Sewickley Academy’s Nocito to play golf at Hamilton

By: HSSN Staff
Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | 11:03 AM

Will Nocito had much success recently as a senior on the Sewickley Academy boys tennis team, but will play another sport in college.

Nocito committed to the Hamilton men's golf team.

Hamilton, which is in upstate New York, is one of 11 liberal arts schools that compose the New England Small College Athletic Conference. Among other members are Williams, Amherst and Middlebury.

Nocito said Hamilton is in one of the best NCAA Division III conferences in the country.

“The golf program is up-and-coming,” he said. “I am really excited.”

The Continentals last made the conference tournament in 2015-16, when they came in fourth for the second consecutive season.

Hamilton coach Lauren Cupp expects Nocito to have an immediate impact.

“Will's experience as a successful high school athlete on the course and court will be invaluable,” she said.

Nocito teamed with Dylan Parda for WPIAL and PIAA Class AA boys doubles tennis titles in May. He helped the Panthers to their 15th consecutive WPIAL title and a second-place finish at the PIAA team championship.

In golf last fall, he placed fifth at the WPIAL Class AA boys individual championship and advanced to states at a regional qualifier. He led the Panthers to their fifth consecutive WPIAL crown and their second PIAA title in three seasons.

Nocito, who is 6-foot-2, also was a member of the Panther boys basketball squad that repeated as WPIAL Class AA champion and made it to the PIAA semifinals over the winter.

“Will had an amazing career,” said Sewickley Academy athletic director and boys golf and basketball coach Win Palmer. “His golf career began in ninth grade when he went on our preseason golf camp.

“His potential for improvement in college is immense.”

Nocito, who plans to study mathematics and economics, said his college decision came down to the wire. He also considered Colorado College, Rochester, Swarthmore and Bowdoin.

“It was the close-knit community that put Hamilton above every other college,” he said.

Parda is considering walking on to the Dayton men's tennis team.

“If the varsity program isn't the right fit for me, I'll definitely continue my tennis (career) in the club tennis program,” he said.

Karen Kadilak is a freelance writer.

Tags: Sewickley Academy