D2 Ladycats
Though D1 athletics get all of the glitz and glamor, D2 sports are a way for many student athletes to not only continue competing in a sport they love but obtain scholarships. With tight competition and great opportunities D2 is the way to go for many athletes.
With 293 D2 schools across the country, students have numerous choices to find a school that is right for them, and several of our Ladycats have done just that. Currently the Class of 2025 has six D2 commits across five sports.
Rylie Teapole - Slippery Rock University - Cross Country
Teapole is a current Beaver Area senior who recently announced her commitment to run cross country at Slippery Rock University. Teapole comes from a long line of runners and has always been involved in track and gymnastics teams. Teapole is coming off of a wonderful fall XC season where she finished 12 in the WPIAL, was a state qualifier, and a girls team captain. This year Teapole was the only girl to qualify for states from the Bobcats and was consistently in the top ten of finishers at various cross country invitationals leading up to WPIALs. Teapole was able to finish her senior season running next to her sister, sophomore Peyton Teapole. Run fast at The Rock, Rylie!
How long have you been running cross country?
“Four years.”
What made you want to run at the next level?
“I was really happy with my high school career, but I knew I would miss running and being on a team.”
What made you want to run at Slippery Rock?
“The coaches and team were all so nice, and I wanted to challenge myself running at the college level.”
Did you have any other offers or schools looking at you?
“Yes. I had Allegheny, Gannon, and Waynesburg offer me too, but I have been set on Slippery Rock because it was the best school for my major.”
What’s the number-one thing you’ve learned from this journey and cross country?
“The importance of working hard to reach your goals and putting in the work at practice so it all pays off.”
Taylor Young - Seton Hill University - Softball
After playing softball since she was a “young” girl (get it?)Young decided she wasn’t quite ready to be done with the sport following her senior year of high school. From the beginning of varsity softball she knew she wanted to play at the next level and started working both as a Bobcat and member of travel softball teams. Young has been a leader and captain for this new era of Beaver Area softball while being the starting pitcher. Following an ACL injury last season, Young is ready for the spring season and hoping to make the Bobcats a winning team once again. Young was a pivotal player in the back-to-back state and WPIAL softball championship teams of 2020 and 2021. Young decided to commit to Seton Hill University this October which lifts a weight off her shoulders and now only the excitement for her senior season remains.
How long have you been playing softball?
“14 years.”
What made you want to play at the next level?
“I just love softball and I couldn’t imagine not playing anymore.”
What made you want to play at Seton Hill?
“The coaches were so welcoming and supportive. It really made it feel like home.”
Did you have any other offers or schools looking at you?
“Yes, I had offers from Tiffin, Walsh, Gannon, Pitt Johnstown, and was talking to Saint Francis.”
What’s the number-one thing you’ve learned from this journey and softball?
“Always stay motivated, good things take time, and hard work always pays off.”
Samantha Springman - Clarion University - Softball
Springman has been on both softball and basketball teams nearly her entire life, but on the same day as Young, Springman decided to take her softball career to the next level at Clarion University. Springman was the Bobcats’ starting catcher for the 2020 and 2021 state champion teams. Now she has proven to be a valuable asset to the current, smaller team as the starting shortstop. This switch halfway through high school proved Springman’s ability to put a team first and got many college coaches watching her junior season. She was recruited as a catcher to the Golden Eagles. Springman, who has always put her academics first, decided on Clarion based first on her major and the academic opportunities the school had to offer (it helps that their softball program is great too).
How long have you been playing softball?
“Ten years.”
What made you want to play at the next level?
“I just wasn’t quite ready to be done yet; I thought I could be better.”
What made you want to play at Clarion?
“Their academics, the fact that it’s D2 and not D3, and the coaches—I just clicked with the team.”
Did you have any other offers or schools looking at you?
“Allegheny, Grove City, Penn State Beaver, and Salem. I ended up turning them all down pretty early in my junior year. I didn’t like any of them, so I figured I just wouldn’t play softball at the next level and attend a bigger school.”
What’s the number-one thing you’ve learned from this journey and softball?
“To try. The worst thing someone can say is no and you won’t know unless you try.”
