Wissahickon seniors Katie Sapozhnikov, Griffin Bowers & Maddy Hippensteal were recognized for committing to compete in their respective sport at the collegiate level. Information below was obtained from the Wissahickon’s College Signing Day video. To view the video in its entirety, please click on the following link: https://www.suburbanonesports.com/videos/wissahickon-college-signing-day-spring-2020-0090304 (Photos provided courtesy of Wissahickon High School)
Griffin Bowers – Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Swimming)
Major: Interactive Media & Game Design
Final list of colleges: WPI, Northeastern, Stevens, Drexel
Reasons for choosing WPI: “I chose WPI because of its top game design program and strong swim team.”
Favorite memories competing at Wissahickon: “My favorite memories of swimming at Wissahickon High School were going to the new pool for the first time and all the friends I made through the team.”
Coach Jonathan Faikish says: “I’ve had the distinct pleasure of coaching Griffin Bowers for the past two years in both water polo and swimming. A couple of my favorite memories involving Griffin – one was his pure ability of leadership for both teams. Two was his ability of turning any opponent and creating immediate offensive opportunities for us to score in water polo, and three – with multiple district qualifying times in swimming, he was always capable of scoring points for us, no matter what event he was put in and always turning any relay he was part of into a successful one. I and all of Wiss nation would love to wish Griffin Bowers the best of luck next year at Worcester Polytech Institute.”
Maddy Hippensteal – Bucknell University (Track & Field)
Major: Mathematics. She will also be part of the Army ROTC Program
Final list of colleges: Bucknell, Lehigh, Lafayette, Villanova, U.S. Coast Guard Academy
Reasons for choosing Bucknell: “I decided on Bucknell because my goal had always been to attend a highly (regarded) academic university which also has a high dedication to athletics, and Bucknell fit the school perfectly.”
Favorite memories competing at Wissahickon: “One of my favorite memories from running at Wissahickon was from this past indoor track season where I hit the qualification time for the 400 and 800 for the state championship meet, and we also qualified as a relay for the 4x400. At the meet, I had a PR split for my 400, and we ended up being only .04 off New Balance Nationals. Another memorable experience was running at the Penn Relays my freshman and junior years, which were actually the only two years I ran outdoor track. After I dropped the baton last year, I still had a PR.”
Coach Heidi Butt says: “I have had the distinct pleasure of coaching Maddy Hippensteal in both cross country and spring track and field at Wissahickon High School. From day one, Maddy has always served as a leader on our teams. She’s athletically talented, but her huge heart sets her apart. She’s always looking out for others, and she is always a source of joy. I wish Maddy the best of luck at Bucknell. They are lucky to have her, and we are going to miss her tremendously.”
Coach Holly Stagliano: “I’ve had the pleasure of coaching Maddy Hippensteal in girls’ indoor track at Wissahickon High School. My best memories of Maddy are her qualifying for the open 800 meters and the 4x400 meter relay this past year at states. I also remember her as a very good team leader and very funny, especially with all her Tik Toks. I wish Maddy all the best at Bucknell University next year.”
Katie Sapozhnikov – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Swimming)
Major: Engineering
Reasons for choosing MIT: “I chose MIT for the world class academic opportunities as well as the close-knit and competitive team.”
Favorite memories competing at Wissahickon: “My favorite memories at Wiss include getting to go to states with the team every year. I
am grateful for all the memories I’ve gotten to make at Wissahickon.”
Coach Laurie Hug says: “I’ve had the great privilege of coaching Katie Sapozhnikov in swimming at Wissahickon the past four years. I think I first saw Katie when she was about 10 swimming at the YMCA. A couple of years later, a couple of us were training, and we saw this girl working really hard in the next lane, so one of my friends challenged her to a race. While I think he beat her, it was really close, and she really pushed him, so I saw that this girl was fierce.
“A few years later when I found out she was going to swim at Wissahickon, I was really excited. Over the 12 years that I’ve been coaching at Wiss, I would say she is probably not only the most competitive but also the hardest working athlete I’ve ever worked with. When she told me she got into MIT and was also going to be swimming there, I was thrilled. I’m so excited for her. She’s very deserving, and she has earned it. I wish Katie all the best in college, and I honestly cannot imagine what it’s going to be like without her. We are going to miss her tremendously. Good luck, Katie.”
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