will play club soccer include Jack Scott (University of Michigan), Diego Alanis (Tecnologico de Monterrey, Mexico), Foster Goldberg (Lehigh University), Steven Sobel (Princeton University), Daniel Boyce (University of Connecticut), Sebo Hood (George Washington University) and James Rubin (University of Oregon).
Other seniors have also announced post-graduation plans. Connor Weiler will attend Pennsylvania State University; Sterling Price heads to Syracuse University, and Andreas Bru returns to Norway for one more year of high school. He will then serve a year in the Norwegian army, before entering college.
“This is a fantastic group of schools. Then again, it’s a fantastic group of graduates,” Woog said. “Our guys have chosen well, and I have no doubt they will flourish in college. Their futures are amazing. We will miss them, but they’re ready to move on. And I hope they know they are always welcome on The Hill.”
Yousef Shahin and Charlie Leonard — shown here at the banquet in December — both hope to play college soccer next fall.
