OHIO CITY, OH - On Wednesday, February 4, Saint Ignatius High School celebrated 24 student-athletes who officially committed to continue their academic and athletic careers. Our signees will represent the Blue and Gold at the Division I, Division II, and Service Academy levels across 19 colleges and universities. The football program has the most commitments with five, and soccer follows suit with four. These 24 student-athletes have made their mark on the campus of Saint Ignatius and will look to become integral pieces at the next level.
Jude Banks - University of Georgia (Swimming)
One of the most decorated swimmers in Saint Ignatius history will continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Georgia.
Since he stepped foot on campus in Ohio City, Banks has been known for breaking record after record.
In his freshman swimming season in 2022-23, he broke a program record in the 100-yard Breaststroke, which still stands today at 57.89.
As a junior, Banks would win an OHSAA State Championship in the 100-yard Breaststroke, posting at the time his best time yet with a 53.70.
In his senior year in the 2025-26 season, Banks would help lead the Wildcats to first place in the National Catholic High School Championships in Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first time in program history that the Wildcats won the Catholic Championships.
At the event, Banks would total three gold medals and one bronze. In the Breaststroke, he would place first with a time of 53.57.
Banks' name can be found all over the Wildcat record board, including the 200-yard Medley Relay with a time of 1:27.93 with fellow teammates
Ian Kimak,
Jaimeson Hong, and
Thor Johannessen.
In a dual meet against St. Charles Prep to end the regular season, Banks would break an Ohio record in the Breaststroke with a time of 53.43. Banks also has swam at the highest level, competing at the US Summer Nationals.
In the 2025-26 season, Banks is ranked fourth among swimmers in the country by Swim Cloud.
Before turning his focus to the Bulldogs next fall, Banks is hoping to claim more accolades for the Wildcats as he and the Wildcats compete in the OHSAA State Meets.
Edward 'Teddy' Bryden - La Salle University (Rowing)
In his freshman season with the Wildcat Navy, Bryden would be a part of the 8+ boat that qualified for the National Championships in 2023. In the event, the Wildcats would place second for a silver medal.
Bryden would continue to work on his craft in the 8+ boat, once again qualifying for the SRAA National Championships, where the Junior 8+ would place fifth Nationally.
In his junior year, Bryden would earn a spot on the prestigious Varsity 8+ boat. The Wildcats would go on to place third in the 8+ event at the Midwest Championships.
This would help propel the Wildcats to win the Midwest Championship. It was the program's fourth consecutive rowing title at Midwest.
Bryden is primed for another season in the Varsity 8+ boat, competing to be one of the nation's fastest boats in 2026.
Bryden will be joining the La Salle Navy in the fall, a Division I program based in Philadelphia. La Salle is a nationally ranked program that has competed in the most prestigious regattas.
Bryden's teammate,
Andrew Uzl, is also heading to a Division I program in Syracuse; both are in the 8+ boat.
As spring is just around the corner, the Wildcat Navy looks poised not only to defend its Midwest Crown but to raise a gold medal in the National Championships.
Luke Creech - Central Connecticut State University (Baseball)
Luke Creech will be continuing his academic and baseball career at Central Connecticut State University.
Creech has gotten better and better each season as a pitcher for the Blue and Gold. In his freshman season in 2023, he posted an ERA of 3.32 and struck out 19. A season the Wildcats would finish 24-3.
Creech took a leap in his sophomore year at the Junior Varsity level, posting an ERA of 1.08 and striking out 28. As an outfielder for the JV Cats, he would hit for an average of .380 and 13 RBIs.
Heading into his junior year, Creech would focus more on pitching, working on his craft as he earned his first varsity letter.
He would appear in 11 games for the Wildcats in 2025, eating 16 innings. Creech earned his first varsity win against North Ridgeville at Baldwin Wallace University.
Creech finished his junior year with a 3-1 record and earned two saves. He would finish with a 3.06 ERA and 12 strikeouts.
Creech has four pitches in his repertoire that includes a fastball, changeup, curveball, and slider.
The southpaw pitcher will look to be a key piece in the Wildcats' rotation in 2026. He would show off his potential a season ago as Coach Ganor would call upon Creech in big moments to get the Cats out of an inning. His role will be elevated to senior, with the goal of leading the Wildcats to a State Championship.
