Get to know the Ridgefield athletes who signed letters of intent on Tuesday

Ridgefield High School held a Signing Day ceremony in the school’s auditorium Tuesday for three senior athletes to cement their pledge to play college athletics.

Chris Kane signed to play baseball at Ocean County College. Max Ycaza, who spent parts of the last two seasons at Wyoming Seminary, signed with LIU Post for football and Taylor Semeraro followed in her sister’s footsteps to play softball at Stockton.

NorthJersey.com was invited to attend the proceedings and spent time with each athlete discussing their decision and their future plans.

Max Ycaza: “It was a journey.”

What are you thinking right now?

I am just excited. I found a good school for me to go and play Division 1 football. I am excited.

You had quite the the high school journey.

It was a journey. We had a team my sophomore year here when they brought football back on its own for a while. It was mainly freshman and sophomores. We had two seniors. It was difficult to play. Our record was terrible. We went 0-6. But it was an experience. The co-op definitely helped. They won the league championship.

Where else did you look?

I had offers from Monmouth, Navy offered me recently and Rhode Island, but I picked Long Island University because they are super close to me. They are not too far and the opportunity that I have there is good. I just see that school as the best fit for me.

How hard was it to choose?

Well, my mom didn’t want me to go to the Navy (smiles). It was not hard. I like the coaching staff there a lot. They already treat me like I am there.

Where do you think you can contribute?

Definitely as a running back. 100 percent. I am super excited for college. I have been working really hard the past couple of months since I got back, and it paid off.

What do you want to study?

I am going in Undecided, but I am thinking about business.

Chris Kane: “I want to have fun and get better.”

What was the decision process like?

I looked at a couple of schools, but I feel like I would have the best opportunity at Ocean to really play. They have what I want to major in for school and I feel like its a good starting point to go to like a JUCO and then if I want to go to a 4-year school after I can.

What major do they have that you’re interested in?

I want to become a police officer after, so criminal justice or emergency management is what I want to do.

How did they sell themselves to you?

Laughs. They beat a nationally ranked team last year and one of the first things I got when I was interested. It had a packet. I think they beat Cumberland. When I went there for my visits, their players were all nice and friendly. That’s what I am looking for. I want to have fun. I want to play obviously, and get better.

Where do you think you can contribute?

Well, there first baseman is leaving. That leaves room for me. I think I am a solid first baseman. I trust that I can help the team win games.

You’ve been playing baseball for a very long time…

Probably since I could walk.

To have the chance to play, whether its Division 1 or junior college, to have a chance to play college baseball has to feel good.

When I was kid, I obviously wanted to play in MLB, and as I got older I realized that may not happen. But college, that’s the goal after high school to play in college and keep playing as long as I can. They’re good at sending kids to four-year colleges after and that kind of factored in.

Taylor Semeraro: “It felt like home to me.”

When did you make your decision?

I actually made it about two months ago. I was looking at Sacred Heart, Cedar Crest and Rowan.

What do you want to study?

I want to study anthropology and sociology.

What sold you on Stockton?

I have been their multiple times because my sister went there and I loved the campus since the beginning it felt like home to me. It’s not too far away from the city, but it’s not too close and its close to home. It was the perfect place for me really.

How good are they?

They are doing pretty well in the NJAC right now. I know they just beat Kean.

Where do you think you can help?

I am hoping I can come in and start my first year because there is already a catcher there. We will have a competition, but I am hoping I can contribute, or at least hit for the team.

You have probably been playing softball for a very long time.

(smiles) Very very long.

So how satisfying is it to get to this moment.

I am very happy. I never thought I would be playing in college. Toward the end of my summer travel ball I wasn’t getting a lot of college attention and so I was doubting myself. COVID definitely messed up a lot of recruiting, but Stockton had seen me ever since I was an eighth grader.

How far is it from home?

Probably an hour and 45 minutes.

Woods out there though.

It’s ok. I am fine with that. I like the woods.

There are no woods in Ridgefield.

No…not that many (laughs).

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Ridgefield NJ: Get to know the athletes who signed college offers