Michael Palmer, of Maine-Endwell, is headed to Boston College.
Make that two Broome County football players who’ve chosen to tug on the maroon and gold of Boston College.
Michael Palmer, of Maine-Endwell, will join Johnson City’s Adam Korutz in the Atlantic Coast Conference program. Palmer intends to formalize his commitment when BC defensive coordinator Don Brown drops by Endwell on Wednesday morning.
An all-state three-season contributor to M-E’s recently halted 62-game win streak, Palmer visited Chestnut Hill., Massachusetts, last weekend — and ventured home Sunday morning with scholarship offer in hand.
He said he’d attended BC’s camp early last summer and gotten favorable feedback, but that contact with Eagles coaches dried up through the autumn. “I kind of thought they’d moved on to someone else,” Palmer said.
However, he said, Brown reached out the day after BC’s Nov. 28 season finale at Syracuse, one thing led to another, and this Spartan is to become an Eagle— defender, that is, as well as punt-return candidate.
“Definitely defense, corner or safety, kind of get out there and see what I do best,” said a young man who snatched 22 interceptions in M-E varsity three seasons.
Boston College’s 3-9 record this year included 0-for-8 in ACC play.
Palmer is among an assortment of Section 4 athletes to make known their collegiate intentions. Among others:
Hannah Burchell, Whitney Point: A key member of a Golden Eagles squad that has won the past two Class C state titles, Burchell will join older sister Rachael at Division I UMass next season. The Minutemen are coached by former Marathon and Maryland standout Carla Tagliente.
Baylee Burghardt, Vestal: She’ll join the field hockey program at University at Albany. A five-year Section 4 all-star, she was a two-time all-state selection and twice a state final four participant.
Emily Cluck, Johnson City: Bryant University (Rhode Island) for track and field is the choice for this three-time track and field state meet qualifier and five-time cross-country state meet qualifier, who holds multiple school records in track and field.
Daniella Dean, Maine-Endwell: Pace University’s basketball program will be next for this gal, who last season was named BCANY Class A Player of the Year upon completion of a season in which she averaged 21 points, 7.5 rebounds, six assists and five steals. She is a two-time Elite 10 selection.
Hannah George, Maine-Endwell: She is bound for Le Moyne College’s lacrosse program. As Spartans goaltender, she was recognized as 2015 Academic All-American and helped her team to the 2013 Section 4 championships in 2013. She was named to the Section 4 All-Tournament team (2015) and Section 4’s first all-star team.
Emily Mackay, Union-Endicott: Little transition of attire will be necessary from her customary orange and black as she’ll run track and cross country at Oregon State University. She was 1,500-meter state runner-up last June and has finished second in Class B state cross country competition.
Jared Nelson, Vestal: Will join Binghamton University’s lacrosse program. A four-year member of the Golden Bears’ lacrosse team, he was a multiple-time Section 4 all-star selection.
Dan Schaffer, Maine-Endwell: Will join the cross country and track and field programs at Binghamton University. Defending small-school state 3,200-meter champion, Schaffer went on to a fourth-place finish in cross-country regionals, which qualified him for national competition.
Emilly Schutt, Vestal: Is on to play field hockey at James Madison University. Holder of a Junior Olympic gold medal, she was a member of multiple Section 4 championship teams and two state semifinalists.
Cassidy Smith, Windsor: Mansfield University will be the next stop, and there she’ll join the field hockey and softball programs. She was twice all-division first team in field hockey, and come warmer weather figures to be the Black Knights’ third-season starter at third base.
T.J. Wegmann, Vestal: He’ll move just down the Parkway to play baseball for Binghamton University. As a three-sport athlete, he’s gained all-conference and all-state recognition for the Golden Bears, as well as academic all-star status.
Samantha Wood, Tioga: She’ll don a St. Bonaventure softball uniform following a distinguished varsity tenure with the Tigers. She was second-team all-state pitcher in Class C last spring.