In the fall, Creech will head to a Division I program in New Britain, Connecticut, that plays out of the Northeast Conference. A program that has boasted multiple Conference Championships, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Henry Ferguson - Brown University (Lacrosse)
Henry Ferguson is heading into his fourth season on the varsity roster for the Wildcats. Since he set foot on campus, it was no surprise that Ferguson was varsity-ready.
The senior will continue his academic and lacrosse career in the Ivy League at Brown University.
In his freshman season with the Wildcats in 2023, Ferguson settled right in under new Head Lacrosse Coach
Kyle Bernlohr. In that 2023 season, the Wildcats would win a Regional Championship and clinch a spot in the Final Four. Ferguson would finish that season with 26 goals, third-most on the team.
Ferguson's first varsity goal came on Wasmer Field in the home opener against Cathedral (IN).
In his junior season, Ferguson recorded multiple hat tricks and finished with 33 goals, second-most on the team. Ferguson would also collect 10 assists.
Ferguson would make an elevated jump as a junior in 2025, as the Wildcats would win a Regional Championship and clinch a berth in the State Championship, the third time in program history.
He would finish with a second-best 40 goals. Ferguson would be sidelined for the first three rounds of the OHSAA Tournament, but came back to score three goals in the Regional Final against Hoover and three goals in the State Semifinal against Dublin Jerome.
Ferguson has collected multiple accolades: 2nd-team All-Ohio in '25 and 3rd-team All-Ohio in '24. Position Player of the Year in '25. He's been All-Region each season and voted Best Lacrosse player by Cleveland.com.
Ferguson is a Team Captain this Spring as the Wildcats look to win their first State Title in program history.
Maxwell Friedrich - Georgetown University (Track | Cross Country)
In a program that produced Marc Sylvester '01, an Athletic Hall of Fame Member, it would be hard to imagine another student-athlete challenging Sylvester's records.
In comes
Maxwell Friedrich, one of the most decorated runners in the history of Saint Ignatius for Cross Country and Track.
Friedrich will continue his academic, cross country, and track and field career at Georgetown University. As a freshman, Friedrich was a State Qualifier for the Cross Country Cats.
Friedrich's name can be found on the record board at Saint Ignatius in two events for Track and Field. In his sophomore season, he broke the 3200m record with a time of 8:57.74, fourth fastest in Ohio History.
In the fall of his senior year for the Cat Pack, Friedrich would shatter the 5000m record with a time of 14:37.54 at the Valkyrie Invitational in Kentucky. It was just a few seconds off from a Kentucky record, and it was the sixth fastest time in the history of Ohio.
Friedrich has been named Cleveland.com's Runner of the Year in back-to-back seasons in 2024 and 2025.
Friedrich is a State Champion in the 3200m and has earned All-Ohio honors eight different times.
Outside of Saint Ignatius, Friedrich qualified for the New Balance Outdoor National Championships at the University of Pennsylvania.
Coming into his senior year with the Track and Field Cats, Friedrich is a Team Captain and is currently in the midst of the indoor season. He will look to break his own records yet again as the anchor of the Wildcats Track and Field unit.
Max Hirsch - Mercyhurst University (Baseball)
Max Hirsch will continue his academic and baseball career at Mercyhurst University.
Hirsch has been a member of the Saint Ignatius Baseball program all four years for the Wildcats.
On the freshman club in 2023, Hirsch would hit for an average of .379 and collect 16 RBIs, 22 runs, and nine walks.
Hirsch would move to the junior varsity level in 2024, becoming an every-game player for the JV Cats. He would go on to collect eight RBIs and 17 runs as a lead-off batter.
In the offseason, Hirsch has been named a Perfect Game Preseason Underclass All-American twice.
Head Baseball Coach
Brad Ganor has used Hirsch as a second baseman. In 2024, Hirsch would earn his first varsity level with the Wildcats and made his debut against Cape Henry.
He would get his first varsity hit against North Ridgeville, a game where he recorded two hits and scored a run.
Hirsch saw time in the infield for the Wildcats a season ago and finished his junior season with a .278 average and 15 runs. What shouldn't get lost in Hirsch's game is his speed on the base paths. Multiple games a season ago, Hirsch would be brought in as a pinch runner, and he would swipe eight bags as a junior.
