Ithaca High sends many student-athletes off to college ranks

Every year, Ithaca High School says goodbye to a myriad of students who will continue their academic and athletic careers in college. This year’s class in particular stands out for its sheer size and incredible quality, including multiple future Division I athletes.

On June 12, a total of 18 student-athletes were recognized at the Class of 2025 Scholar-Athlete Signing ceremony. Lacrosse was undoubtedly the strongest contingent with nine athletes honored.

Girls lacrosse will send four Division I athletes to the college ranks, continuing its proud history of having Little Red alumni compete at the top level. Ella Thomforde is making the longest trek, all the way to the West Coast at Stanford University. Thomforde was the Little Red’s most dangerous attacker, pacing the Little Red with 67 goals and finishing her illustrious career with over 300 points. She also played an instrumental role as the team’s main draw control taker.

“Ella has a ‘let’s go, guys’ attitude, which is a joy to be around, and her love for the game is contagious.” said head coach Kaitlyn Hoffay.

Olivia Frazier is staying in-state at UAlbany. Standing strong between the pipes, Frazier increased her save percentage throughout her four-year varsity career. The big highlight came in the Class A regional championship, making a career-high 15 saves to help the Little Red win its first-ever regional title.

Eleni Switzer will also be staying put in New York, heading west to Niagara University. Switzer was a back-to-back Section IV Second Team All-Star, with the attacker racking up over 75 career points.

At the Division II level, Reese Cole is heading to a place with much warmer weather at Flagler College, located an hour south of Jacksonville, Florida. Cole was a two-time Section IV First Team All-Star midfielder, wrapping up her career with over 100 career points.

In Division III, Alex Pasto will play at SUNY Oswego. Pasto did not play for the Little Red this year but has played in goal in previous seasons.

For boys lacrosse, five athletes will be continuing their careers, all of whom are remaining in-state. Owen Simons is off to SUNY Geneseo off the back of another stellar campaign. Simons led the Little Red with 57 goals and is a three-time Section IV All-Star.

The Preheim twins will go their separate ways for college lacrosse. Charlie is heading to Clarkson as a two-time All-Star and a team assists leader this season. Meanwhile Will is going to Nazareth, also with a pair of All-Star nods.

Another two-time All-Star is Ryder Bonn, who will be attending SUNY Brockport as a defender. Ryan Hughes is taking his goalie talents to D’Youville University.

A trio of athletes will be part of their respective cross country and track & field teams in college. Noah Hilker will make the hour-long trip south to Binghamton University. Hilker capped off his high school career in the best possible way, winning the Class A state title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and breaking his own school record in the process.

Speaking of state champions, Riley Hubisz did so last year during the indoor season in the 3,200-meter run. Also a STAC and Section IV champion in cross country this past fall, Hubisz is heading to UMass-Amherst.

Everett Shaw is also attending school in New England at Bates College in Maine. Shaw ended his time with the Little Red on a strong note, placing fifth at states in the steeplechase.

“Everett’s the kind of person who brings both an intense dedication and loyalty to the team,” said head coach Becca Lovenheim. “He’s also the one who I always want to welcome our newest members.”

A pair of Ithacans will be staying in town at Cornell University. Joshua Kwakye-Minott will be competing for the track and field team. Like Hilker and Hubisz, Kwakye-Minott also heads to college with a state championship in hand, taking home the Division II title last outdoor season in the long jump. Max Lindenberg will be part of the Big Red’s sailing team.

Isaiah Smith also doesn’t have to travel far at all for school as he will join the Ithaca College baseball team. Smith was a two-time STAC All-Division selection as both an outfielder and a pitcher. His teammate Estyn Elkouh is playing ball at Middlebury College in Vermont. He earned a STAC All-Conference nod this spring also as a pitcher and outfielder. Smith and Elkouh played crucial roles in helping the Little Red qualify for sectionals for the first time since 2019.

Oliver Klemm rounds out this impressive list. He is the lone Ithacan to venture to the Midwest as he continues his soccer career at Grinnell College, a Division III school in Iowa. Klemm led the Little Red attack with six goals and six assists this fall and was a STAC All-Conference selection.

“Oliver is a strong leader on and off the field,” said head coach Jonathan Billing. “He’s a hard worker. He’s probably one of the most coachable kids I’ve had in 15 years of coaching soccer.”