OHIO CITY, OH - On Wednesday, February 7, Saint Ignatius High School hosted National Signing Day inside the Breen Center. 18 Wildcat student-athletes signed their letter of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level for Division I and Division II programs. 

The hard work and dedication of these young men will not be forgotten. More importantly, this is a celebration for the parents and family members who have sacrificed so much for their son to succeed at Saint Ignatius High School for the past four years.

These young men are Ignatius Men Forever and have left their mark on the field and in the classroom. The Saint Ignatius athletic department wishes nothing but the best for the future of the senior student-athletes moving on to the next level. 

Get to know our 18 student-athletes representing the Blue and Gold at the next level.

Sam Chalhoub first began playing rugby in his sophomore year of high school. Now, as he heads into his third season with the rugby program, Chalhoub has earned an opportunity to continue his academic and rugby career at the University of Kentucky.

Chalhoub was a defensive lineman for the Football Cats but decided to focus on rugby for his senior year. Through his hard work in the weight room and focus on conditioning, he has worked himself into great shape for his senior rugby season.

Chalhoub is a jack-of-all-trades kind of player for Head Rugby Coach Dan Arbeznik’s ’00 varsity squad as he has had roles as a lock and flanker, making his versatility unique as he has played seven of the eight positions on the pitch. Chalhoub can make an impact wherever the Wildcats plug him in.

In his junior season, Chalhoub started in a significant amount of A-side games while also seeing time with the B-Side squad. More would be asked out of Chalhoub last year at the Midwest Championships when there were no seniors available and he was named a starter.

In 2023, Chalhoub would be a part of the first program in history to win a sixth consecutive State Championship for Saint Ignatius with a 38-7 victory over Archbishop Moeller. Chalhoub also gained experience, starting in the National Championship Tournament and playing internationally in Japan.

Chalhoub will continue his rugby career with Charlie Sizemore, who is also heading to the University of Kentucky.

Bradley Chill has left his legacy for the Saint Ignatius Golf program. Chill was essential in the Wildcat back-to-back State Championship runs in 2021 and 2022. Chill was a four-year letter award winner for the golf program and began his golf career at Saint Ignatius with the OHSAA State Runner-Up team in 2020.

In his sophomore year, Chill was a part of a record-setting day at the OHSAA State Tournament on the Scarlet Course when the team scored an OHSAA record lowest day one score with a 293.

In the 2022 State Championship season, Chill was a Runner-Up State Medalist with a 150 score.

Chill left his name on the program record board after finishing his Saint Ignatius golf career. In his senior year, Chill ended with a program record lowest season average at 70.59, a record previously held by Nick Piesen ’23, who is currently a member of the Indiana Hoosier Golf team. Chill and Piesen will be reunited as teammates in the fall. Chill made the All-Ohio First Team in 2022 and the All-Ohio Second Team in 2023.

In the offseason, Chill remains busy, competing in events around the country, which includes a second-place finish in the Circle K Junior Championship hosted by Otter Creek with a score of 211.

Chill is arguably one of the best high school golfers in the Class of 2024 and has left his mark at Saint Ignatius High School.

The Coxswain position is a role that comes with leadership. The Coxswain is responsible for steering the boat and coordinating the power and rhythm of the rowers. With this position, Lucas Caine has unlocked his potential in leadership.

From his junior to senior year, Caine’s growth has stuck out to the Crew coaching staff. Not only did that recognition come from the Wildcat Navy, but it also came from the recruiting process in the fall of 2023, when Caine earned an opportunity to continue his academic and rowing career at Mercyhurst University.

The Wildcat Navy has built a standard of success on the water and, in 2023, was crowned Midwest Scholastic Champions. The program also won a gold medal in the 8+ Junior Boat at the SRAA National Championships in 2023, along with a silver medal in the Freshman 8+ boat.

Heading towards the spring Crew season, Caine will look to take off as a leader in the boats for the Wildcat Navy, looking to defend their Midwest Crown.

Caine will continue his rowing career at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania, a Division II rowing program.With Caine taking the Coxswain position and making it his own, the Wildcatcoaching staff is ecstatic to see how he grows even more at the collegiate level.

