Deer Park School District

Five Deer Park Seniors Sign for College Athletics

Five outstanding Deer Park High School senior athletes committed to continuing their sports careers in college this fall during a June 5 recognition ceremony hosted by District Administrator for Athletics, Physical Education, Health and Recreation Dominick Fontana in the school’s chorus room.

Karen Garcia will play soccer at Queens College. She earned All-Division (2021, 2023) and All-League (2022) honors during her high school career. She plans to major in biochemistry.

“I chose this college because I really loved the campus,” Garcia said. “I also liked the coaching staff and the girls on the team were very welcoming.”

Vincent LaCascia will play baseball at Bridgeport University. He earned All-League honors (2023) and won the team’s MVP (2023) and Coaches Award (2022). He plans to major in physical therapy.

“I liked the academic and baseball programs at Bridgeport when I visited,” LaCascia said.

Hayden Lovinsky will play football at SUNY Cortland. A three-sport athlete, he served as captain of Deer Park’s football team and played for the varsity basketball and lacrosse teams. His high school career accolades include First Team All-State, First Team All-Long Island, All-County, First Team All-Division, 2023 Tom Cassese Award winner (best defensive back in Suffolk County), National Football Foundation Award finalist (best wide receiver in Suffolk), Best Defensive Player Award finalist, Suffolk County Student-Athlete of the Year nominee and team MVP. Lovinsky plans to major in criminology.

“Cortland is a great academic college with amazing sports facilities and teams, and an in-state SUNY school,” Lovinsky said of his choice.

Tyler Romero will join the swimming and diving team at Adelphi University. During his time at Deer Park, he earned numerous accolades including All-County, All-League, All-Long Island, Suffolk County Diver of the Year, Long Island Championship third place, league first place, Suffolk County first place and team MVP. Romero plans to major in physics.

Romero noted that Adelphi not only has a excellent swimming and diving team, but has the engineering program he is interested in. “I also like the coach is the same as my club coach, who I started diving with back in my sophomore year,” he said. “It is also important to me that Adelphi is close to home so that I can stay with my family.”

Brian Ugalde will play baseball at SUNY Cortland. He earned All-League and Scholar-Athlete recognition during his high school career. Ugalde plans to major in physical education.

“I chose Cortland because it has an outstanding physical education program,” Ugalde said. “SUNY Cortland baseball has been nationally ranked in the Top 10 for many years, and I am excited to play at a higher level of competition.”