By Bernie Puchalski - March 15, 2021
Alissa Mete is the definition of a multi-sport athlete.
The Grade 12 student at Welland Notre Dame qualified for Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championships in swimming, track and field, cross country and field lacrosse, and was part of a Pelham Panthers under-19 squad that placed second in the championship round of Basketball Ontario playdowns.
The 17-year-old Welland resident had a number of pathways to pursue a post secondary athletic career but ultimately chose running. That decision was validated recently when Mete signed a letter of intent to run for NCAA Division 1 Niagara University in Lewiston, N.Y.
“We are incredibly excited to have Alissa commit to Niagara University. Alissa is, of course, a very accomplished athlete who will bring a distinguished running resume with her, but we know she’ll bring so much more,” said Christine Kloiber, Niagara’s head coach of cross country and outdoor track and field. “During our discussions, it was always very clear that Alissa possesses a thoughtful maturity and purpose in her direction which communicated a composure and character that would enrich any team she chose to be a part of. We’re so thrilled she felt NU was a best fit for her and are looking forward to welcoming her to the Purple Eagle family.”
Mete was delighted to signed with Niagara.
“It was a real exciting experience,” she said. “It was always a dream of mine to go away to a D1 school and be able to run there. When I got the opportunity to go to Niagara, it just seemed like the perfect fit.”
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Congratulations to IRISH student-athlete Emily Foest, a two-time Canadian National Volleyball Champion on signing with Brock University to further her education and compete for the Badgers.
By Bill Potrecz - February 4, 2021
Sophia Belcastro found her perfect fit at Robert Morris.
The 17-year-old, Grade 12 student at Notre Dame has committed to attend the NCAA Division 1 university, located just outside of Pittsburgh, where she will play soccer and major in business management.
“I was talking to some other schools in Canada and the States but I always knew Robert Morris was where I wanted to be for both the academic and athletic offerings,” Belcastro said. “It’s a top business school and I like the fact it’s close — it’s only four hours away so my family and friends can come and watch me play.”
Belcastro has long dreamed of playing at the university level.
“It’s definitely a huge accomplishment to play Division 1,” she said. “It’s feels surreal, especially given this year’s challenges with the border lockdown and closures and cancelled showcases.
“I’m excited for a new coach, new conference and new beginning and I’m excited about this new chapter in my life. I am fortunate have such great teammates who push me to be better each and every training session both at Empire Niagara and Notre Dame girls soccer.”
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December 29, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Last week, the Premier of Ontario announced that beginning December 26, the province would enter a period of additional public health restrictions and protocols to help curb the spread of COVID-19. One of these protocols is related to schools and requires all publicly funded and private elementary and secondary schools to move to teacher-led remote learning on January 4, 2021.
Classes resume for students across Niagara Catholic on Monday, January 4, 2021.
Virtual Elementary and Secondary Schools
Students who attend the Virtual elementary and secondary schools will continue as they did prior to the Christmas break. There are no changes to the Virtual schedule.
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By Bernie Puchalski - December 18, 2020
When you’re an athletic, 6-foot-8 volleyball player, the world is your oyster.
By the start of her Grade 10 school year at Notre Dame, the scholarship offers had started to pour in for Anna Smrek.
“There were a lot of teams from the Pac-12 Conference and all the teams in the Big 10 Conference,” the 17-year-old Welland native said.
By the end of Grade 10, Smrek has verbally committed to Wisconsin.
“There was no pressure at all. I had had some previous offers and stuff but I was taking my time. I didn’t want to rush anything because that is not something you should automatically be able to make a decision on unless your heart is really set on it.”
The Madison, Wis., school quickly became near and dear to her heart after first visiting the school with her parents, Mike and Sonya, and later going on an official visit.
“That kind of confirmed things even more how much I loved the school,” she said. “It was everything. The academics were amazing, the coaches were amazing and I loved the whole family aspect. I felt at home there and that is honestly the most important thing when you are moving away for the next four years.”
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