Angelo Cirino made a massive jump after his junior year to earn a collegiate scholarship to continue his academic and baseball career at Walsh University.

Cirino did not make the varsity squad in his junior year, but that did not discourage the infielder from walking away from the game; in fact, it motivated Cirino to get to work.

What makes Cirino unique on the baseball diamond is that he is a switch hitter at the dish and has improved handling the bat through his time with his club team in Premier Ohio.

During his sophomore year with the JV squad, Cirino was a part of the 20-4-2 Wildcats that dominated throughout the season.

As a utility batter, Cirino collected five hits, knocking in four RBIs and he also had six runs and seven walks. In the field, Cirino was steady with a fielding percentage of 90%, seeing time at second base, third base and shortstop.

His JV coaches were impressed with Cirino’s work ethic and ability to work with his teammates.

Cirino will continue his baseball career at the Division II level in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference at Walsh University in North Canton. The Cavaliers are gaining a reliable infielder in Cirino next fall.

Through four years of Saint Ignatius Golf, Julian Dugan and Bradley Chill created a strong duo on the links for the Wildcats.

Dugan was a vital member of the 2021 and 2022 OHSAA State Championship teams, including the record-setting performance on day one of the 2021 State Championship for the lowest score at 293, a state record.

Dugan wrapped up his high school golf career as one of the top-ranked golfers in the Class of 2024. Dugan has traveled around the country, competing in different events. Dugan has competed in events such as the Randy Wise Junior Open, AJGA Dana Incorporated Junior Open, and Circle K Junior Championship.

Like Chill, Dugan was one of the senior leaders for first-year Head Golf Coach Kevin Neitzel ’90. Dugan ensured that the first and second-year students felt a part of the team as soon as they stepped foot on the links, continuing to build a gold standard of Golf at Saint Ignatius.

Dugan will continue his academic and golf career at Purdue Fort Wayne University, a Division I program. As Dugan begins his collegiate career in Indiana, his legacy wearing the Blue and Gold remains, being a member of back-to-back State Championship teams and one of Ohio’s best golfers.

The future of Wildcat Golf remains bright from Dugan’s mentorship with the younger student-athletes.

A four-year varsity letter award winner will be continuing his academic and lacrosse career at the University of Utah. Klinge has made a name on the lacrosse field with his hard-nosed defensive play and as one of the hardest-hitting defensemen in the state.

In his sophomore year, Klinge made the One Percent Showcase All-Star team for his club team.

He has been a part of two State Final Four teams, being a member of the 2021 and 2023 Regional Championship teams.

2023 was a breakout year for Klinge as he was named First-Team All-Region and Third-Team All-State. Klinge also made the second-team All-MSLA.

Klinge will be teaming up with one of the best midfielders in the state, Ian Ludewig, who is a member of the rival Hudson Explorers but a summer teammate with Klinge at Utah.

On the National stage, Klinge made the Under Armour All-American Midwest roster in 2021, competing against some of the best lacrosse players in the country.

Before Klinge heads out West to play for the Utes, he has one goal in mind and that is to deliver the program’s first State Championship and as a personal goal, wants to be named as an All-American in his senior year.

In 2024, Klinge will continue to bring the energy for the Lacrosse Cats.

In his freshman year, Collin Lange would play quarterback for the Football Cats, but with an injury, his freshman baseball season was affected. Through his growth in the last three seasons, Lange has earned a scholarship to continue his academic and baseball career at Eastern Michigan University.

2022 would be a season for Lange to take a giant leap forward. Lange would collect 14 innings of work, posting an ERA of .050. In his JV season, Lange would strike out 26 batters, including a season-high seven Ks against Lakewood.

For the 2023 season, the Wildcats had depth at pitcher and Lange was limited in appearances for his junior year. But Lange was solid in his 9.2 innings of work, posting an ERA of 3.62, striking out 13.

Lange’s career high in strikeouts is three in a game, and that happened twice as he achieved that against Cane Bay and Massillon Jackson.

Lange comes into his senior season listed at 6’5, 205 pounds and has improved his velocity on the mound with a 91 mph fastball and will look to be one of the key rotational pitchers for the Wildcats in the 2024 season.

