Schools

Conard Football Captains Head to First Choice Colleges Next Fall

All four senior captains from Conard's 2012 football team received early acceptance at their first choice schools.

This is the time of year when most high school seniors in West Hartford and throughout the country are anxiously awaiting congratulatory emails or thick envelopes in the mailbox signifying acceptance into college.

For the four captains of Conard's 2012 football team that anxiety has been replaced by "relief and relaxation," as all received positive answers from their top choice schools through early action or early decision applications.

Three of the four will be playing college football at their top choice schools as well.

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Owen Snyder applied early decision, and will head to Union College in Schenectady, NY in the fall. Snyder started as quarterback for Conard his junior and senior years, but said he will likely play safety for Union.

Michael Fisher said that St. Lawrence University has been "my number one choice for a long time." He visited the campus, located about 15 miles from the Canadian border, last summer and decided to apply early decision.

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"The football staff wanted him badly," said Conard head coach Rob Cersosimo. Fisher hopes to play offensive lineman, which was his position at Conard.

Sean Carniero has watched multiple football games at Springfield College. He'll be seeing more beginning this fall, but from a different perspective. Carniero was admitted to his top choice school where he will "probably play strong safety" on the football team.

The fourth captain, Owen Dawson, also received early admission to his top choice college. Although Dawson will not play football at Division I powerhouse University of Michigan, the all-conference shot putter may have the opportunity to participate in track and field. Dawson grew up in the Ann Arbor area, and has been interested in attending the University of Michigan for years.

The consensus among all four seniors, and their advice to underclassmen is: "If you concentrate on your academics, you'll do well."

"All four captains completely deserve this recognition," said Cersosimo. "They are awesome young men and will represent their colleges as well as they have represented Conard High School."

"I couldn't be prouder," Cersosimo said.

Most of Conard's former captains have continued to play football at the collegiate level, said Cersosimo, and he believes that attention to academics has been a key factor in that success.

"In all of my years at Conard, we have had a National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete every year but one. That's a great way to be judged," he said. The award recipients for this year have not yet been announced.

Cersosimo also said he is excited that the Town Planning and Zoning Commission approved the application to add permanent lighting to both Conard and Hall stadiums.

"It will be exciting to have Friday night games," he said.


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