Sierra Blanton, John Accardo, Francis Keneally and Lily Beattie

Four Wildcats sign National Letters of Intent for Division I schools

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On Monday November 20th, four Warwick Wildcats signed National Letters of Intent, a form completed by student-athletes that indicates their commitment to play sports at NCAA colleges and universities.

Congratulations to Sierra Blanton, John Accardo, Francis Keneally and Lily Beattie.

Sierra Blanton

Warwick Senior Soccer – Lacrosse Athlete

National Letter of Intent to attend East Carolina University of Greenville, North Carolina.   Recruited to play defense for the NCAA Division I  East Carolina Pirates of the American Athletic Conference.  East Carolina competes against University of Florida, JMU, Cincinnati and Temple. Sierra was recruited by head coach Brittany Dipper.  She chose ECU over UMASS Lowell and Slippery Rock. She expects to major in Business Administration.

Career Highlights

  • Three-time Section IX Champion
  • First Team All Section selection for lacrosse 2022
  • 2024 team Captain 

Academic Accomplishments

  • Weighted Grade Point Average of 94.6
  • National Honor Society, NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete for soccer and lacrosse
  • Volunteer for Warwick Youth Soccer

Parents: Eric & Mandy Blanton   Sisters: Skyler, Reece and Payton

John Accardo

Warwick Senior Football, Wrestler and Lacrosse Athlete

National Letter of Intent to Siena College in Loudonville, New York, to play lacrosse for the Siena Saints . Siena competes in the NCAA Division I  Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Other member schools include Sacred Heart University, Fairfield University, Marist and Wagner. John was recruited by Assistant Lacrosse Coach Derrick Eccles as defender. He chose Siena over Wagner College and Tampa University.  He plans to major in Physical Therapy and Sport Science.  

Career Highlights

  • All Section Selection in football and lacrosse (3 season Captain- football, wrestling, lacrosse)
  • 3 year varsity lacrosse player and starter long-stick midfielder
  • 66% face off win percentage as a sophomore
  • Created over 80 turnovers as defensive specialist

 Academic Accomplishments

  • Grade point average 92% , NYSPHSAA Six time Scholar – Athlete
  • National Honor Society inductee
  • Sports Medicine Club, SADD, FBLA, Autism Awareness Club 

Parents: Margaret and Thomas Accardo  Brother: Michael (‘24) and Luke (Junior at Florida Gulf Coast)  

Francis Keneally

Warwick Senior Lacrosse Athlete  

National Letter of Intent to play lacrosse at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut.  Recruited to the NCAA Division I Yale University Bulldogs of the IvyY league and will compete against schools such as Harvard, Princeton, Brown and Dartmouth. Francis was recruited by head coach Andy Shay as a long stick midfielder and defender.  He chose Yale University over Princeton, Brown and Rutgers.  He plans to major in economics.

 Career Highlights

  • 4  Year varsity lacrosse starter and 2 year team captain
  • Section IX boys lacrosse Player of the Year 2022
  • All Section Selection long stick midfielder 2021, 2022 and 2023
  • Received 4 star recruit rating from Inside Lacrosse Magazine 

Academic Accomplishments

  • National Honor Society President 
  • 4 Year NYSPHAA Scholar Athlete  
  • Youth lacrosse volunteer

Parents: Melissa and Timothy Keneally  Brother: Daniel

Lily Beattie

Warwick Senior Track and Field Athlete

National Letter of Intent to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)in Oxford, Mississippi. 

Ole Miss is a Division I school that competes in the Southeast Conference (SEC) , likely the top athletic conference in the country.  Other member schools include Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Vanderbilt .  Lily was recruited by Brian Porter (pole vault coach).  Other colleges in consideration were Vanderbilt and University of North Carolina.  She plans to study Exercise Science.  

Career Highlights

  • ALL American 2023 Indoor Pole Vault (Personal Best 13’ ½”)
  • ALL America 2023 Sprint Medley Relay (200 Leg) 
  • NYSPHSAA Silver Medal Division I Pole Vault 2023

Academic Accomplishments

  • Overall GPA of 101.53 weighted average (top 6 %) 
  • National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society
  • NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete and varsity athlete since 7th grade

Parents:  Melanie and Rich Beattie   Siblings:  Luke (State Champ Pole Vault 2023 Spring)