The Gunston School is pleased to announce that five members of the class of 2024 have signed their letters of intent to play sports at the college level. At a recent signing ceremony this past Thursday, January 17, students and their families along with coaches and faculty gathered in the Alice R. Ryan Family Library to celebrate their accomplishments. Nationwide, a little over 7% of high school athletes (about 1 in 13) go on to play a varsity sport in college and less than 2% of high school athletes (1 in 57) go on to play at NCAA Division I schools.

 

Sophia Kent of Millington, Md., will be playing field hockey for St. Mary’s College of Maryland. With more than 300 saves in her Gunston career, Kent’s presence on the field is formidable. “Sophia has been a driving force to our winning seasons these past four years and getting us to the ESIAC Conference Finals the last two seasons,” said Gunston Head Coach Yvonne Gazelle. “She reads the field and coaches her teammates on how to best win the ball back, or score a goal and helps defense assist her in keeping the balls out of our goal.” 

 

Kent was the team’s MVP for three years, serving as its Captain this past fall. Additionally, she earned Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) All Conference for three years. She represented Gunston at the Field Hockey Coaches Association of Maryland’s (FHCAMD) All-Senior Game and the Eastern Shore North vs. South Game and made FHCAMD’s All Mid-Shore Field Hockey team in 2022 and 2023. Kent’s athletic abilities extend beyond field hockey, also earning ESIAC All Conference for Lacrosse in 2023 and 2022 and ESIAC All Conference Honorable Mention for Basketball in 2022. 

 

Jonah Smith of Stevensville, Md., will be playing lacrosse for Flagler College. Smith is in the top five of Heron Athletics history for 199 saves in a single season, an average of about 15-16 saves per game. “Jonah is the youngest of the Smith family athletes who have graced the field sports of Gunston,” explains Head Coach Millicent Sheets, Gunston’s Math Department Chair and Smith’s advisor. As Captain his junior year, Smith earned ESIAC All Conference as well as MVP. He has also played basketball (ESIAC All Conference 2023 and 2022) and soccer for Gunston.

“He's a humble leader who holds himself to a high standard and challenges those around him to do the same,” said Ms. Sheets. This past summer, he was named to the Under Armour All America Baltimore Team. He was one of two goalies from Maryland who were chosen to play in a national tournament.

Samantha Keith of Edgewater, Md., will be rowing for Sacred Heart University. “Sam has worked incredibly hard to be a competitive athlete,” explains Assistant Athletic Director for Waterfront Athletics and Head Crew Coach Natalie Reading ’16. “She not only always looks for ways to improve, but also implements those things, using her time outside of practice for long hours of training and finding programs to row with over the summer. This hard work has paid off, as during my time coaching Sam she has won the women's varsity 4 race at the Hidden River Chase Regatta, and earned first place in both the women’s varsity 4 and women’s varsity 8 races at the Maryland State Championships. 

Kate Porter of Easton, Md., will be rowing for St. Joseph’s University. “Kate is a natural leader,” said Coach Reading ’16, “With her role as a captain, Kate and I spend a good bit of time chatting and she always brings fresh ideas on ways to improve different aspects of the team. She has continued to pour into the program, becoming a great guide for our novice class of rowers - even volunteering to help teach them on and off the water. Kate’s commitment to the team has not only provided her with the opportunity to be a part of a Division 1 program, but has also earned her three gold medals in the past two years at the Hidden River Chase Regatta and the Maryland State Championships. I hope her journey at Saint Joseph’s is filled with growth, success and the same spirit of camaraderie that has defined her time as a coxswain.” 

Aiden Dunlap of Chestertown, Md., will be playing basketball for Bard College. Dunlap joined Gunston his junior year and immediately made an impression on the courts, earning an ESIAC All Conference Honorable Mention for Basketball in 2023. Previously, Dunlap played on the Runnin' Mavericks Basketball, a travel basketball program based in Annapolis. Head Coach Dontaye White commented, “In all of my years of training, Aidan has displayed more drive and dedication than anyone. His parents are owed a debt of gratitude for entrusting his athletic growth to me, and I have grown to love this young man as if he were one of my own. I firmly believe that Aidan will achieve all that he sets his mind to in life, and Bard University is just the beginning.”

####

The Gunston School Athletics Program has 20 interscholastic teams, as well as several recreational athletic offerings. Founded in 1911, The Gunston School is an independent, nonprofit, nonsectarian, coeducational, college preparatory high school located on 75 waterfront acres in Centreville, Maryland.