HOUGHTON, N.Y. – More than 90 first-year players have joined Highlander teams this year, including 52 student-athletes participating in fall sports.
 
As the fall seasons begin to wind down, many of the Highlander teams have seen significant contributions from those players donning the purple and gold for the first time.
 
Field Hockey:  4 additions
 
Sydney Jameson
Jameson is a defender from Saratoga Springs, N.Y. and attended Saratoga Springs High School. While in high school, Jameson participated in basketball, softball, and field hockey. In 2014, she was a member of her school's regional champions field hockey team. In 2015, her team was sectional finalists.
 
Samantha Hirsch
Hirsch is a forward/midfielder from East Aurora, N.Y. Hirsch is a transfer from Creighton University where she did not play field hockey. Hirsch attended East Aurora High School and participated in field hockey, softball, and track and field. Hirsch was a recipient of an ECIC Section VI All-WNY Sportsmanship Award during high school.
 
Carly Cronin
Cronin is a midfielder/defender from Cheektowaga, N.Y. and attended West Seneca East High School.
 
Sarah Olandt
Olandt is a goalkeeper from Ocean View, N.J. and attended Ocean View High School.
 
Coaches Thoughts
"Many from our freshmen/transfer class of already made an immediate impact on and off the field. I am very pleased with their academic and athletic commitment thus far and hopeful for their future with our program." – Head Coach Hannah Ogden
 
Men's Cross Country: 7 additions
 
Christian Arbour
Arbour is from Newtown, Conn. and attended Henry Abbott Tech. During high school Arbour's best time in the 1600m was a time of 4:57 and 11:00.47 in the 3k run.
 
Daniel Burdo
Burdo is from Brattleboro, Vt. and attended Brattleboro Union High School. During high school, Burdo participated in Nordic skiing, cross country, and track and field. His best times include 19:08.8 in the 5000m, 1:59.97 in the 800m, 53.92 in the 400m, and 24.61 in the 400m.
 
Isaac Burmingham
Burmingham is from Camden, N.Y. and attended Camden Central School. During high school Burmingham's best time in a cross country 5k was 17:50, was 10:53.61 in the 3200m, was 5:00.1 in the 1600m, and was 11:30 in the 3000m steeplechase.
 
Tyler Deuschle
Deuschle is from Depew, N.Y. and attended Depew High School. During high school Deuschle's best time in a cross country 5k was 17:52, was 10:21.48 in the 3k steeplechase, and was 4:48 in the 1600m.
 
Tyler Stetson
Stetson is from North East, Pa. and attended North East High School. During high school Stetson's best time in a cross country 5k was 18:05.6.
 
John Vernick
Vernick is from Rochester, N.Y. and attended Churchville-Chili High School. During high school Vernick's best time in a cross country 5k was 17:40 and 11:31.85 in the 3200m.
 
Matthew Wallace
Wallace is from West Seneca, N.Y. and attended West Seneca East High School. During high school Wallace's best times include 18:20.3 in a cross country 5k, 17:22 in the three mile, 5:01 in the 1600m, and 2:11.77 in the 800m.
 
Women's Cross Country: 8 additions
 
Emily Blosdale
Blosdale is from Brantford, Ontario, Canada and attended St. Johns College. During high school Blosdale's best time in a cross country 5k was 25:39.4.
 
Anna Hardiman
Hardiman is from Potsdam, N.Y. and was homeschooled.
 
Mikaela Hummel
Hummel is from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and attended Redeemer Christian. She is the younger sister of cross country teammate, junior, Rachel Hummel. During high school Hummel's best time in a cross country 3k was 14:19 and 28.32 in the 200m.
 
Shelby Langlois
Langlois is from Upperco, Md. and attended Hereford High School. During high school Langlois's best time in a cross country 5k was 20:50.4 and was 13:05.7 in the 3200m.
 
