By S. Quinn DeJoy and J. Murrer

Jan. 6, 2016:  Bronxville seniors Joe Pepe and Sam Aherne gathered in the high school library with their parents and school administrators to recognize their commitment to play collegiate sports. This coming fall, Pepe will head to Dickinson College to play baseball, and Aherne will play soccer at Colgate University.

Pepe was only in eighth grade when he joined the Bronxville High School varsity baseball team. He received All-League recognition last year for his performance in center field and was selected to be captain of the baseball team this spring. In the fall he will transition from Bronco blue to red as he will play for the Dickinson Red Devils.

Anthony Vaglica, who coached Pepe and the varsity baseball team for the last four years, considers Pepe one of the best defensive outfielders in Section 1. "This season Joe will be a five-year varsity player, which is not something that many athletes in Section 1 can say," said Vaglica. "He will be the team's starting center fielder, lead-off hitter, and one of the top arms on the pitcher's mound."

Sam Aherne was also only in eighth grade when he joined the varsity soccer team. Aherne is a four-time All-League recipient and a two-time All-Section recipient, and he was named most valuable offensive player this past fall. In the 2015 preseason, he was named to lohud's Elite 11, a list of the top returning soccer players in Section 1. This year Aherne was the captain of the varsity soccer team and, along with co-captain Pepe, led the team to an 11-3-3 record.

"Getting the opportunity to play soccer at Colgate is really exciting for me," said Aherne. "It is a rewarding feeling after the long drives to practice and busy practice schedules throughout the years."

Go Broncos. 

Pictured here (rotating): (L to R) Athletic Director Karen Peterson, Sam Aherne, Joe Pepe, and Assistant Principal Marcellus Lessane; (L to R) parents Peter and Beth Aherne, Sam Aherne, Joe Pepe, and parents Fran and Joe Pepe.

Photos by S. Quinn DeJoy