Pope John's Brittany D'Addio joins a slew of athletes to play college soccer

Wednesday, February 03, 2010
by Julius Whigham II

Pope John Paul High had athletes sign letters of intent on Wednesday for for soccer, softball and lacrosse.

Soccer standout Brittany D'Addio signed with Flagler College in St. Augustine, while Katie Capobianco signed a softball scholarship with Daytona State. Clay Noell signed to play men's lacrosse at Salisbury (Md.) University.

D'Addio was among several area girls soccer players took part in college signings on Wednesday.

Alex Major of Boca Raton High signed with Florida Atlantic, while American Heritage goalkeeper Samantha Perretty signed with Rutgers. Laura Weinberg of St. Andrew's and Gilda Doria of King's Academy both signed with Duke while Caitlin Woody of Boca High signed with Georgia. Kelly Costopoulos of Boca signed with Emory University in Atlanta and Jenny Peterson of Park Vista signed with Landers University in Greenwood, S.C.

The girls are all also members of the Team Boca club soccer program.

"This is always one of my favorite days," said Bill D'Addio, the girls' soccer coach at Pope John Paul and the director of the Team Boca program. "Our mission is trying to help players get into college. … When we can help them (accomplish that goal), that's pretty rewarding."

Two Dwyer High School softball players committed to colleges Wednesday — catcher Clare Hosack is going to Baylor and outfielder Morgan Huhn is going to South Florida Community College.

Hosask picked Baylor over Virginia and North Carolina St.

"I like that it's a top softball program and, when I went on my visit, I felt like I really fit in," she said.

Coach Joe Dellarocca said Hosack has been a key player on the Panthers since her freshman year, when "she came in and handled some exceptional pitchers right away. You knew then she was going to be a big part of the development of our program while she was here."

In his fourth season as Panthers coach, Dellarocca said these girls are special to him because they are part of the first class he has seen through from freshman to graduation. "It's not only their accomplishments on the field, but these two young ladies are of outstanding character," he said of Hosack and Huhn.

Huhn worked her way up from the junior varsity to become junior captain last season and senior captain this season. "Her work ethic is absolutely second to none," Dellarocca said. "She's someone who worked hard in the offseason" to improve her athleticism and skills.

Huhn said she intends to use South Florida C.C. as a stepping stone to the University of Tampa. "The coach is really nice and the program is really good," Huhn said. "It felt good to be wanted."

Jensen Beach volleyball player Jenn Sessa, an outside hitter for the state championship Falcons, will play at Indian River State College.

"Jenn is an extremely hard worker, will do anything for the team, and has no problem giving the spot light to the other players on the team," Jensen Beach volleyball coach Mike Sawtelle said.

Post correspondent Paul Ivice and TCPalm contributed to this report.