Nine Raiders Commit to Compete in Collegiate Athletics 

Congratulations to the nine outstanding Raider Student-Athletes who recently committed to play collegiate sports at the Division 1 or 2 level next year!

Photo caption, left to right: Jacqueline Tattan '24, Nicolette Licare '24, Nathan Blanchette '24, Sophia Korbani '24, Joseph Haroutunian '24, Joshua Florence '24, Kierstyn Zinter '24, Grace Ryan '24, and Delaney True '24.

"It has been amazing to witness these student-athletes excel at their sports," said Mr. Zach Blaszak, Director of Athletics & Activities.

"We are proud of their accomplishments and grateful for the impact that they have made on our community. We wish them the best as they finish their high school careers and are excited to watch them succeed at the next level."

The following students will be playing their respective sports in college next year:

• Nathan Blanchette '24, Wrestling – Rutgers University
• Joshua Florence '24, Baseball – Stonehill College
• Joseph Haroutunian '24, Track & Field, Bryant University
• Sophia Korbani '24, Rowing - University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• Nicolette Licare '24, Lacrosse – University of Rhode Island
• Grace Ryan '24, Lacrosse – Barton College
• Jacqueline Tattan '24, Lacrosse – Saint Anselm College
• Delaney True '24, Lacrosse – University of New Hampshire
• Kierstyn Zinter '24, Lacrosse - University of Tampa

Photo Album: November 9 Signing Ceremony

Click here to view and download photos on SmugMug.

Nine Central Catholic student-athletes recently committed to continue their academics and participate in Division 1 and Division 2 collegiate-athletics next Fall 2024.

Meet the Student-Athletes

 

Nathan Blanchette '24

• Hometown: Methuen
• Middle School: Marsh Grammar School
• Sport: Wrestling
• Rutgers University (NJ)

Nathan recently committed to continue his academic and athletic career (wrestling) at Rutgers University (NJ).

In addition to academics, Nathan participates in Raider Varsity Wrestling, as well as Club Wrestling off campus.

Nathan’s Central Catholic experience was greatly enhanced by his interactions with his wrestling coach.

"Mr. Durkin (Mr. Jamie Durkin '00, Raider Varsity Wrestling Coach) is a great guy, a great coach, and a great role model.”

CCHS Legacy: Nathan’s mother Tracy (Ouellette '88^SM) Blanchette.

 

Joshua Florence '24

• Hometown: Haverhill
• Middle School: Sacred Hearts School, Bradford
• Sport: Baseball
• Stonehill College (MA)

Joshua recently committed to continue his academic and athletic career (baseball) at Stonehill College.

In addition to academics and playing baseball, Joshua is a Student Ambassador. He also makes time to help others.

"I enjoy volunteering at the Sacred Hearts food pantry each year over Christmas break and helping give food out to the homeless.”

Joshua appreciates the support he has received from CCHS faculty and staff.

"Coach P (Mr. Marc Pelletier '79, Physical Education & Health Teacher) has impacted me a lot during my time at Central. He has taught me many things, but the one thing I took away was to do everything in moderation and that you will always be ok in life if you do that.”

"I think that the unique trait that Central has is that there is a friend group for everyone," said Joshua. "It doesn’t matter your ethnicity, economic state, or anything else - there will always be a group for everyone."

 

Joseph Haroutunian '24

• Hometown: Salem, NH
• Middle School: Birches Academy, Salem, NH
• Sport: Track & Field
• Bryant University (RI)

Joseph recently committed to continue his academic and athletic career (track & field) at Bryant University.

 

Sophia Korbani '24

• Hometown: Methuen
• Middle School: Comprehensive Grammar School, Methuen
• Sport: Rowing
• University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Sophia recently committed to continue her academic and athletic career (rowing) at the University of North Carolina.

In addition to academics, Sophia participates in the National Honor Society. She also makes time to help others – "I enjoy helping my community and knowing I made a difference."

While at CCHS, Sophia has enjoyed "the community aspect and support" on campus.

CCHS Legacy: Sophia’s mother Sonia (Cherubin '91^PMA) Korbani, father Steve Korbani '89, sister Ava Korbani '22 and uncle George Korbani '83.

 

Nicolette Licare '24

• Hometown: Amesbury
• Middle School: Immaculate Conception School, Newburyport
• Sport: Lacrosse
• University of Rhode Island

Nicolette recently committed to continue her academic and athletic career (lacrosse) at the University of Rhode Island.

In addition to her academics, Nicolette participated in Girls Volleyball, Girls Lacrosse, and Student Ambassadors. Outside of CCHS, she referees Girls Youth Lacrosse.

Nicolette also makes time to serve other.

"When I’ve volunteered at the Lazarus House, I loved seeing the smiles on the families faces seeing a nice meal on their plate and the opportunity for their kids to enjoy themselves playing with all sorts of toys together," said Nicolette.

Nicolette’s Central Catholic experience was greatly enhanced by her interactions with her teachers.

"Mrs. Chase (Mrs. Diana Chase, Religious Studies Teacher) is super supportive and caring, and I can really tell how much her students mean to her and how interested she is in our lives."

"I think the close community makes Central Catholic special, because it feels like everyone knows they made the right choice and are happy to go here!"

CCHS Legacy: Nicolette’s father Robert Licare '84 and sister Ciera Licare '20.

