This year, Pace Academy’s senior class, the class of 2024, has 14 athletes who have committed themselves to further their education and athletic careers in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). This list of athletes ranges from individuals who have participated in Pace athletic teams to athletes who have competed separately.
Senior volleyball player Grace Agolli has committed to the University of California at Berkeley where she will begin her journey as a Bear. “I chose a school that had excellent academics and athletics, and when I visited I fell in love with the campus and girls on the team,” Grace said. During her time at Pace, she was recognized for her athletic abilities through being a four time state champion, earning the Gatorade Player of the Year, and multiple all-state awards.
Baseball player Tucker Ausband will attend Piedmont University next year where he will continue his athletic career. “I’m excited to learn more about the insides of the game, the things people don’t see on the outside, along with how to create routines to help me prepare better for games which will help me grow as a player and a student of baseball,” said Ausband. Ausband has helped the Pace baseball team compete in the state tournament and is finishing up his final season in hopes of repeating that process.
Clemson University commit Hevin Brown-Shuler will play football for the Tigers in the fall. Earning all-state recognition along with being nationally recognized with his presence in the Adidas All-American game, Brown-Shuler was of huge help to the Pace team on the defensive line. “I’m excited to play college football at the highest level, I’m excited about the college fan-base, I’m excited to play against the top players in the country and play on national television every weekend,” Brown-Shuler said. This summer, he will move up to Clemson’s campus in South Carolina where he will begin his preseason preparation.
Football player Maddox Crawford has committed to Sewanee the University of the South, to continue his football career for the tigers. Crawford played numerous positions for the Knights and has set weight room records for his athletic abilities too. “I’m ready to meet new people and have a really cool college experience,” said Crawford while talking about why he is excited for Sewanee. He has also earned all-state recognition for his accomplishments on the football field. Crawford is aiming to catch many more touchdowns next year at Sewanee.
Football athlete Jordan Burns committed to the University of Tennessee where he will attend school and play football come fall. Burns was new to Pace his junior year, and helped Pace football beat their rival team Westminster for the first time in program history, and he has also been recognized with many all-state awards. “Tennessee has really good football with good coaches and a nice stadium,” said Burns. “I’m excited to play football in front of so many people.” This summer, he will begin his preseason workouts and training up at Tennessee.
Kyle Greene has committed to Tulane University, where he will play basketball come winter. Greene is a state champion for the Knights and helped the team to their state championship run in 2023. Along with being named a four star recruit, he has also earned many all-state recognition awards. “I’m excited for the chance to bring Tulane into the national spotlight both as [an] academic institution and a[n] athletic powerhouse, Green stated. ” “I love the rich history of the city of New Orleans and the culture around food is also amazing down there.”
In the fall, Duke University commit Caroline Hood will attend Duke and run cross country along with track and field. Hood has set many new Pace records and has won multiple state championships. She was also recognized for her Athletic excellence through achieving Gatorade Player of the Year. “I am so excited about running at Duke in the Fall!” “It makes all the disappointments and sacrifices worth it,” Hood said. “I would not be here without Coach Jolie Cunningham.” “A great coach and always did everything she could to help me be successful!” Caroline will move up to Durham, North Carolina in the fall to begin her collegiate athletic career.
Senior football player Christian Johnson will continue both his academic and athletic career at the United States Naval Academy to take on everything that the Navy has to offer. Johnson was a star running back for the Knights and received all-state recognition for his athletic abilties. “I’m excited to join a new football team with new teammates, new coaches and a new environment,” Johnson said. He is thrilled to be able to play in the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Terrence Kiel II will attend Texas A&M University and play baseball for the Aggies. Kiel II helped the 2022 baseball team to a state championship game, and has earned all-state recognition for his accomplishments. Kiel II also received all-state awards for his talents on the football field for the Knights. “I am most excited about the electric A&M atmosphere at Blue Bell Ballpark and [I am] ready to start a new chapter in my baseball career,” Kiel II said.
Volleyball Athlete Dhru Lalaji will continue her athletic and academic career at Wake Forest University this fall. Lalaji helped the Pace volleyball team to four state championships. She has also been recognized multiple times for her excellence through all-state awards. “I’m super excited to play at the next level with a new atmosphere and new people,” Lalaji said. She will be moving up to Salem, North Carolina in the fall to begin her collegiate volleyball career.
Gabby Mautner will attend Brown University next fall where she will continue both her academic and athletic journeys. Mautner has competed on her own where she has been extremely successful, and this year she is competing for the Pace team where she has been victorious on multiple occasions. “I always knew that I wanted a college with both rigorous academics and athletics, which perfectly describes Brown University,” said Mautner. “I am so excited for next year – the thing I’m looking forward to the most is the team environment and the amazing girls I will get to spend time with!”
Senior, LJ Moore will be attending the University of Chicago to continue playing basketball. Moore has helped the Knights to winning two state championships, and has been recognized for his greatness through all-state recognition. “I’m excited because I like the atmosphere of the school and the city of Chicago,” Moore said. “I’m ready to get to play basketball in college because this has been a goal of mine since I was a little kid.” Come fall, he will begin his preparation for the winter season.
Will Moore, has committed to Sewanee the University of the South where he will join the baseball team and continue his athletic and academic career. Along with playing baseball for the Knights, Moore has also been a part of the football and wrestling teams at Pace. He was a part of the Knights 2022 state championship team and has earned all-state recognition for his accomplishments. “I’ve played sports my whole life, so playing at the college level is something I’m really excited about,” said Moore. Next spring, Moore will take the field for the Tigers up in Tennessee.
Georgetown University commit, Ethan Rucker, will continue his academic career along with joining the baseball team. Rucker was a part of the state championship game team, and has earned all-state honors for his accomplishments. He has been on many trips up to Virginia and he absolutely loves the campus and campus life at Georgetown. “I’m excited to be in DC, it’s a cool city and I’m getting a top tier education and playing competitive competition,” said Rucker. He is hoping to strike many more batters out next year while pitching for the Hoyas.
Ellie Siskin, who is committed to the University of Pennsylvania, will join the Penn volleyball team this fall and compete for the Quakers. Siskin helped the Knights to four state championships, and was recognized for her accomplishments through all-state awards. “I have already made many connections with the team and I’m looking forward to playing with them next year,” Siskin said. “I am also looking forward to traveling to all the other IVY league schools to get to play them.” She is also thrilled to move to Philadelphia to play in the famous Palestra gymnasium.
Colorado College commit, Mathew Wells, will join both Cross Country and Track & Field teams next year. Mathew has won state championships, set new records, and has also been recognized for his athletic abilities through many all-state awards. “As soon as I went to visit, I knew the school was right for me,” Wells said. “Not only the athletics and their facilities, but everything there seemed right up my alley.” This fall, he will join the Cross Country team, and next spring he will begin his Track & Field collegiate career.