Jackson girls score big with placements and scholarships

Jackson High School girls’ lacrosse coach Lori Johnson (top left) stands with Katie Batiuk, Nicole Adams, assistant coach Nick Caruso, as well as Amy Rizzo (bottom left), Danielle Gressey and Sarah Kahale.

JACKSON — After only five years of development, the girls’ lacrosse program at Jackson Memorial High School ends the school year with a record number of college placements and scholarships.

Two players, Danielle Gressey and Amy Rizzo, recently accepted scholarships to play together at Long Island University, New York.

Sarah Kahale recently accepted a scholarship to play at Queens University in Charlotte, N.C.

Senior Katie Batiuk accepted a scholarship earlier this spring to play at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, and senior Nicole Adams will head to Drexel University, Philadelphia.

"It was a very exciting year," said lacrosse head coach Lori Johnson. "After 10 years of coaching sports and five years with the lacrosse program, this is the most students we’ve sent on to play in college."

Johnson said she is thrilled her players were able to earn such admirable placements and scholarships — four Division I scholarships (Batiuk, Gressey, Rizzo and Adams), one Division II scholarship (Kahale), and two Division III placements — Ashley Meinders to Washington College in Maryland, and Dana Daroci to Kean University, Union.

"We’ve had one or two players sign before, but this is the most we’ve had at once," Johnson said. "It gives me goose bumps."

Gressey, who plays defensive wing, and Rizzo, who plays the low attack position, said they are happy that they will have a chance to continue to play together at Long Island University.

"It’s exciting to have it all settled so we can relax this summer," said Gressey, who signed her letter of intent in front of her parents, Allan and Zoraida, and her sister Nicole.

Rizzo, who signed her letter of intent in front of parents Tom and Patti, said she is looking forward to her college career.

"I’m excited to go," Rizzo said. "I think we’re going to like playing there."

Kahale said she fell in love with the North Carolina campus of Queens University the moment she saw it.

"It’s so nice there and we felt so welcome," said Kahale after signing her letter of intent in front of her mother, Melanie, and sister, Ashley. "I’m looking forward to playing there."