College Signings for 4-2

Leroy Boyer, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
·5 min read

Apr. 1—Ava Peel, Lebanon Valley

Name: Ava Peel

High School: Blue Mountain High School

College Attending: Lebanon Valley College

Sport athlete will be playing in college: Basketball

Parents' Names: Jeff and Michelle Peel

Hometown: Deer Lake

Athletic Honors: Peel was a two-sport standout for the Eagles, excelling in basketball and softball. She was a four-year letterwinner in basketball, starting for three seasons and serving as team captain for two. She helped the Eagles reach the Schuylkill League semifinals this season and was a freshman on Blue Mountain's District 11 Class 5A championship squad in 2020. She was a three-year letterwinner and three-year starter in softball, helping the Eagles win the 2022 Schuylkill League Division I title and reach the league final.

Academic Honors: Peel is a member of the National Honor Society and the English, History, Math and World Language subject honor societies. She's an Aevidum Committee leader, a Mini-Thon Committee leader and a member of the International Club, Varsity Club and Homecoming Court. Peel serves as an intern at Phoenix Physical Therapy in Orwigsburg.

Planned Major of Study: Doctorate in Physical Therapy

Andrew Rautzhan, RIT

Name: Andrew Rautzhan

High School: Blue Mountain High School

College Attending: Rochester Institute of Technology

Sport athlete will be playing in college: Baseball

Parents' Names: Greg and Denise Rautzhan

Hometown: Orwigsburg

Athletic Honors: Rautzhan is a four-year member of the Eagles' baseball team, helping Blue Mountain reach the Schuylkill League championship game the past two seasons and win the 2022 overall league title. Primarily a third baseman, "Dewey" was a Republican Herald All-Area first-team pick in 2022 as the Eagles were the District 11 Class 4A runners-up and qualified for the PIAA Class 4A Tournament. Rautzhan was also a four-year member of the Blue Mountain golf team and played on the basketball team his freshman and sophomore years.

Academic Honors: Rautzhan is a class vice president of the Student Council. He's a member of the Science Honor Society, Phi Sigma, Mini-Thon Committee and Senior Planning Committee.

Planned Major of Study: Finance

Nick Nestico, Seton Hill

Name: Nick Nestico

High School: Mount Carmel Area High School

College Attending: Seton Hill University

Sport athlete will be playing in college: Football

Parents' Names: Victor and Suzie Nestico

Hometown: Kulpmont

Athletic Honors: Nestico was a four-year starter and two-year captain for the Red Tornadoes as an offensive and defensive lineman, helping Mount Carmel reach back-to-back District 4 Class AA title games and compile a 22-4 mark the past two seasons. An offensive guard, Nestico earned Republican Herald All-Area first-team honors as a junior and senior, earned PAFootballNews.com Coaches Select first-team Class AA All-State honors the past two seasons and was named to the PAFootballNews.com All-Academic Gold Team. Nestico was named as an offensive lineman to the East squad for the Titan Threadz Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association Small-School East/West Game that will be played May 21 at Bishop McDevitt High School. In addition to football, Nestico plays basketball, baseball and track and field at Mount Carmel.

Academic Honors: Nestico is a member of the National Honor Society and National Athletic Society. He has maintained a 4.0 grade-point average in his classes and ranks in the top 10 percent in his class. He participated in the Advance College Experience Program and maintained a 3.8 GPA while attending classes through Bloomsburg University. In the community, Nestico was a student leader for Think Big, helping raise money for Pediatric Cancer. He worked as a volunteer with his church, Holy Angels Catholic Church in Kulpmont, is a news reporter for Mount Carmel's TV station, WKMC TV, and was a volunteer coach with several youth sports camps.

Planned Major of Study: Sports Management / Business

Garrett Varano, Bloomsburg

Name: Garrett Varano

High School: Mount Carmel Area High School

College Attending: Bloomsburg University

Sport athlete will be playing in college: Football

Parents' Names: Rob and Lisa Varano

Hometown: Mount Carmel

Athletic Honors: Varano was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter for the Red Tornadoes, helping Mount Carmel reach back-to-back District 4 Class AA title games and compile a 22-4 mark the past two seasons. A wide receiver/defensive back, Nestico earned Republican Herald All-Area first-team honors as a senior and was named to the Pennsylvania Football Writers Class AA and PAFootballNews.com Coaches Select first-team Class AA All-State teams. He joins brother Robert and sisters Ali and Nicole as Varano family members to earn All-State honors. Varano was selected to the East squad for the Titan Threadz Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association Small-School East/West Game that will be played May 21 at Bishop McDevitt High School. In addition to football, Varano also excelled in basketball and track and field at Mount Carmel.

Academic Honors: Varano is a member of the National Honor Society and National Athletic Society. He participated in the Advance College Experience Program and attended classes through Bloomsburg University. In the community, Varano is a member of the Latin Club, Future Teachers of America and volunteers at his church, Hope Community in Mount Carmel.

Planned Major of Study: Pre-Law / Business

(Information for college signings is submitted by the student-athlete and his/her respective school. To obtain a form, contact Sports Editor Leroy Boyer via email at Lboyer@republicanherald.com)