Mercyhurst recently became a Division I program in the fall of 2024 and plays in the Northeast Conference, the same conference that teammate
Luke Creech will play in.
As a recently added Division I program, the Lakers are excited to have Hirsch on the diamond.
But before he heads down I-90 East in the fall, Hirsch will look to lead the Wildcats to a deep playoff run in 2026.
Levi Hoffman - Southern Nazarene University (Rugby)
It was a long journey for
Levi Hoffman before he called Saint Ignatius home. Born in Minnesota, the Hoffman family would call Cleveland home, and Levi would be a four-year student-athlete for the Saint Ignatius rugby program.
Hoffman has earned three varsity letters, playing under Head Rugby Coach
Dan Arbeznik '00.
Each season for the Wildcats, Hoffman has become a reliable kicker for the Wildcats, becoming a key piece in conversions and penalty kicks.
In his junior season, Hoffman's potential began to show in the Rugby team's trip to Spain. In their last game against Universidad de Granada RC, Hoffman was a key part in the Wildcats' 66-0 win in Granada.
Hoffman has also been selected to play on the club side for EIRA and CRA in National Tournaments outside the Saint Ignatius rugby team.
In 2025, Hoffman was part of a Wildcats team that secured another Rugby Ohio State Championship. It was also the second time in program history that the Wildcats won a National Championship with a 20-17 win over Herriman (UT).
In the upcoming 2026 season, Hoffman is primed for another international tour when the Wildcats travel back to Europe and visit France.
Along with competing for another State Championship and National Title in May. Hoffman will continue his academic and rugby career in Bethany, Oklahoma, for Southern Nazarene University. A program that is on the rise for collegiate rugby.
Bryce Ince-Lovelace has been Mr. Clutch for the Wildcat Soccer program in his three seasons on the varsity level.
In his sophomore season in 2023, the Wildcats went up against Ohio's number one-ranked team in Archbishop Moeller at Historic Crew Stadium. The Crusaders enjoyed a 1-0 lead throughout the match, and with under ten minutes to play, the Wildcats had their back against the wall.
Enter Ince-Lovelace, who gave the Wildcats new life when he scored on a header. That goal would force overtime, and the Wildcats would secure a State Champion victory in PKs.
Once again, the Wildcats faced an overtime thriller in the State Championship. In a scoreless contest against St. Charles Prep. The match appeared to be heading towards another PK finish.
With one second left in the second OT frame, Ince-Lovelace fired a shot past the Cardinal goalie. Securing a sixth consecutive State Championship.
Ince-Lovelace would be named a Team Captain for the 2025 season, a season in which saw the Wildcats secured a seventh straight trip to the State Championship.
Ince-Lovelace started in 21 games his senior year, scoring nine goals, two of which were game winners, and was responsible for 20 points. He would total 964 minutes played on the pitch in 2025.
When the dust settled, Ince-Lovelace would finish his career with the Blue and Gold with 24 goals, seven assists, and 55 points, along with seven game-winning goals.
Ince-Lovelace earned First-Team All-Greater Cleveland in 2025 and will continue his academic and soccer career at The Ohio State University, joining multiple Saint Ignatius alumni in the fall.
Roy Jones Jr. - University of Akron (Basketball)
RJ Jones was patient and waited for his opportunity to showcase his skills on the basketball court for the Wildcats. He was a member of the JV squad during his freshman and sophomore years.
By the end of his sophomore year in 2024, Jones was elevated to the varsity roster, gaining experience with names such as Reece Robinson,
Damon Friery, and
Quinn Woidke.
Jones was a member of the 2024 State Championship team and learned what it takes to be a championship-winning team.
In his junior season, Jones became a starter for Cam Joyce's squad. In his debut against Warrensville Heights, he would score 12 points.
Jones finished his junior season averaging 8.8 points per game and 3.5 rebounds.
Coming into his senior season in 2025-26, Jones took the leap, becoming one of the leaders for the varsity squad with first-year head coach Tom Parker. Through 16 games, Jones is averaging 15.0 points per game and 4.4 rebounds. Jones has gone on to score 20+ points in five of those games this season, including a career-high 27 points against Canton McKinley.
Jones is an efficient scorer for the Wildcats, averaging 56% from the field.
