HHS athletes announce college commitments

by Hopkinton Independent | Nov 26, 2024 | Featured: Sports, Sports

Bound for Boston University, soccer player Nina Tzouganatos (middle) is joined by sisters Alexia (left) and Sophia, along with parents Julie and Arthur. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Hopkinton High School on Friday hosted a signing day ceremony to celebrate seven student-athletes who plan to continue their careers at the NCAA Division 1 or 2 level. The list of Hillers who will be competing at the next level includes athletes from five different sports.

Madison Recupero is committed to play soccer at Princeton after a high school and club soccer career that has included All-America honors along with All-New England recognition and a host of other accolades.

Her teammate, Nina Tzouganatos, will play at Boston University. Described by her coach as the “quarterback of the team,” Tzouganatos has been a stellar holding midfielder for the Hillers.

Tzouganatos said she is looking forward to developing her skills to be able to compete at the Division 1 level. She plans to study biology on a pre-med track at BU.

“I love the school,” she said. “It has great academics, and the team is just great. It was a perfect fit between school and soccer, and I couldn’t think of a better place to continue playing and going to school.”

Swimmer Maya Weil-Meggison is heading to Bentley University in Waltham. A four-year varsity swimmer at HHS, Weil-Meggison has seven years of club swimming experience as well.

Assumption College’s lacrosse team will welcome Hopkinton senior Nate Burns. A two-sport standout who has been a member of the HHS football team as well, Burns is a mainstay in goal for the lacrosse team.

Burns said Assumption checked all the boxes for him, with a picturesque campus close to home, a strong lacrosse team and a business program.

“It had everything I was looking for,” he said.

The signing day was the culmination of not only the recruiting process but also the work he has put in on and off the field to have the chance to play at the next level.

“It was really special to be able to celebrate that moment with my family and the other committed student-athletes,” Burns said.

Baseball players Dylan Ruff and Nick Pedroli both signed their respective letters of intent. Ruff will attend Saint Anselm and has been extolled by his high school coaches as a star and an exceptionally athletic middle infielder. He led the team in runs batted in last spring and hit north of .400 on the season. Pedroli will play for Bentley. During his junior season last spring, the center fielder hit .436 and only struck out three times in 64 plate appearances heading into the regular season’s final week.

Rounding out the group is softball standout Holly Paharik, who will play at Boston College. A two-time captain, Paharik achieved a rare feat last spring when she reached 100 hits for her career in her junior season.

“Hopkinton congratulates these student-athletes and looks forward to seeing their success at the collegiate level,” the school said in a statement.

More Hopkinton athletes will be announcing their college plans next spring. The HHS Athletic Department is scheduled to hold a recognition day in April for student-athletes who will be playing at the Division 3 level.

Soccer player Maddie Recupero (right) is joined by her father, William, as she confirms her commitment to Princeton. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Nick Pedroli (left) signs his commitment to Bentley University baseball alongside brother Matt, mom Kristen Pedroli Pierce and stepfather John Pierce. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Saint Anselm-bound baseball player Dylan Ruff (left) is joined by his mother, Melissa. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Maya Weil-Meggison (middle), who will swim at Bentley University, is flanked by mother Aimee, dad Ryan and (in back, from left) brother Austin, grandmother Andrea Jasper and brother Caleb. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO