Riders Sign Letters of Intent, Continue To Next Level
On Tuesday afternoon three Ichabod Crane student athletes signed their National Letters of Intent to continue their athletic and academic careers at the next level. Casey Rutkey, Madison Saccento, and Joey Werner will all be playing Collegiate sports next year.
Joey Werner is a senior at Ichabod Crane who shines on and off the basketball court. Werner signed his letter of intent on Tuesday to play Division III Basketball at SUNY Canton next year where he will be majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Werner was a 3-year starter on the Varsity basketball team and a captain in his Junior and Senior years. He was the MVP of the Rensselaer High School Tip-Off Tournament, and the MVP of the Holiday at the Hill Maple Hill Tournament this year. Joey began his basketball career in the third grade when he began playing for St. John’s CYO. He continued on to play AAU for Uncle Sam’s Hoopsters until his Sophomore year. He then began playing for TEAM 518 Blue most recently. Joe has been on High Honor Roll every quarter since 6th grade, and as inducted into the National Honors Society his Junior year.
Madison Saccento signed her letter of intent to play Division II Softball at Mercy College where she will be majoring in Exercise Science/Physical Therapy. She was a key part of the 2015 New York State Class B State Championship team. Madison is a 5-year starter on the Varsity Softball team at shortstop. She was named first team All-Conference, first team Times Union Small School All-Star and won the NYSPHSAA Finals Sportsmanship Award in 2016. Madison was also a 3-year starter on the Varsity soccer team. Madison began playing softball at the age of 6 when she played Northern Columbia Little League. She went on to play travel softball for Northern Columbia Chaos, Electric City Bombers, and Nightmare Gold travel softball team. Madison has been on the High Honor Roll consistently and as a Junior was inducted into the National Honors Society.
Casey Rutkey signed his letter of intent to play Division III Baseball at Western New England University where he will be majoring in Sports Management. Casey has had much success as a baseball player over the course of his career. In Little League Casey won back to back District 15 titles. He played in the National World Series in Battle Creek, Michigan as a 13-year old with the Tri-City Bombers. He won the Joe Bruno Fall Classic in 2015 with the Columbia Clippers. He also made back to back sectional appearances with the Ichabod Crane Riders. Casy has played Varsity baseball since his Freshman year. Casey was named a Colonial Council 2nd Team All-Star after posting a 3-0 record, throwing 25 innings with a 1.70 ERA. Over this past summer Casey played for the Adirondack Heat Travel Baseball team. Casey was outstanding posting a 5-0 record, a 0.43 ERA, while striking out 40 and only walking 9. Casey also played Varsity Basketball, is a member of the Varsity Club, has volunteered at baseball camp for several years, and was inducted into the National Honors Society as a Senior this past Fall.
The Upstate Sports Zone team and myself would like to wish these athletes continued success and good luck in their Collegiate careers!
