BHS Celebrates Three Senior Athletes

Though Feb. 2 was National Signing Day, after a few snow delays, three Bethel High School families and school staff came together to celebrate three senior athletes who have been signed to athletic programs at their respective colleges.

Chris Valenti will play football for Harvard University, Zack Albin is signed to play baseball at the University of New Haven and Lizzie Morton is going to continue running track at Sacred Heart University. 

Valenti, who was there with his mother Dina and all four of his grandparents, said it was a great experience.

"It's just nice to have everyone here. It's good to have the family around," Valenti said. "The best part is seeing Bethel players do great things on the field and move on the to next level as well." 

Valenti is looking to study economics at Harvard, which he said is a good program to look into when trying to balance football and academics. 

BHS Principal Pat Cosentino, who also taught Valenti at the Berry School, said she is excited to see him continue on to such a great school.

"Harvard is really special, I don't remember the last time we had someone go," Cosentino said. "But now I know who I'm going to root for during Harvard/Yale games."

Albin is planning to study business at UNH while playing Division II baseball as a pitcher.

"I've been playing since I was four-year-old with tee ball and I've always dreamed about coming up to play at the highest level I can compete at," Albin said.

His parents Deborah and David were also in attendance. Deborah Albin said: "We're very proud of him. He's been swinging a bat since he was probably 2-years-old. I have the marks on my kitchen wall to prove it."

"The hard part is he's going as a pitcher, while in high school he had the ability to play other positions...But he's worked hard and the hard work is playing off," David Albin said.

Albin also has a sister who plays softball at Keene State and a twin brother who is also looking to run track at the college level.

Morton said after a long college search, she's ready to move on from high school. "I'm so excited to go, I'm ready to go...I'm ready to start racing as a Division I athlete,"she said.

Morton also said she's thinking of studying athletic training or physical therapy because she said she can't see herself ever out of sports.

Cosentino said she's proud of all three students, who shine all around. "What great kids," she said. "All three, Zack, Lizzie and Chris, all come from great families, great values and are very involved. It's very exciting."