The senior would also stand out in a 71-67 win over St. Edward at Public Hall, scoring 17 points and recording five rebounds and three steals.
Jones will continue his academic and basketball career at the Division I level for the University of Akron. He will be showcasing his talents in the Mid-American Conference and will face former teammate
Quinn Woidke, who plays for Kent State.
Before heading to Akron, Jones is hoping to guide the Cats back to a State Championship in Division I.
Sam LoParo - Thomas More University (Baseball)
Sam LoParo will continue his academic and baseball career at Thomas More University in Kentucky.
LoParo is a pitcher who shows great attention to detail, working on his craft and becoming a standout hurler for Head Baseball Coach
Brad Ganor.
He began his baseball career at Saint Ignatius as a pitcher for the 24-3 freshman team. In that 2023 season, LoParo would appear in six games, logging 16.2 innings. He would not allow a single run; he would have a clean 0.00 ERA, while striking out 19.
The next season, LoParo would be on the 21-4 junior varsity squad as a PO. LoParo would appear in six games, logging ten innings in 2024. He would finish with an ERA of 1.40 and struck out 13 batters.
After that, LoParo would be elevated to the varsity squad in his junior year, serving as a key piece out of the bullpen in 2025.
LoParo's varsity debut came against Cape Henry on the Virginia Beach trip. He would go two innings, not allowing a run to cross in a 5-0 Wildcat win.
LoParo would make his first varsity start against Brunswick, logging three innings and striking out a varsity career-best five batters.
He wrapped up his 2025 season with a 3.40 ERA in 12.1 innings of work and struck out 13.
In the offseason, LoParo plays for Ohio City Baseball Club and was named to their All-Tournament team for pitching.
In the fall, LoParo will head to Crestview Hills, Kentucky, to play in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference for Thomas More. The Saints will add a versatile pitcher in LoParo.
As a senior, LoParo is looking to lead the Cats for a deep 2026 playoff run.
Hank McGowan - University of Chicago (Rugby)
Rugby has been a part of Hank McGowan's life since he played youth league. Before even stepping foot on campus, the potential of McGowan on the rugby pitch was palpable.
In his first season playing Wildcat Rugby, McGowan was called upon in a big way at the 2023 Midwest Championships in Elkhart, Indiana. Typically, that is the same weekend as Saint Ignatius' Prom, which sidelines all of the rugby seniors.
Head Rugby Coach Dan Arbeznik assembled a team of juniors, sophomores, and one freshman, who was McGowan.
In the Midwest Championship against St. Edward, McGowan earned the start at fly-half. The Wildcats would win 17-15. McGowan has been a part of three consecutive Rugby Ohio State Championships.
In his high school career, he has perhaps not played in a bigger match than the 2025 National Championships at Moose Rugby Grounds.
After holding on to defeat Greenwich (CT) in the quarterfinal, the Cats went on to defeat Notre Dame de La Salette (IL).
In the Championship game against Herriman (UT), McGowan would hit the game-sealing penalty kick to push the score to 20-12 with just minutes remaining in the match. Fitting for the junior who started his career winning a Midwest Title on the same pitch as a freshman.
Coming into the 2026 season, McGowan is a Team Captain for the defending National Champions.
He will continue his academic and rugby career at the University of Chicago, a Division II program that was the runner-up in the National Championship in 2025.
Like
Henry Ferguson,
Michael McManamon began his lacrosse career at Saint Ignatius on the varsity level under, at the time, first-year Head Lacrosse Coach
Kyle Bernlohr.
From his first season with the Wildcats, it was evident that McManamon was going to become a perennial goal scorer. In the 2023 season, McManamon scored 23 goals, good for fourth-best on the team.
That season, the Wildcats would clinch a berth in the Final Four with a Regional Championship victory over Hudson.
In 2024, McManamon made the jump as a sophomore and became the Wildcats' top scorer, finishing with 50 goals. He also led the team in points with 77.
He scored a career-high five goals against St. Edward in the OHSAA Regional Semifinal.
McManamon would finish 2024 being named third-team All-Ohio.
The attackman would take another jump in his junior year, a season which saw the Wildcats clinch a berth in the OHSAA State Championship.