 

Grace Ryan '24

• Hometown: Wilmington
• Middle School: Wilmington Middle School
• Sport: Lacrosse
• Barton College (NC)

Grace recently committed to continue her academic and athletic career (lacrosse) at Barton College (NC). 

In addition to academics, Sophia participates in Girls Varsity Lacrosse, Girls Indoor Track & Field, Student Alumni Association (Executive Board), and Student Ambassadors.

She also makes time to help others.

"Over the summer, I volunteered at Lahey Hospital in Burlington through an internship program in the ICU. I love being able to help out the nurses, the patients, and their families in any way I can."

Grace is appreciative of the support she has received from CCHS faculty and staff.

"Mr. Welch (Mr. Joseph Welch '90, English Teacher) has highly impacted my experience at CCHS. Transferring as a junior in high school was a challenge, but Mr. Welch never failed to make me feel accepted in his class. Mr. Welch was always a good listener and always noticed when something was up. This influenced my experience at CCHS because it made my transition more normal. Central Catholic really is just one big family. It has a community feel that other schools do not really have."

CCHS Legacy: Grace's brother Nicholas Ryan ’27 is also a CCHS student.

 

Jacqueline Tattan '24

• Hometown: North Andover
• Middle School: North Andover Middle School
• Sport: Lacrosse
• Saint Anselm College (NH)

Jacqueline recently committed to continue her academic and athletic career (lacrosse) at Saint Anselm College (NH), where she hopes to study Psychology.

In addition to playing Girls Lacrosse, Jacqueline participates in Peer Leaders and Student Alumni Association. Off campus, she plays club lacrosse, lifts weights, and also babysits.

Jacqueline makes time to serve those in need.

"Every year, the day before Christmas Eve, I hand out Christmas presents to parents who can’t afford to pay for presents for their kids," said Jacqueline. "It’s always something I look forward to and it makes me feel thankful for everything I have."

In addition to the support of her teachers, Jacqueline has been supported throughout her CCHS experience by her coach.

"My coach, Ms. Vanessa Pino '15, who is a CCHS grad, has helped shape me into the player I am today," said Jacqueline. "She encouraged me to work hard to reach my goals and made me a better lacrosse player and athlete as a whole."

"I love Central Catholic for its close community and team spirit!"

CCHS Legacy: Jacqueline’s sister Madeline Tattan '22 and brother Sean Tattan '27.

 

Delaney True '24

• Hometown: Windham, NH
• Middle School: Windham Middle School
• Sport: Lacrosse
• University of New Hampshire

Delaney recently committed to continue her academic and athletic career (lacrosse) at the University of New Hampshire.

In addition to being an active member of the Girls Lacrosse Team, Delaney also participates in other activities on the CCHS campus including the Student Alumni Association and Student Ambassadors. Outside of CCHS, she plays club lacrosse with the NH Tomahawks.

Delaney also makes time to help those in need.

"I have enjoyed all my community service and volunteering experiences," said Delaney. "They truly fill me with so much joy and I love to help people in any way I can."

Delaney’s teachers have played a significant role in her experience at Central Catholic.

"Mrs. O’Connor (Mrs. Laura O’Connor, World Languages Teacher), and Coach A (Mr. Charles Adamopoulos, Business & Technology Teacher) have impacted my experience at CCHS. They are fun characters that could make me laugh on any day. They are also interested in students’ outside lives and want to get to know us, which I appreciate. I have loved having the privilege to be in their classes."

“Central Catholic feels so special because it really feels like we are just one big family. There is an outstanding sense of community within it," said Delaney. "I’m honored to be able to be a part of that and to represent it."

CCHS Legacy: Delaney’s mother Jessica (Doherty '92^PMA) True, father Christopher True '92, grandfather John Ford '46, and cousin Ianna True '16.

 

Kierstyn Zinter '24

• Hometown: North Andover
• Middle School: North Andover Middle School
• Sport: Lacrosse
• University of Tampa (FL)

Kierstyn recently committed to continue her academic and athletic career (lacrosse) at the University of Tampa (FL). 

In addition to academics, Kierstyn participates in Varsity Lacrosse, Student Alumni Association, and Student Ambassadors. She also played club lacrosse at HGR out of North Andover.

Kierstyn appreciates the support and guidance she has received from her teavchers and coaches at CCHS.

"My Varsity Lacrosse coach (Ms. Vanessa Pino '15, Raider Lacrosse Coach) is someone who has impacted my experience at CCHS. She has helped me grow on and off the field and she is very relatable and has truly helped me grow with my love for the sport of lacrosse. Coach Pino always helped me through my recruiting process and has made my experience the past few years of high school lacrosse a time I will never forget. She is the most passionate and hardworking coach I have ever had."
 
"Central Catholic is a place that feels like family," said Kierstyn. "Whether you’re someone who plays sports, enjoys music, or joins lots of clubs. There are always people that are supporting one another, and every teacher wants the best for you."

CCHS Legacy: Kierstyn’s brother Preston Zinter '23
 

 

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About Raider Athletics

Raider Athletics represents a proud tradition of teamwork and excellence that enriches the Central Catholic experience for both participants and spectators.

We offer 30 Varsity Sports in competitions governed by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), the Merrimack Valley Conference (MVC), and the Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators Association (MSSAA).

Our student-athletes bring home State, Sectional, and Conference Championships on a regular basis while representing the school community with pride.