Lange will soon be rivals in the MAC with current teammates Sawyer Solitaria and Mitch Tarnowski as the lengthy pitcher will continue his baseball career at the Division I level at Eastern Michigan University.

One of the hardest-working student-athletes you’ll find in the Class of 2024 will continue his academic and football career at Northwestern University.

Sean Martin earned his first varsity appearance in August 2021 as a sophomore against the Mentor Cardinals. Backing up Marty Lenehan ’22 and Joey Georges ’22 in the backfield, Martin scored his first varsity touchdown on a 17-yard pass from Joey Pfaff ’22 against the Cardinals.

That was just the beginning of the impact Martin would leave on the gridiron for the Wildcats. 2022 would be the breakout year for Martin as he played on both sides of the ball as an impact running back and cornerback. Martin would total 364 yards in the backfield on 88 attempts and scored six rushing touchdowns. Martin also caught 18 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns.

This included a three-touchdown performance at Cleveland Browns Stadium in a double overtime win against Mentor.

In his senior year, Martin would be the number one cornerback on the defensive side. Opposing teams did not throw much toward Martin, but he would collect 20 tackles and one pass breakup.

Martin was also a three-year varsity letter award winner for the Basketball Cats. Initially, Martin was committed to play in the MAC for the Toledo Rockets, but earned a BIG 10 Scholarship to play for the Northwestern Wildcats. With his speed, Martin will play safety at Northwestern.

Football was always the primary sport for Cross McKinney until the fifth grade. That is when a new sport became a passion for McKinney. That sport would be lacrosse and with that passion, will continue his academic and lacrosse career at Mars Hill University in North Carolina.

McKinney made a considerable jump in his junior year, which earned him a spot on the Varsity Blue squad for the Lacrosse Cats.

Head Lacrosse Coach Kyle Bernlohr notes McKinney’s athleticism that caught the eyes of the coaching staff. He has showcased his ability to cover ground over the entire field and seems not to tire.

After his junior season, it was paramount that McKinney wanted to tighten up some areas of his game as he has the potential to be on the Prep roster.

As the coaching staff and his teammates have mentioned, McKinney’s energy is contagious and boosts the morale of the guys on and off the field. McKinney also brings humbleness to his character, showing a lead-by-example type of person.

McKinney’s positive energy will be tremendous for the Lacrosse Cats in the 2024 season. That infectious personality will travel south to North Carolina when McKinney heads to Mars Hill University next fall.

This Division II program plays in the South Athletic Conference. Family played a significant factor in his decision as a big part of McKinney’s family lives in North Carolina.

A senior captain for the Football Cats will continue his academic and football career at the Division II level at Ashland University.

Jonathan Merimee has a unique ability on the football field, playing multiple positions to give his team the best chance to win. In his senior year, Merimee saw time at receiver, safety and as an edge rusher.

On the offensive side of the ball is what Merimee was most known for because of his ridiculous catches throughout his time wearing the Blue and Gold, standing at 6’4, 215 pounds.

In 2022, Merimee earned a starting role with the receivers and was the top receiver in his junior year with 35 receptions for 526 yards and six touchdowns.

In week two of his senior season against Mentor, the receiver caught three passes for 49 yards and two touchdowns in the 16-14 win against the Cardinals.

On the defensive side of the ball, Merimee was a key piece for the Wildcat secondary and was a hard-hitting safety. In ten games, Merimee collected 17 tackles, 2.5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks.

In his final game wearing the Blue and Gold against Canton McKinley in the Regional Semifinal, Merimee caught six passes for 84 yards and two touchdown receptions that helped the Wildcats rally back.

Merimee will compete for the Ashland Eagles in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference in Division II.

Miles Miller has been a staple for the Varsity 8+ Boat for the Wildcat Navy for the last two seasons. Miller will continue his academic and rowing career at the College of the Holy Cross.

Miller was a member of the Crew that finished third in the country at the SRAA National Championship.

In his senior fall season, Miller was part of a historic performance with the Varsity 8+ Crew at the Head of the Charles Regatta.

The consistency of Miller is what Head Rowing Coach Dom Santora ’14 notes as a standout in the sport. Every time Miller gets in the boat, he is looking to go faster than he did, pushing his teammates to go the extra mile.