In 2025, McManamon would score a team-high 61 goals and 100 points. In the Regional Championship against Hoover, the number one-ranked team in the region. McManamon scored seven goals in a 16-12 win.
In his junior year, he earned second-team All-Ohio honors and was named Position Player of the Year.
McManamon has been voted Best Lacrosse Player in Cleveland by Cleveland.com. He has also been named a Stand Out Player of the Year three times.
Coming into his senior season in 2026, McManamon is a Team Captain for a Wildcat team primed for another State Championship run.
Shane O'Leary - University of Dayton (Football)
Football has been in the bloodstream of
Shane O'Leary since birth. Coming from a rich football tradition, as his father, Dan '96, is an Athletic Hall of Fame member.
O'Leary has been a member of the varsity squad since his sophomore season, earning three varsity letters over the course of his time at Saint Ignatius.
O'Leary took over the long snapping duties for the Wildcats after the graduation of three-year long snapper Alexander Shuran.
Coming into his senior season, O'Leary became the number one tight end option for the offense. The senior would come into the season listed 6'3, 222 pounds.
After dealing with an injury in his junior year, O'Leary was a workhorse in 2025, appearing in nine games. He was a terrific run-blocking tight end, but found himself as one of the top targets on the offense for
Jacob Mikin.
When all was said and done, O'Leary finished the 2025 season hauling in 27 passes for 287 yards. Near the end of the season, O'Leary became a focal point of the offense, opening the playbook for the Wildcats.
In the final five games of the Wildcats' 2025 season, O'Leary would haul in 20 passes for 222 yards, becoming a tremendous receiver option next to
Luke Simms and
Trey Haddad.
O'Leary will continue his academic and football career at the University of Dayton, a Division I program that competes in the FCS of the NCAA.
Jack Ragon - The Ohio State University (Volleyball)
Jack Ragon has been a staple of the Wildcat Volleyball program since his freshman season in 2023.
In just three seasons on the court for the Wildcats, Ragon has eclipsed 1,000 career kills.
As a freshman, Ragon finished the season with 341 Kills, 57 Aces, 129 Digs, and 34 blocks. It was the first season that volleyball was an OHSAA sport. After his freshman year, there was plenty of excitement about what was next for Ragon.
In 2024, the Wildcats would take a big leap, finishing the season 24-4, and clinching an appearance in the OHSAA State Championship game.
In the first 11 games of the 2024 season, the Wildcats would not drop a set. Ragon finished the season with 372 Kills, 46 Aces, 154 Digs, and 48 Blocks.
The Wildcats finished the season as a runner-up, the first in the OHSAA era.
After getting a taste of the State Championship match, the Wildcats were on a mission to get back to the Final.
In the 2025 season, the Wildcats finished with a 25-3 record. Ragon and company would sweep their way through the Region II bracket. They would get revenge against St. Xavier in the State Semifinal and face #1 Thomas Worthington in the State Title Match.
After trailing the fifth set 7-0, the Wildcats stormed back to win the set 15-13, winning the program's first OHSAA State Title.
Ragon will continue his academic and volleyball career at The Ohio State University.
Ragon has earned All-Ohio honors three times, two of them first-team, and was named the 2025 Regional Player of the Year.
In 2026, he is a finalist for the Cleveland Sports Commission's High School Athlete of the Year.
Nick Rivera - Air Force Academy (Football)
Lead by example. That has been
Nick Rivera's motto during his three years playing at the varsity level. That has earned Rivera an opportunity to continue his academic and football career at the Air Force Academy.
Rivera would earn his Paws and Stripes in the 2023 season as a sophomore. His role on the defense would elevate quickly, as he would earn a starting linebacker position.
Rivera would appear in the first four games of the season, but would be sidelined with an injury for the remainder. Despite the injury, he would collect 33 tackles in his first season on varsity.
Coming into the 2024 season, Rivera was an anchor for the linebackers. He led the defense in tackles with 93 and tackles for a loss with 10. His coaches would commend Rivera as a quiet player who let his play do the talking.
In his senior year for the Wildcats, Rivera would finish the season with 53 tackles, five going for a loss. Rivera would deal with an injury during his senior season, but came back and gave the defense a boost in the Regional First Round game against Perrysburg, collecting four tackles.
