Last month, two South Windsor High athletes signed their national letters of intent.

Next fall, Kyle Foley will attend Sacred Heart University and play lacrosse, and Graeden Sartoris will attend Southern Connecticut State University where he will be a member of the swim team.
"We are certainly proud of both young men and their accomplishments here at South Windsor High School both in the classroom and on the field," said SWHS Athletic Director Dave Sytulek. "We look forward to hearing great things about them both in the near future."

The students were relieved to sign their letters and are eager to begin the next phase of their lives, they said.

"It gives you that extra confidence to know where you'll be playing and knowing for sure what school you'll go to and the financial part is all set," Foley said.

Foley said he has played lacrosse since he was in the second grade. He also plays soccer and is a diver.

The midfielder will join his older brother, Brendan, who also plays lacrosse at Sacred Heart.

"It's going to be great to be on the same team," Foley said. "We're really like best friends."

Foley had advice for any high school athletes that want to play in college.

"Keep your grades up, express your interest in signing a letter of intent to your coaches early, be a mature young adult, and have fun," Foley said.

Sartoris has been involved with swimming since he was 11. From the time his mother, a swimmer herself, signed him up for the parks and recreation team, he took the sport seriously, he said.

"I love it," Sartoris said. "I am so glad I did it. If I didn't do it I, for sure, would have regretted it."

His events include the 200 and 500 freestyles.

Sartoris said he was glad that he made so many friends, who he said will be life-long, while on the SWHS men's swim team.

He recalled being a young freshman and looking up to the seniors on the swim team and wishing to be like them. He said the shared the same attitude and mindset as them.

"Anything is possible," he explained. "If you put the work in, really want it, you'll get. I really believe that; it's a life lesson. No matter what anyone says – mom, friends, dad, grandparents anyone – if you believe it, you can do it."