Abigail Naylor
Naylor is from Chambersburg, Pa. and attended Shalom Christian. While in high school, Naylor participated in soccer, cross country, and track and field. During high school Naylor's best time in a cross country 5k was 24:39.6.
 
Kelly Parmeter
Parmeter is from Binghamton, N.Y. and attended Chenango Forks High School. While in high school, Parmeter participated in softball and cross country. Parmeter won academic All-Star awards for softball and cross country. Parmeter's best time in a cross country 5k was 22:24.
 
Gabrielle Starkey
Starkey is from Altmar, NY and attended Altmar-Parish Williamstown. During high school Starkey's best time in a cross country 5k was 30:29.2 and 8:13.73 in the 1500m.
 
Gwen Stokes
Stokes is from Fredonia, N.Y. and attended Fredonia High School. During high school Stokes best time in a cross country 5k was 19:49.08, was 3:17.4 in the 1000m, and was 2:26.37 in the 800m. Stokes was named to the First Team All-League for cross country all four years of high school and First Team All-League in outdoor track as a senior. She was also honored as an All-WNY cross country runner of the week sophomore, junior, and senior years.
 
Coach's Thoughts
"We were thrilled at not only the volume of incoming freshmen, but also the quality. There several kids who are performing just as we thought they would, and contributing in our top 5 from the start. There are also a couple of kids, Emily Blosdale and Dan Burdo, who we didn't necessarily think would contribute right away, but developed quickly into top 5 or 7 runners for us. The key with such a young team is keeping them healthy through the season and not burning out with the increase in mileage and racing distance. I think we're on track to see some of these new student-athletes finish strong." – Head Coach Patrick Hager
 
Men's Soccer: 11 additions
 
Robert Leete
Leete is a 5'10'' goalkeeper from Coudersport, Pa. and transferred from Alfred State College where he did not play soccer.
 
Ben DiCrasto
DiCrasto is a 5'9" midfielder from Williamson, N.Y. and was homeschooled. During high school DiCrasto was participated in soccer and basketball. During his high school soccer career he scored 55 goals and collected 48 assists. He was also named the team MVP three times.
 
Bernardo Langa
Langa is a 5'8" forward from Maputo, Mozambique and attended Christian Academy.
 
William Baggs
Baggs is a 6'0" midfielder from New Boston, N.H. and was homeschooled.
 
Caleb Kaiss
Kaiss is a 6"0" defender from Linthicum Heights, Md. and attended Rockbridge Academy. While in high school Kaiss played soccer and tennis. During his high school soccer career he was named first team All-Conference as a senior and team MVP his senior year. Kaiss was also his team's captain his senior year and was part of his team's conference champions team as a sophomore.
 
Morgan Brown
Brown is a 5'9" forward from Livonia, N.Y. and attended Livonia High School.
 
Marcus Betzer
Betzer is a 5'9" midfielder from New Columbia, Pa. and attended Meadowbrook Christian. In high school Betzer participated in soccer and track and field. During his high school soccer career he scored a total of 51 goals and collected 49 assists. In 2015, Betzer was an ACAA Eastern Division Boys All-Star. Betzer was also was named the PIAA District 4 Most Outstanding Athlete due to his tremendous soccer play. In 2013, he was a member of his schools ACAA champion soccer team.
 
Daniel Bussey
Bussey is a 6'0" forward from Leicester, England and attended Rosslyn Academy. Bussey is the younger brother of Highlander sophomore Andrew Bussey.
 
Erik Ljungholm
Ljungholm is a 6'2" midfielder from Concord, N.H. and attended Concord Christian.
 
Jeremy Newswanger
Newswanger is a 5'9" defender from Bainbridge, Pa. and attended Lancaster Mennonite. While in high school Newswanger participated in baseball, volleyball, and soccer. During his high school soccer career he scored three goals and was a first team All-Star as a senior. In 2014, Newswanger was part a his school's AA state runner up team. In 2015, he was a member of his school's District 3 AA champions team.
 
