Wednesday, November 13th starts a time of celebration for many of the nation’s top senior high school athletes. That date marks the beginning of the NCAA Division I and Division II signing period for most sports, save for basketball and football. At Camden High School, four exceptional student-athletes had the opportunity to partake in the celebration as the Camden Central School District held its Fall Athletics Signing Ceremony.
A crowd of family, friends, coaches, media, and other well-wishers looked on as student-athletes Lyla Robertson, Ryen Lago, Kendall Musch, and Camryn Shenk put ink to paper to secure their commitment to their respective colleges and athletic programs. In the eyes of athletic director Josh Mazzaferro, that’s not a moment to be taken lightly.
“It’s an incredible journey that has brought them here,” Mazzaferro said. “It’s the result of sacrifice, discipline, and a deep passion for the game. It’s also a testament to their character, determination to pursue their dreams, and their ability to balance academics, athletics, and personal growth.”
The quartet certainly holds a significant place in Blue Devil athletics history. All four were part of the field hockey program’s Section III Championship in 2023, and two were part of the 2024 softball team that captured the program’s first Section III Championship. It likely comes as no surprise that the group will be split equally between the two sports at the next level.
Defensive mainstays Robertson and Lago will continue their field hockey careers at Division II Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, where they will play for head coach Marissa Kocher in one of the nation’s newest programs. 2024 was the team’s second season, and the recently-signed pairing will join Blue Devil alumni Abigail Henderson and Gabby Croniser on the roster. Lago, a staunch advocate for student-athlete mental health, will study psychology. Robertson will study nursing next year.
Musch and Shenk will remain on the diamond after their upcoming senior seasons at Camden, with both making Division I softball commitments to follow varsity softball careers that began in eighth grade. Both are also three-sport athletes at Camden.
Musch made her commitment to St. Bonaventure, where she will study early childhood education. The smooth-swinging middle infielder is set to play for legendary head coach Mike Threehouse, who has led the Bonnies for almost three decades. She will join sister Brooke, a 2024 graduate and current player at UMass, at the top level of collegiate softball. Sibling rivalry will be in order soon, as the sisters are set to spend the next few years as Atlantic 10 Conference opponents.
Shenk, an extremely versatile utility player, will stay in Central New York. She sealed her commitment to one of the newest Division I programs at LeMoyne College. The Dolphins are coached by former Cicero-North Syracuse and UMass star Tracey Roman, and won 17 games in their inaugural Division I season in 2024. Her versatility extends far beyond the diamond, as she led all players in Section III Class B Field Hockey this fall with 39 total points.
An additional signing ceremony will be held in the Spring for athletes who have yet to make a decision, or will be competing at the NCAA Division III, NAIA, or NJCAA levels. 
