BALLSTON SPA — Six graduating student-athletes from Ballston Spa High School officially signed letters of intent to play Division I and II collegiate sports at a ceremony on Thursday.
Four seniors on the varsity boys lacrosse team will be competing in college. Sean Dwyer, Dominick Zichelli, and Troy Gottmann each committed to The College of St. Rose, while Charlie Burmaster committed to Franklin Pierce University.
Shane Slezak is committed to The College of St. Rose for baseball, while Jacob Armer is committed to St. Bonaventure University for track and field.
Dwyer said the trio of St. Rose lacrosse commits are “super close,” noting that they have played together from a young age.
“I think the chemistry is going to be off the charts there, because I’ve been playing with them for so long,” said Dwyer.
“Yeah, we already know how each other plays, so it’s going to be a lot easier to develop chemistry, like he said,” added Zichelli.
Zichelli said he is excited to spend four more years with his teammates, while Gottmann added the three players are like “a family.”
“They’ve got my back, I’ve got theirs,” said Gottmann. “It’s always been like that, and it’s not going to stop in college.”
Burmaster, who will play lacrosse at Franklin Pierce, said the Ravens’ coaching staff stood out in his decision, and offered thanks to his teammates and coaches for their support.
“They’ve really helped me grow as a player and a person, on and off the field,” Burmaster said. “I really give them credit for giving me the opportunity to be able to look at and go to a good college like this.”
Franklin Pierce and St. Rose are each members of the Northeast-10 Conference, with Burmaster adding that he is looking forward to facing his high school teammates.
Slezak, committed to St. Rose for baseball, said the school is “a perfect fit” for him.
“They have a very good business program, and that’s what I’d like to pursue,” said Slezak. “Everything just all added up for the decision to go there.”
He said his time with the Scotties’ varsity baseball team “meant a lot.”
“I learned a bunch from Coach Nobles,” Slezak said. “My teammates, I’ve played with them all since I was very young. So being able to go out there and compete with all of them, it was a very good time.”
Armer, committed to St. Bonaventure for track and field, said the campus felt like a “second home already” upon his first visit.
“It feels great,” said Armer of his commitment. “My coaches supported me, my teammates supported me, my family. The drives to practice, the meets, everything.”
Armer said he is looking forward to competing with his new team.
“Just seeing where my new coaches and my team can take me, what I can do with myself and the hard work that I put in,” Armer said.
See below for a full list of Ballston Spa student-athletes who signed letters of intent to Division I and II schools on Thursday:
• Jacob Armer (St. Bonaventure University, Track and Field)
• Charlie Burmaster (Franklin Pierce University, Lacrosse)
• Sean Dwyer (The College of St. Rose, Lacrosse)
• Troy Gottmann (The College of St. Rose, Lacrosse)
• Shane Slezak (The College of St. Rose, Baseball)
• Dominick Zichelli (The College of St. Rose, Lacrosse)