Rivera would finish his Wildcat football career with 179 total tackles. He would earn offers from Army, Cornell, and Dartmouth.
But Rivera would choose the Air Force Academy, joining the Falcons in Colorado. Rivera will be playing Division I football out of the Mountain West Conference.
Rivera joins one of the three major service academies, which include the Army and Navy, that compete for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy.
Rivera has left his impression on the young Wildcat linebacking corps.
Domenic Ruggiero - Cleveland State University (Soccer)
Domenic Ruggiero leaves Saint Ignatius as one of the best goal scorers of all-time in program history. Ruggiero will continue his academic and soccer career right down the road at Cleveland State University.
Ruggiero began his varsity career under Head Soccer Coach Mike McLaughlin in 2023, his sophomore season.
Early in his varsity career, Ruggiero was called upon in the biggest moments. In the 2023 State Championship against Moeller, Ruggiero would score on his kick that would help the Wildcats get past the Crusaders to win the title.
Ruggiero would follow up the State Champion season with another State Title after the Wildcats defeated St. Charles in double overtime.
Coming into his senior season, Ruggiero was named a Team Captain for the Wildcats. He would go on to lead Ohio in Division I with 31 goals (4th most in a season) and ranked second in assists with 16.
Ruggiero would finish his high school career with a 51-8-7. He leaves the program as the fifth all-time leading goal scorer with 64. His 17-game winners are tied for second in program history, and his 151 points rank him seventh.
After the 2025 season, Ruggiero was named to the United Soccer Coaches Association All-American game in Charleston, South Carolina. He also earned first-team All-Great Lakes honors.
Ruggiero was named Mr. Ohio for Soccer and Ohio Player of the Year by Cleveland.com and the Coaches Association.
Ruggiero will play soccer at the Division I level in a familiar place at Krenzler Field for Cleveland State. A program that plays out of the Horizon League. A program that won the conference a season ago.
Luke Simms - Kent State University (Football)
It was only a matter of time before a Division I program offered
Luke Simms. Simms will continue his academic and football career at Kent State University.
The future Golden Flash was a three-year varsity member of the Wildcats and a starter on offense for all three seasons.
As a sophomore, Simms was the second-leading receiver for the Wildcats, catching 18 passes for 299 yards, averaging 16.6 yards per reception.
In his junior season in 2024, Simms would record his first varsity touchdown at Cleveland Browns Stadium against the Avon Eagles on a 34-yard connection from
Daniel Chalhoub.
Simms would finish the 2024 season with an All-District honorable mention, totaling 324 yards on 19 receptions and two touchdowns. He also recorded a rushing touchdown.
As a senior, Simms remained one of the top targets in the Wildcat offense. There was a stretch in the 2025 season where Simms was the home run hitter. He would have 4 touchdown receptions of 50 or more yards, with his spotlight game coming against Riverside with 142 yards on five catches and two touchdowns.
Later in the season, Simms eclipsed 1,000+ yards receiving in his career.
After a hand injury, Simms would move to defensive back vs. St. Xavier. He would collect his first career interception against Perrysburg.
Simms finished his senior year with 447 yards on 26 receptions and five touchdowns and earned All-District honorable mention honors.
He'll continue to play at the Division I level for Kent State in the Mid-American Conference.
Jackson Sommer - Cleveland State University (Golf)
Jackson Sommer will continue his academic and golf career right down the road at Cleveland State University.
Sommer's path to making the top team for Saint Ignatius Golf took patience and a lot of work on his craft as he spent his freshman and sophomore years on the JV squad.
This did not deter Sommer, who put his head down and got to work as a team-first player for the Wildcats.
In his junior year, Sommer was named Saint Ignatius' Golf Jim Skerl #34 recipient and made the Varsity Blue team. In the 2025 season, Sommer would qualify for Sectionals, where the Wildcats would then make it to Districts.
Sommer would shoot a 70 and tied for runner-up at the District Tournament that lifted the Wildcats to a District Championship, punching their ticket to Columbus for the State Tournament.
Sommer would finish top-ten individually at the State Tournament, helping lead the Wildcats to a third-place finish as a team.
At the State Tournament at Firestone Country Club, Sommer would shoot a team-best 147, which was good for a ninth-place finish individually.
