Branford High School held its ceremonial spring signing day this week, when eight student athletes officially announced they planned to continue playing sports in college.
The BHS athletes signed to their colleges for sports ranging from baseball to wrestling and even cheerleading. During a signing day in the fall, lacrosse player Aliza Giordano signed with Division 1 Mercer. This spring all the athletes signed to either Division III or II programs.
The signing day ceremony shows extreme talent and “speaks to the high standards we are continuing to uphold at BHS,” said Brian Zaklukiewicz, BHS’s Athletic Director.
The eight athletes who signed were Stella Andresen, Julianne Henkel, Maddy Polce, Keegan Walsh, Ava Gamberdella, Alex Leblanc, Trevor Cser, and Caitlin Letner. The athletic department set up a table outside the Alumni Gym where athletes and their families could pose for pictures and show off their new school’s team colors.
Both Stella Andresen and Julianne Henkel signed with their schools to play volleyball. Andresen signed with Keene State, and Henkel signed with Western New England University. Henkel, who played setter for the BHS volleyball team, said she is excited to continue playing at college.
“There are two types of people, those who think they can, and those who think they can’t,” she said. “They are both right.”
Andresen was one of BHS girls volleyball captains this past fall, helping the team finish 8th in the conference. She plans to study sports management.
When asked her favorite memory of the team, Andresen said it was “beating Lauralton Hall on our senior night this past year.”
Andresen also shared that she believes if people want to continue to pursue sports in college, “It is never too late to get recruited and if you have the opportunity to play at the next level take that opportunity.”
Maddy Polce signed her commitment letter to the University of Rhode Island, as well as announcing she will be continuing cheerleading at the school. Maddy was a Branford cheerleader for many years, starting in the Branford Youth Cheer program , and continuing in high school. She made an impact on the BHS varsity team contributing to many of the teams events and competitions as their flyer.
Keegan Walsh signed with University of Mount Saint Vincent in the Bronx, N.Y., to study business and continue playing lacrosse.
Walsh played on the BHS lacrosse team for three years, and said his favorite memory of lacrosse was the team’s “first win my sophomore year against West Haven.”
When asked what advice he’d give to someone looking to pursue sports in college, he said “if you’re a high school athlete interested in college athletics reach out. Reach out to the coaches yourself. And have the confidence in yourself that you can do it.”
Ava Gamberdella, BHS’s two-time State Open wrestling champion and school record-breaker, committed to the University of Bridgeport, where she plans to major in criminal justice.
BHS football captain Alex Leblanc also announced his plans for post BHS graduation, committing to Springfield college, to continue playing football. Leblanc has made an impact on the BHS football team for his four years of high school, always pushing the team forward and keeping their motivation going.
Trevor Cser, captain of this year’s Branford Baseball team also announced his commitment to University of Saint Joseph, planning to study business.
“You have to be willing to put in the work to get to where you want to be. It won’t just come overnight,” he said.
His hard work has shown through his game, and he has been recognized for it, being named BHS Baseball MVP for the 2025 season, being part of first team all SCC, and also being invited to play in the Connecticut All-Star game last year.
Caitlyn Lentner, also announced her commitment to the Merchant Marine Academy. Being a part of the cross country and track and field team at BHS for the past two years, Lentner said she excited to continue participating in these sports as she continues her post high school journey.
Zaklukiewicz said he is proud that so many students are able to balance academic and athletics, he is excited for them to pursue their futures.
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