On Tuesday, May 16, 2017, Upper Dublin seniors Natalie Ieraridi, Alexa Kerprich, Layne Morgan, Alana Noehrenberg and Sarah Smith were recognized for committing to continue their track and field careers at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery at the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/g/051617_signings_-_mjs
Natalie Ierardi – Washington and Lee University (Track & Field)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Washington and Lee, William & Mary, Lehigh, Pepperdine, Richmond, Pittsburgh
Reasons for choosing Washington and Lee: “It has unsurpassed academics, and my dad went there.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track at the collegiate level? “I started track sophomore year, and I just did it for fun, so I never really thought it would turn into me going there for college, but when I looked at Washington and Lee, it was D3, so it will be a perfect balance between sports and school.”
Coach Matt Dwyer says: “Natalie is an extremely talented young lady. She has phenomenal range. She has competed in a variety of events to help her team this year. She has run the 100-200-300 hurdles, the 400-800 as well as the 4x1,4x4,4x8 relays and the javelin.”
About Natalie:
Favorite food: Ice Cream
Favorite movie: 21 Jump Street
Favorite music: Hip Hop/Rap
Alexa Kerprich – Gettysburg College (Track & Field)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Gettysburg, Bucknell, Delaware, Penn State, Maryland, Muhlenburg, Loyola
Reasons for choosing Gettysburg: “I like the campus, size and location. I also received a scholarship, and I can run track there.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track at the collegiate level? “I did not think I wanted to continue track in college until the Gettysburg coach contacted me in the fall and I started thinking about it more. I visited and stayed with a girl on the team, and that’s when I decided.”
Coach Matt Dwyer says: “Alexa is dedicated, devoted and determined. She is the girl that does everything she can to get better. Whether it’s spending time after practice working on her start or coming in at 6 am for optional morning workouts in the weight room. She holds teammates accountable and will do whatever it takes to reach her full potential and pull it out of her teammates. Alexa was a district qualifier in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays.”
About Alexa:
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite movie: Harry Potter
Favorite music: Pop
Layne Morgan – Moravian College (Track & Field)
Major: Special Education
Final list of colleges: Moravian, West Chester
Reasons for choosing Moravian: “I love how small Moravian College is and the amazing community it has. The town of Bethlehem is amazing and such a great aspect to add onto the college.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track at the collegiate level? “I always knew I wanted to do track in college even from the beginning. I have been running since I was little in CYO and always loved it. With track, you meet such a diverse group of people, which is the best part. Track has really made me branch out in many aspects of life. I started the process of looking into potential colleges in the summer of senior year with the help of my mom’s friend, Mrs. Accurso. If it wasn’t for her, I would have been a lot more stressed out.”
Coach Matt Dwyer says: “Layne is an all-around great teammate. She competes in the triple jump, shot put, and discus. She is always looking to help her team in any way possible and has played the role of athlete and assistant coach all year. She has been key in the development of our triple jumpers and throwers. Layne was a district qualifier in the shot put this year.”
About Layne:
Favorite food: Wings
Favorite movie: The Blind Side
Favorite music: Everything
Alana Noehrenberg – Muhlenberg College (Track & Field)
Major: Undecided
Reasons for choosing Muhlenberg: “Beautiful campus, friendly student body and professors, good track and field program.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track at the collegiate level? “I have competed in track and field since seventh grade for Upper Dublin High School and with two different clubs (AOC and SportsExtra) during the summer. I started thinking about competing in college in 11th grade when I began the whole college search process. I had a few coaches reach out to me, and I reached out to a few coaches; eventually, I decided that Muhlenberg was the right college for me both academically and athletically.”
Coach Matt Dwyer says: “Alana is a technician. She works on her high jump craft endlessly. She has persevered through some nagging injuries and continues to excel in the high jump. Alexa was a district qualifier two years in a row.”
About Alana:
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite movie: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Favorite music: The Beatles
Sarah Smith – Swarthmore College (Track & Field)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Swarthmore, Pitt, Ursinus, Haverford
Reasons for choosing Swarthmore: “Academics and ability to continue running in college.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track at the collegiate level? “I started thinking about running in college my freshman/sophomore year when the seniors that were on the cross country and track teams went on to run in college. This past year when I was looking at schools, I knew I wanted to find a college where I could continue what I had loved doing the past four years. The recruiting process started last summer when I emailed the coaches.”
Coach Matt Dwyer says: “Sarah was the leader of our team for the past two years. She ran on our 10th place 4x800 at states as a sophomore. She has been the leader of our Cross Country team and our distance team for the past two years. She has been a guiding light for our young and inexperienced distance team. She is a person that does it all the right way.”
About Sarah:
Favorite food: Chinese Food
Favorite movie: The Minions
Favorite music: Anything Taylor Swift
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