At the end of the 2025 season, Sommer earned second-team All-Ohio honors and was named Golfer of the Year by Cleveland.com.
Sommer would also be part of a program record, with a score of 278 on a Par 72 course, after shooting a 68 at Elyria Country Club.
Sommer will continue his golf career at the Division I level for the Vikings, which competes in the Horizon League. A program that has ten league titles. There have been notable Ignatius alumni who went on to have successful careers on the golf course at CSU.
Jayshon Thomas - Mercyhurst University (Football)
An ironman of the Wildcat Football program will continue his academic and football career at Mercyhurst University.
Jayshon Thomas began his varsity career in the 2023 season, playing in his first game against Springfield. In his debut, he would collect six tackles at his safety position.
As a sophomore, Thomas would lead the defense in tackles with 71. 6.5 of those tackles would go for a loss. He would also collect 1.5 sacks, two pass break-ups, and a forced fumble.
Coming into his junior season in 2024, Thomas' role continued to elevate as he played multiple positions on defense, showcasing his athleticism.
The safety would conclude his junior season with 69 tackles, second on the defense, and three tackles for a loss. He would also come away with his first career interception against Mentor in the OHSAA Regional First Round Tournament.
Thomas was named first team All-District by Cleveland.com after his junior year.
Coming into his senior season in 2025, Thomas would be named a Team Captain for the Wildcats. Thomas led the defense in tackles once again as he finished with 69, five of those going for a loss. He also recorded two interceptions and a team-high eight pass break-ups.
Thomas would finish his varsity career with an impressive 209 total tackles. He would again earn first-team All-District honors and be named second-team All-Ohio on defense.
Thomas would appear in 34 varsity games in his career.
He now heads to Mercyhurst University, a Division I FCS program that competes out of the Northeast Conference.
Samuel Trivisonno - The Ohio State University (Soccer)
The pipeline of Wildcat Soccer student-athletes to The Ohio State University continues, as Samuel Trivisonno will pursue his academic and soccer career with the Buckeyes.
Trivisonno was a three-year starter for Head Soccer Coach Mike McLaughlin. In his sophomore season in 2023, he would play alongside his brother, Nicholas.
The Wildcats would go on to win the State Championship against Moeller in 2023.
In the 2024 campaign, the Wildcats faced a scare in the OHSAA State Semifinal, heading to OT against the Olentangy Braves. With under three minutes to play in the first overtime, Trivisonno would walk it off with a goal that would send the Cats back to the State Championship game.
The Wildcats would win a sixth straight title with a 1-0 OT win over St. Charles Prep.
For the 2025 season, Trivisonno would be named a Team Captain. In his senior season, Trivisonno scored 22 goals and recorded five game-winners. His 15 assists are tied seventh all-time in a season.
Trivisonno would help lead the Wildcats to another State Championship berth at the end of the 2025 season.
He finishes his career wearing the Blue and Gold in the Top-Ten of scoring with 48 goals (tied for ninth). His 10-game winners are tied for 10th All-Time and finishes with 116 points, good for ninth all-time.
Trivisonno would be named to the All-American game in South Carolina and earned All-Ohio honors and first-team All-Greater Cleveland Conference honors.
He will join fellow teammate
Bryce Ince-Lovelace in Columbus for a nationally ranked Buckeyes team.
Andrew Uzl - Syracuse University (Rowing)
History was made for the Saint Ignatius Navy last summer as
Andrew Uzl and
Washington Chung qualified a boat for the United States Rowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, FL.
With Uzl's progression, it was no surprise that Syracuse University wanted to add him to its rowing roster.
At the Head of the Charles in 2023, Uzl would be part of a boat that finished 11th in the Nation. This would just be the start for Uzl.
In 2024, Uzl's boat would place 12th at the Head of the Charles. Both years, the team would compete with 90 other teams, achieving that ranking.
At the USRowing Youth Nationals in 2025, with Chung, Uzl would place ninth in the Nation.
In 2024, the Wildcats placed second at the SRAA National Championships.
Uzl also competes in the Varsity 8+ Boat with fellow teammate
Teddy Bryden. That boat was fast enough for a third-place finish at the Midwest Championships, which helped elevate the Wildcats to their fourth consecutive Midwest Championship.
With that finish, Uzl and company qualified the boat for the National Championships.