Kyle Brown
Brown is a 5'10" defender from Davenport, N.Y. and attended Charlotte Valley High School. Scored 15 goals and collected 10 assists during his senior year. Brown was also named a First Team Daily Star All-Star selection and First Team Section 4 All-Star selection during his high school soccer career.
 
Coach's Thoughts
"This year's class has been a good addition.  It is a big class (numbers) but we have already had some pretty significant contributions from the class.  Jeremy Newswanger has established himself as a pretty regular starter at the center back position.  We have had goals from Kyle Brown, Marcus Betzer, and Ben DiCrasto already as well.  Additionally, every one of our new players has seen time on the field thus far.  As a class they give us some much needed depth.  We have a large senior class this year with some very established players in our program, so playing time is harder to come by for our younger players, but we are very encouraged by what we see in this class and are very optimistic about how these young players will continue to develop and grow as they become more regular contributors in the future." – Head Coach Matthew Webb
 
Women's Soccer: 10 additions
 
Rachael Fortney
Fortney is a goalkeeper from Mayville, N.Y. and attended Chautauqua Lake High School. While in high school Fortney participated in soccer and track and field. During her high school soccer career she was named to the All-Conference first team as a junior and a senior. As a senior, Fortney was also named the Chautauqua County Defensive MVP.
 
Lauren Couturier
Couturier is a midfielder from Lockport, N.Y. and attended Wilson High School. While in high school, Couturier participated in soccer, basketball, and softball. During her high school soccer career she earned an honorable mention and was awarded a Sportsmanship Award as a senior. Couturier was the captain of her team senior year.
 
Olivia Bullock
Bullock is a defender from Leesburg, Va. and attended Loudoun County High School. While in high school, Bullock participated in swimming and soccer. In 2015 and 2016, Bullock's soccer team won state championships.
 
Sarah Hoag
Hoag is a forward/midfielder from Phoenix, N.Y. and attended Phoenix High School. While in high school, Hoag participated in soccer and track and field. Hoag was captain of her soccer team for two years and named team MVP as a senior.
 
Abigail Reeth
Reeth is a defender/midfielder from Minneapolis, Minn. and was homeschooled. In 2014, her soccer team placed second in the National Homeschool Championship.
 
Mary Tyrrell
Tyrrell is a defender/midfielder from Shelton, Conn. and attended Christian Heritage.
 
Mckenzie Marti
Marti is a forward/midfielder from Lowville, N.Y. and attended Lowville Academy.
 
Sadie Dunnett
Dunnett is a goalkeeper from Quispamsis, New Brunswick, Canada and transferred from University of New Brunswick – Saint John.  Dunnett played goalkeeper for the University of New Brunswick – Saint John Seawolves. Prior to college, Dunnett was a U14 Provincial Champion and went on to play at Nationals. She was also a U15 Provincial Runner-up, team MVP, and won two Provincial AAA Championships in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015.
 
Dana Jones
Jones is a defender from Jamestown, N.Y. and attended Maple Grove High School. While in high school, Jones participated in soccer and track and field. During her high school soccer career Jones was a first team All-Star from 2013-2015. Jones also received Sportsmanship Awards in 2013 and 2015. Her senior year she was captain both the soccer and track teams while also being named a Post-Journal All-Star.
 
Cassie Pensyl
Pensyl is a forward/midfielder from Wellsville, N.Y. and attended Whitesville Central School. While in high school, Pensyl participated in soccer and basketball. During her high school soccer career she scored 21 goals and collected eight assists. Pensyl was an Allegany County All-Star all four years of high school. As a senior Pensyl  was a member of the Big 30, named Player of the Year, and named to the All-State third team.
 