As a senior leader for the Wildcat Navy, the coaching staff looks forward to seeing his hard work, dedication, and speed rub off on the underclassmen who are working their way up through the ranks.

Miller will join former Wildcat Rower Jack Petrus ’22 at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, a Division I program that is consistently competing for a National Championship.

As the Wildcats head into the spring season, Miller will look to continue to be a key member of the Varsity 8+ Boat, defending the Midwest Scholastic Crown and competing for a National Championship in the Spring for the Wildcats.

Carmine Periandri will be continuing his academic and lacrosse career at Wingate University. He will team back up with his older brother Rocco ’23, who is a current freshman for the Bulldogs.

A special season lies ahead for the Wildcat Midfielder, as he was named a team captain before the 2024 season.

Periandri has worked on earning a starting role for the Prep squad after being a member of the Varsity Blue team his sophomore year and being a rotational player his junior season with Prep.

As Head Lacrosse Coach Kyle Bernlohr notes, Periandri is a quiet leader on and off the field and is an integral part of the Wildcats in 2024.

Periandri excels at initiating the offense as a dodging midfielder and is a threat with and without the ball in the offensive zone.

In his junior season on the Prep roster, Periandri was a part of the Regional Championship team that defeated Hudson 11-9 in the Regional Final.

Periandri will compete in the Greater Cleveland Lacrosse All-Star Game in January and will shine. The senior posted a stat line of five goals and two assists. A preview of what he can do on the lacrosse field for the Cats this Spring.

Periandri will compete at the Division II level in the fall at Wingate University in North Carolina and rejoin his brother Rocco.

The Wildcat Big Man stepped on campus as a transfer in his junior year when he moved from Ankeny, Iowa, to Cleveland, Ohio, as his father Daniyal was named the next Head Basketball Coach at Cleveland State University.

Reece Robinson has been a dominant force in the paint for Head Basketball Coach Cam Joyce’s squad.

Robinson immediately began to make an impact on the hardwood for the Wildcats and would be a part of a District Championship team in his junior season.

In the 2022-23 season, Robinson would average 7.1 points per game and a team-leading 4.7 rebounds. Robinson’s potential was on full display against Brush when he recorded his first varsity double-double as a Wildcat, scoring 13 points, and collecting 12 boards.

The end of the regular season is around the corner for the Wildcats, and Robinson has put up some great numbers as he leads the team in rebounds, averaging 8.6. He has also totaled six double-doubles in the 2023-24 season.

Robinson would score a career-high in points in Tampa, FL when he dropped 23 and 12 rebounds against Dallas Jesuit (TX) in the Cookie Garcia Tournament.

Robinson will continue his academic and basketball career at Cleveland State University, a Horizon League Division I program, and play for his father, Daniyal.

A Tribe Leader for the 2024 season will continue his academic and rugby career at the University of Kentucky next fall. Charlie Sizemore has been a member of the Rugby Cats for all four years and has gotten himself into great shape for his senior year.

Sizemore has always been a hard runner and now has great physical characteristics around him to have him excel on the pitch. Sizemore is a versatile player for the Wildcats and has played multiple positions such as Hooker, Flanker and the back line due to his high Rugby IQ playing all four years.

In his junior year, Sizemore saw time on the A-Side squad as a sub but earned his experience on the B-Side in 2023. He would step up in the Midwest Championship when he helped defeat St. Edward, the Avon Swarm (IN) and Penn (IN) for the Midwest Title.

Sizemore was a member of the A-Side and B-Side State Championship teams last season. He also traveled internationally to Japan to play abroad and will be part of the Argentina tour in 2024.

Sizemore played with his older brother Jack ’23 during his time at Saint Ignatius.

Before the end of his junior season, Sizemore started at the National Championship Tournament against Regis Jesuit (CO).

With the 2024 season just around the corner, Sizemore will be an integral piece for the Rugby Cats before heading to the University of Kentucky. He will rejoin current teammate Sam Chaloub at the collegiate level.

When baseball returned to Saint Ignatius, a freshman would showcase his power in a scrimmage game with a home run that gave him the call-up to the varsity squad.

Since his first year, Sawyer Solitaria has been a staple and everyday player for the Wildcats and will continue his academic and baseball career at Kent State University.