With Uzl competing at Youth Nationals, it was the first time in Wildcat Rowing history that rowers competed in the event.
Uzl will continue his academic and rowing career at Syracuse University. He will row under former Wildcat Navy Head Coach Connor Walters, who is the Orange's Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator.
Syracuse is a top-ranked Navy in the country.
Since 2023, the Wildcats have featured
Michael van der Oord on the offensive line. He will now continue his academic and football career at the University of Pittsburgh under Pat Narduzzi.
Van der Oord would start his high school football career learning from former Pro Bowl lineman LeCharles Bentley. He would go on to make his varsity debut against Springfield in the 2023 season.
Van der Oord came into his junior season in 2024 listed at 6'7, 270 pounds and earned a starting tackle position.
By the end of his junior year, van der Oord started to rack up Mid-American Conference offers. He would be named a three-star tackle by 247 Sports.
Coming into his senior season in 2025, van der Oord boasted offers from Toledo, Wake Forest, and West Virginia. But before the season began, van der Oord decided to commit to play for the Panthers in Pittsburgh.
At the end of the 2025 season, van der Oord would earn second-team All-District honors from Cleveland.com. At the conclusion of the high school football season, he would be named to the third-team All-Ohio offensive team.
Van der Oord was ranked the ninth overall offensive tackle by 247Sports.
He will head to Pittsburgh in the fall to play ACC Football for the Panthers. A program that has been revitalized in the past couple of seasons.
They will gain a 6'7, 280-pound tackle come the fall.
Declan Walters - Bellarmine University (Soccer)
Declan Walters was a three-year letter award winner, playing soccer for Mike McLaughlin.
Walters will continue his academic and soccer career at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky. Walters was a staple in the Wildcats' back line for two seasons.
He was a part of the 2023 OHSAA State Championship team that won a thriller in penalty kicks against Archbishop Moeller.
He would then earn a bigger role in his junior year as the Wildcats went on to win another State Championship after a game-winning goal in the closing seconds of overtime.
Coming into the 2025 season, Walters would be named a Team Captain for the Wildcats.
Walters was tremendous for the back line of the Wildcat defense in 2025. He would have 274 wins (88 in which were header wins). He would also play a total of 842 minutes on the pitch during his senior season.
Walters would also add an assist and one point to the offense during his senior season as a defenseman.
With his play, Walters would earn first-team All-Greater Cleveland. He would also earn Academic All-Ohio honors in the classroom.
Soccer has been a part of Walters' life since he was four, and he will continue to play the sport he loves for the Knights in the fall. Bellarmine is a Division I program that competes in the Atlantic Sun Conference. They will gain a key defenseman in Walters.
Marcello Woodberry - The Ohio State University (Football)
The start of
Marcello Woodberry's rugby career began in his freshman year when his brother, Roscoe, decided to pick up the sport.
Now, Woodberry will continue his academic and rugby career at The Ohio State University.
The story of Woodberry's progression is great. In his first two seasons, Woodberry would gain experience in the JV system, learning and understanding the sport.
One of Woodberry's key decisions that he reflects on was the choice to join the Wildcat wrestling program. While wrestling in the winter of 2024-25, Woodberry improved the technique that helped him on the rugby pitch.
The 2025 season would be a year to remember for Woodberry. He would start the year playing for Varsity Blue, but by the end of the season, he would be a key piece on Varsity Gold, which would win a National Championship.
Woodberry made his first a-side start against Gonzaga (DC) in April of his junior year. He showcased his skills to the coaches, which elevated his playing time.
In the National Championship match against Herriman (UT), Woodberry would earn MVP honors with his tremendous play from his forward position in what was a defensive battle.
The Wildcats would go on to win the Rugby Ohio State Championship, and after the victory over St. Edward, the coaches announced that Woodberry would be representing Team USA in Argentina and Uruguay as he was named to the U18 team.
He will play Division I Rugby for the Buckeyes in the fall. But before heading to Columbus, he will look to help defend the Wildcats' State and National Championship.
Congratulations to all of our signees who will be representing the Blue and Gold at the next level. All of our student-athletes have left their mark on the campus of Saint Ignatius High School.
National Signing Day Booklet
Gallery: (2-5-2026) 2026 National Signing Day