Coach's Thoughts
"The 10 new players (nine freshmen and one transfer) are working hard and a primary goal is to raise their skill level and speed of play.  Six of the ten have already started at least one game this season and several are seeing regular minutes of playing time.  Both of our GKs are new to this year's team. With half of our team being new this season, our challenge is to see how quickly they can all gel and play quality soccer." – Head Coach David Lewis
 
Volleyball: 5 additions
 
Morgan Potempa
Potempa is a 5'3" defensive specialist from Lockport, N.Y. and attended Nardin Academy.
 
Amy Huddell
Huddell is a 6'0" middle blocker from Glenolden, Pa. and attended Interboro High School. Huddell was Second Team All-Conference as a junior, First Team All-Conference as a senior, and an All-Area Honorable Mention as a senior.
 
Jaimee Glendenning
Glendenning is a 5'10" outside hitter from East Aurora, N.Y. and attended Orchard Park High School. While in high school, Glendenning participated in volleyball and basketball. Glendenning was named second team All-Conference for both volleyball and basketball her senior year.
 
BreAnna Voglesong
Voglesong is a 5'7" outside hitter from Whitesboro, Texas and attended Calisburgh High School.
 
Ally Bittinger
Bittinger is a 5'7" setter from Lewisberry, Pa. and attended Northern High School. While in high school, Bittinger only participated in volleyball. She set several school records such as career assists with 1599, number of assists in a match with 51, and career service aces with 175. Bittinger was named her high school MVP junior and senior years. Additionally, Bittinger was named high school Athlete of the Month once during her junior and senior years.
 
Coach's Thoughts
"I am excited about my five freshmen. They are meshing really well with our team. Ally Bittinger and BreAnna Voglesong have gotten significant time on the court already while the others have all seen some time. They bring depth to both our defense and our front row." – Head Coach Nancy Cole
 
Women's Tennis: 1 addition

Caroline Phillips
Phillips is from Bexley, Ohio and attended Bexley High School. During her high school career tennis career she was an All-Conference first team selection and team MVP all four years of high school. Phillips made it to sectionals and districts all four years of high school while also finishing second in the Mid-State league all four years of high school. As a senior Phillips was awarded The Mayor's Cup.
 
Coach's Thoughts
"Upon arrival, Caroline immediately bought into the systems of the tennis team. While playing number one singles and doubles for us, she exhibited maturity at all times and kept calm under the pressure.  Her relentless powerful groundstrokes kept us in many matches and played a vital role in the team's success.  Caroline has truly been a great addition our team." – Head Coach Charlie Ellis
 
Men's Tennis: 5 additions

Michael Cha
Cha is originally from Seoul, South Korea, but prepped at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Maryland. He is a transfer from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, where he participated for one season with the Hawks. As a freshman, he was named the Rookie of the Year and Team MVP after serving as the team's No. 1 singles and doubles player. He was named the department Male Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2016.
 
Aaron Crocker
Crocker is from Springwater, N.Y. and attended Honeoye High School. Crocker was a member of his high school's Section V title winning tennis team.
 
Jake Fisler
Fisler is from Webster, N.Y. and attended Webster Thomas High School.
 
Adam Funch
Funch is from Eden, N.Y. and attended Eden High School. During his sophomore year he went 9-1 playing 1^st doubles. As a junior Funch had a record of 9-1 playing in the third singles slot. Funch's team was division champs sophomore through senior years.
 
Joshua Metzler
Metzler is from Albion, N.Y. and attended Charles D'Amico High School. Metzler was a First Team All-League selection his junior and senior years. During his sophomore year he recorded a season record of 26 wins and 10 losses.
 
Coach's Thoughts
"The men's tennis team played three matches during our nontraditional season with all of our newest players already stepping up and playing in one of these contests.   It was a very successful recruiting class as a whole, as Michael Cha, Joshua Metzler, Adam Funch, Aaron Crocker and Jake Fisler played well and displayed maturity under match play pressure. This is a new era for Houghton College tennis as these young men are setting the bar higher. They have improved the team chemistry with their work ethic and buying to the system. They are a welcomed addition to our tennis team." – Head Coach Charlie Ellis