Local athletes sign with college programs

High School Sports Local athletes sign with college programs By Staff report November 13, 2026 2 min read Staff file photo / Dan Hiner Canfield pitcher Anthony Groner delivers during the second inning of Division IV district final against University School at North Ridgeville on May 28. Trending Mahoning Valley athletes from across several sports took their first step toward extending their athletic careers on Wednesday. It was signing day for future college athletes that are not competing in football. A few local standouts will make their way to downtown Youngstown. Boardman volleyball's Maya Flores, Warren JFK girls soccer's Andrea Ryan and Poland boys golf's Angelo Rinaldi all signed with YSU. Austintown Fitch softball sent Kaliana Ray to a Power Four program, as she signed with Louisville. Canfield's Anthony Groner also signed with a Power Four program, as he signed to continue his baseball career at Purdue. Groner was one of six Cardinal athletes to sign. Canfield baseball also had Joey Gabriel sign with Division-II Seton Hill, the school's boys lacrosse team had JJ Boris pick D-II University of Indianapolis and Max Flesher chose Davis & Elkins College, Jace Riccardo of the boys basketball team picked D-II West Liberty and volleyball's Ashtyn Hanousek will make the roughly hour drive to D-II Slippery Rock in the future. Ursuline's Jaylen Gunther locked up his commitment to Miami (Ohio), and teammate Noah Bell will play at D-II Hillsdale College. The Fighting Irish also saw Kennedy Carpenter continue her basketball career at D-II Malone. East Palestine will get to follow Braydon Plum with the Robert Morris track and field program. Boardman had an additional signing, with Mikayla Rivera taking the diamond for D-II Gannon softball. JFK also had Maylee Nadaud signed with D-II Ohio Dominican to extend her soccer career. DIVISION III There were also a pair of Division III prospects that made their decisions on Wednesday. Warren JFK's Katie Andre will play for the Thiel College women's soccer team, and Poland's Jonathan Aikens will continue his golf career at Hiram. EDITOR'S NOTE: If there were any athletes from local schools that did not have their signing listed above, please send the student-athlete's name, sport and college selection to [email protected]. Due to multiple signing days throughout the NCAA calendar, the signing will run in a future college signing story.