Fourteen Broncos from the Class of 2025 to Play Sports in College
By J. Murrer and S.Q. DeJoy
June 26, 2026: Year after year, Bronxville High School students choose to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. This longstanding tradition is a result of the hard work and dedication of athletes along with the support and guidance of first-rate coaches and the Bronxville Athletic Department.
Bronxville's athletic teams consistently excel in league, sectional, and state competitions. For example, during the 2024-2025 school year, the boys’ and girls’ cross country, indoor, and outdoor track and field teams had exceptional success, securing league and sectional championships and achieving impressive results at the New York State championships.
A total of fourteen students from Bronxville High School’s Class of 2025 have committed to playing college sports. Thanks to the exceptional performance of the track & field program, seven of these athletes will continue competing in track and field in college. The remaining seven are moving on to compete in football, lacrosse, baseball, squash, and swimming.
The work ethic of Bronxville athletes is unmatched. Alex Napolitano and teammate Finbar DeMarr excelled in throwing events in track and field and will continue their athletic careers in college. DeMarr is heading to Holy Cross, and Napolitano--who also played running back and linebacker for the football team--will join Bucknell University’s track and field team in the fall.
“Striving to become a D1 athlete only starts on the Bronxville track team,” said Napolitano. “You need to put in more work, time, and effort than every other person you compete with. The effort you put in to practice will show up in how you perform when the lights shine the brightest.”
Juliet Winiecki knows a lot about putting in the effort. Winiecki, a track and field athlete, competed at the New York State Championships for four consecutive years. Her most memorable moment came during her sophomore year, when she and her teammates won back-to-back D2 State Championships in both the 4x100m relay and the 4x400m relay.
“I remember feeling incredibly proud of my teammates and all the hard work we had put in the weeks leading up to states,” said Winiecki. “Overall, I’m excited to experience more moments like these at the University of Chicago. I know that track and field is going to remain an important part of my life for the next four years, and I look forward to all the friendships, difficult workouts, long meets, and memories that come with it."
Juliet Winiecki. Photo by Angel Tomala-Reidel.
Wyatt Gravier is an exceptional athlete, earning All-Section and All-State honors. As a junior, he captured the New York State Championship and the Federation title in the 110m hurdles running a 14.05. This past June, he shattered his Bronxville School record by clocking 13.78 in the Section 1 Class B State Qualifier. That time stands as the second-fastest ever recorded in New York State history.
“I was running the 55m hurdles indoor this past winter and during the start, they had us do intros,” said Gravier. “I remember all the kids making it about themselves and not showing pride in their teams. When I got the opportunity, I made sure to point out the name Bronxville written on my uniform’s chest to show I wasn’t running for myself but for the whole town.”
For Wyatt Gravier, the recruiting process was stressful because he worried about not being able to go where he wanted.
“I remember not even considering UConn when I first started reaching out to coaches,” said Gravier. “But then, I got an opportunity to meet the coach at a track camp. He was awesome. I learned so much from him so I reached out and went to see the school. After my visit, that’s when I knew I wanted to be a Husky.”
Gravier has advice for those in the middle of the recruiting process.
“Don’t stress --just enjoy the process, and don’t count out any school until you see it in person, meet the team, and meet the coaches and staff. Your last option can quickly become your favorite.”
Wyatt Gravier. Photo by Angel Tomala-Reidel.
While the college-bound athletes are looking forward to forging new relationships and allegiances to future teams, they look back on their Bronco days fondly. Campbell Molloy, who played both field hockey and lacrosse for Bronxville, will join the Ithaca College lacrosse team this fall but will always have great memories of being a Bronco.
“Playing sports at Bronxville was the highlight of my high school experience,” commented Molloy. “The family that you become a part of is something truly special. I know the friends I’ve made through my teams are ones that I will cherish forever!”
Campbell Molloy is super excited for her future career at Ithaca College.
“Playing at the next level has been a dream of mine since I was in 5th grade. Ithaca provides me with incredible opportunities along with the athletic aspect. I’m studying Physical Therapy in their 6-year doctorate program which is going to immensely impact my future. None of this would be possible without the Bronxville Lacrosse community so I am eternally grateful.”
Campbell Molloy. Photo by David Fenner.