Solitaria made an immediate impact when he hit a walk-off single against St. Edward in 2021. He would finish that season with a .309 batting average, knocking in 14 runs batted in. On the mound, he would record 14 innings where he would strike out 12 batters and go 3-0, not allowing a run.

Sophomore year would be a big one for Solitaria in 2022, being a member of the District Champion Wildcats. Solitaria would post a .385 batting average, knocking in 29 runs batted in and hitting four homers. In 43 innings of work on the mound, Solitaria would record a 2.76 ERA, striking out a team-leading 45 batters.

Solitaria would be even better on the mound for his junior season, striking out 46 batters in 34 innings of work with a 1.44 ERA and had a 6-2 record. It would be his best batting season as a Wildcat, having a .402 average, with 25 RBIS and 16 runs.

Solitaria will look to break a couple of program records in 2024. He is 32 hits away from passing Derek Dietrich’s ’07 career hits record. He is also 12 singles away from passing Bryan Conway’s ’08 most career singles record.

A three-year letter award winner for the Basketball Cats will continue his academic and basketball career at the Air Force Academy.

Sam Springer has come into his own for the Wildcats while playing for the Blue and Gold. As a sophomore, Springer was a JV call-up and gained varsity experience in the 2021-22 season. A season in which the Wildcats went to the State Semifinal.

Springer came off the bench in his junior season, backing up the big men in Owen Maruca ’23 and Tristan Marshall ’23.

Springer would average 2.7 points and 2.4 rebounds in limited time in the 2022-23 season.

Springer earned his first varsity start against Villa Angela-St. Joseph in his junior year and would score a career-high 12 points against Benedictine.

As a Jim Skerl #34 Jim Skerl jersey recipient, Springer’s leadership has blossomed in the 2023-24 season as a senior captain. With the regular season coming to a close, Springer is averaging a career-high 9.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

Springer has earned a starting role for the Wildcats at power forward. He notched a career-high 22 points against Maple Heights when he shot 4-of-7 from behind the arc.

Springer is as reliable as they come in the state and will be vital in the Wildcats tournament run in March.

2024 looks to be a breakout season for Mitch Tarnowski, who is entering his second season on the varsity roster and will continue his academic and baseball career at Central Michigan University.

Tarnowski had an impressive JV season as an infielder. As an everyday player, Tarnowski would achieve a batting average of .452. He would have 9 RBIs and 10 runs and made getting on base his bread and butter with a JV team-high base percentage of .541, helping the team finish 20-4-2.

Tarnowski began getting comfortable on the bump during the offseason before his junior season. On the mound for the Wildcats in the 2023 season, Tarnowski would pitch a total of six innings, having an ERA of 2.33 and was a strikeout machine with 11 in limited time at pitcher.

With the bat, Tarnowski saw time in 10 games, recording four singles and five RBIs and four walks.

Tarnowski has had a game-high three strikeouts in two different games, which game against Cane Bay and Strongsville. He would pitch one inning in both games, striking out the side.

As the Baseball Cats prepare for the 2024 season, Tarnowski will look for an elevated role in his senior season before heading to the Mid-American Conference to play Division I baseball at Central Michigan University.

One of the most decorated swimmers in program history will be continuing his academic and swimming career at Cornell University.

At the end of his sophomore year, Toothman qualified for the Summer Junior National Meet in June of 2022.

In his junior season, Toothman was an OHSAA State Runner-up in the 50-yard Free with a time of 20.45 and helped propel the Cats to a respectable fifth-place finish.

Toothman has earned High School All-American honors for his impressive times in the pool.

Outside of Saint Ignatius, Toothman swims year-round for the Lake Erie Silver Dolphins and has qualified for many National Swimming events around the country, including the West Virginia Summer Senior Showdown, where he would compete in the 50-free, 100-free, 200-free, and 100-backstroke.

The calendar has flipped to the postseason for the Aqua Cats, but in the regular season, Toothman put up impressive numbers, which included record-breaking performances in the 200-Free with a time of 1:39.97 and the 50-Free with a time of 20.21.

Toothman is also a member of the National Honor Society and will continue his academic career at the Ivy League at Cornell.