In high school, less than 7% of student-athletes continue their respective sports in college at any level, D1, D2, D3, Norwalk High has gathered ten athletes during this school year who have committed to continue. With this, less than 2% continue to play at the NCAA D1 level, but four of the ten college commits are off to the D1 level, being a part of the 2% of all high school athletes.
Over the 2024-25 school year, Norwalk High’s athletes have been chasing their goals and committing to colleges for their respective sports. During the 2023-24 school year, two athletes committed, Kaelyn Fogelson 25′ to Fairfield University for Field Hockey, and Keira Gilchrist 25′ to Le Moyne for Lacrosse. In the first semester of the current 2024-25 year a total of seven athletes have committed to schools of all divisions. Of the athletes, two are in the Class of 2026, Kate Fedor who has committed to Penn State for swim, and Wyatt Vitello, who committed to Texas A&M for swimming. Another Field Hockey commit from Norwalk is Avery Vacarro 25′, who is committing to Southern Connecticut State University. Norwalk High’s Baseball team is sending off two athletes to continue their careers with Chase DePalma 25′ to Virginia Wesleyan and Antwan Cardona 25′ to Franklin Pierce University. The last of the spring athletes, two, are off for softball, Maddie Collins is off to Ithaca, and Maddy Yusi is off to Wheaton College. Lastly, although rowing isn’t a high school sport, Luis Palomeque is off to La Salle for Men’s Rowing.
Here are the Bears who have committed:
Kaelyn Fogelson committed to Fairfield University after her junior season. She was a four-year varsity starter and senior captain on the Norwalk High Field Hockey earning four-time All-State and four-time All-FCIAC. Over the,e years Kaelyn was a starting center forward each year, scoring many goals and being a key player to the program.
Avery Vaccaro is also committed to playing field hockey at Southern Connecticut State University. She was a 3-year varsity starter for the Norwalk High team and a captain during her senior year. Avery during her time on the team played defense/mid and will continue in college. She was recognized during the 2024 season with Second Team All-FCIAC.
During her junior year, Kate Fedor committed to swim at Penn State, a BIG, D1 program. Although Kate doesn’t swim for the NorMac Swim and Dive program for the girls, she swims club and has built her accolades through various meets, including competing at national level meets.
Also during his junior year, Wyatt Vitello committed to Texas A&M, a D1 program for swimming. Wyatt swims for his club team, Zeus, not for the NorMac Boys swim & dive team, but has been competing in national-level meets.
Maddy Yusi committed to Wheaton College to play softball early in her senior year. She has been a varsity starter for her 3 seasons on the team and will continue during her final season. Maddy was named junior captain, along with others during the last spring season. She has been a major part of the program, starting each season, leading the lineup off, and adjusting to different positions.
Recently, Maddie Collins committed to Ithaca College to play softball. She has been a starting pitcher for each of her seasons with the Norwalk High Softball program. Maddie was also named captain during her junior year and has been a key player on the team during her 3 seasons.
For baseball, Chase DePalma announced his commitment to Virginia Wesleyan University early in the school year. Chase has been a part of Norwalk High Baseball’s Varsity roster since his freshman year. He has been a starting pitcher since his sophomore year and will continue into his senior season.
Also for baseball, Antwan Cardona committed to Franklin Pierce. He will also be a 4-year varsity member for the Norwalk High Baseball team during his senior season, and a 3-year starter respectively as well. Antwan plays second base on the field and has been a key player in the team’s performance on the field since his sophomore year.
During her junior year, Keira Gilchrist committed to Le Moyne for lacrosse. Starting since her freshman year, Keira plays all over the field, but mainly attacks for the Norwalk High Girls Lacrosse team. Going into her senior season she will be a 4-year varsity member and starter, making her a key player in the team’s performance.
Luis Palomeque has committed to La Salle, a D1 program for Men’s Rowing. Norwalk High does not have a program, but Luis has been training through Norwalk River Rowing to get to have the opportunity in college.