Fiona Barr, a three-time All-Section swimmer who has been to states three times, echoes Molloy’s sentiments about the value of participating on a Bronxville team. Barr will swim at Washington and Lee in the fall.
“Varsity swimming was a lot of fun,” said Barr. “My favorite memories are from our team dinners and the three state championships I attended. We also had a ton of close meets this year, and it was exciting to cheer my teammates on.”
Fiona Barr. Photo by David Fenner.
The college recruiting process is different for everyone. For Amy Villanueva, the offer to join Bucknell’s lacrosse team happened early. Villanueva, a 5-year starter for the Bronxville lacrosse team and an Academic All-American, accepted an offer to play at Bucknell at the start of her junior year. She and her teammates captured the Class D New York State Lacrosse Championship in 2022, and she was also part of Bronxville’s Class B soccer squad that secured the New York State title in fall 2021.
Amy Villanueva. Photo by Joe Villanueva.
Football player Jack Preusse was very interested in attending Bowdoin College and met with the coaches when he went to the campus.
“Bowdoin had already been my top choice as a school, and when I visited and the coaches told me that I could play on the team, I knew it was the place for me.”
“Playing on the O-Line with such a great and unforgettable group of guys was an awesome experience,” added Preusse. “I am also so grateful to have so many great and inspirational coaches throughout my football career.”
Alessa Johnson did not consider playing in college until she was accepted to Babson College. Johnson won the triple jump at the Class C Section 1 Championships during the indoor and outdoor seasons.
Alessa Johnson. Photo by Angel Tomala-Reidel
“I’m actually walking on to Babson’s track team,” said Johnson. “I wasn’t recruited because I thought about the recruiting process too late.”
Choosing a school is an important process, and students hope to find a good fit academically, athletically, and socially. Jack Gangemi, who has been recruited to play outfield at Hobart, will join former Bronco teammate Chris Lockwood who is a pitcher on the Hobart roster.
“I chose Hobart because of its strong athletic program and supportive academic environment,” said Gangemi. “I'm eager to contribute to the team's success and make new friends along the way. I'm also looking forward to exploring new academic interests and growing as a person.”
Jack Gangemi. Photo by David Fenner.
Athletes from the Class of 2025 have had remarkable high school careers earning numerous athletic and academic honors-- and even setting new school records.
Kieran McBride, a long-distance track athlete, broke the Bronxville School record in the 3000m steeplechase at the New York State Championship in June placing 2nd in Class B with a time of 9:28.74. McBride will run at Middlebury this fall.
Teammate Davis Patterson, who will run for Davidson, has also set some records of his own. Patterson is the indoor record holder for the 300m and 600m. He and his 4x400m relay teammates set the Bronxville record in June with a time of 3:24.25. Patterson, who also played Bronco football, was named Class B Offensive Back of the Year and All-Section and All-State for two years. He was also named Golden Dozen Scholar Athlete, honorable mention.
Matthew McSherry will join the football team at Amherst College after a successful high school career as a lineman. He was named Section 1 Offensive Player of the Year last fall and was awarded All-Section and All-State-First Team honors for both his junior and senior seasons. In March, McSherry was one of twelve football players in Westchester to be honored with the Golden Dozen award, which recognizes players for their athletic and academic accomplishments.
Matthew McSherry (78). Photo by David Fenner.
Ian Acarjee, who played squash for Bronxville, has also been recognized for his athletic and academic accomplishments and received the Scholar- Athlete award by US Squash in both 2023 and 2024. Acarjee was a key member of the squash team and competed at the U.S. High School Squash Championship this past February. He will be playing squash for Wesleyan University.
Fiona Barr, Washington and Lee, swimming
Alessa Johnson: Babson College, track and field
Alex Napolitano: Bucknell University, track and field
Amy Villanueva: Bucknell University, lacrosse
Campbell Molloy: Ithaca College, lacrosse
Davis Patterson: Davidson College, track and field
Finbar DeMarr: College of the Holy Cross, track and field
Ian Acarjee: Wesleyan University, squash
Jack Gangemi: Hobart College, baseball
Jack Preusse: Bowdoin College, football
Juliet Winiecki: University of Chicago, track and field
Kieran McBride: Middlebury College, track and field
Matthew McSherry: Amherst College, football
Wyatt Gravier: University of Connecticut, track and field
Go Broncos.