Zoe Ringer - Fairmont State University - Volleyball
Ringer is “set” to continue playing volleyball in college. The Beaver Area record holder, WPIAL champion, and volleyball team captain has decided to continue her career at Fairmont State University in West Virginia. Ringer has proven herself as the best setter in Beaver Area history with over 3000 assists, shattering the previous record of roughly 1500. Ringer successfully led the Bobcats to be WPIAL champions her junior year and WPIAL runners-up her senior year. Volleyball is one of the few sports where a player can be successful when starting in just middle or high school, and Ringer has proved to do just that with a great work ethic and determination.
How long have you been playing volleyball?
“Five years.”
What made you want to play at the next level?
“I love the sport and I knew I didn’t want to stop playing yet.”
What made you want to play at Fairmont State?
“The team was so welcoming, and I also really liked the coaching staff.”
Did you have any other offers or schools looking at you?
“Cal U did, but honestly Fairmont was one of my first—and I loved it!”
What’s the number-one thing you’ve learned from this journey and volleyball?
“Never take things for granted; nothing is guaranteed.”
Emma Cunningham - West Liberty University - Women’s Wrestling
If you ask any sports enthusiast, “what is the fastest growing sport right now?” they will most likely say one of two answers: women's basketball and women’s wrestling. With both D1 and D2 women’s wrestling programs popping up all around the country following the huge success of the women’s wrestling program out of the University of Iowa, girls are wrestling. Cunningham started this movement at Beaver Area and hopes to continue her journey at West Liberty University in West Virginia. Last year, Cunningham received third in the WPIAL during its inaugural women’s wrestling season and is hoping to be a WPIAL champion this year. As the only girl on the Bobcat wrestling team, she has felt the pressure of being surrounded and competing with all boys but has persevered and succeeded until she was recruited for D2 sports.
How long have you been wrestling?
“About four years.”
What made you want to play at the next level?
“I feel like I have a lot more to prove, and on top of that, I just love wrestling. I am blessed to continue getting to wrestle in college, as there is no pro-wrestling league after college.”
What made you want to play at West Liberty?
“I loved West Liberty’s women's wrestling locker room. Their women’s team is also stacked, so I find it a place that will allow me to grow. The coaching staff is also extremely supportive and capable.”
Did you have any other offers or schools looking at you?
“Yes, I had a couple other D2 and D3 schools giving me some attention and offers. Gannon, Lock Haven, Delaware Valley, Waynesburg, Misericordia; they were all good options but they weren’t for me.”
What’s the number-one thing you’ve learned from this journey and wrestling?
“The number one thing I’ve learned from wrestling and this journey is that if you don’t believe that you are capable or if you don’t have confidence in yourself, you’ve already failed.”
Lilia Battalini - Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Soccer
A powerhouse junior and senior year led Battalini to be recruited for soccer at the D2 level. Battalini was chosen as an all-section and all-WPIAL player in both of her upperclassman years. Just a short two years ago, the Beaver Area women’s soccer team hadn’t won a playoff game in 11 years. This year they were one of the WPIAL championship favorites, but were sadly knocked out in the semi-final round. Nonetheless any soccer fan can see the progress that leaders like Battalini brought for the team. Following fellow teammates and seniors Sydney Chontos and Emerson Connelly, Battalini is the third LadyCat soccer player to commit to college soccer.
How long have you been playing soccer?
“I have been playing soccer for about 14 years. I started when I was about 4 years old, and I never stopped because I truly love the game.”
What made you want to play at the next level?
“I’ve played soccer for so long, I wouldn’t know what to do without it. It’s really become a part of my life that I enjoy and I’m not ready to give it up yet.”
What made you want to play at IUP?
“I attended an ID camp there and the coaches and players were very welcoming. I thought the campus was nice, and after talking with the coaches I liked their style of soccer and thought I would fit in.”
Did you have any other offers or schools looking at you?
“I didn’t have any other offers because I didn’t go to many ID or prospect camps, but after I visited IUP for the first time I knew it was for me. A big plus for me was being close to home, and I can go home when I need to.”
What’s the number-one thing you’ve learned from this journey and soccer?
“I learned to be patient and trust the process. If you put in the work you’ll get where you want to be.”
