Today members of the Deerfield community gathered to celebrate 7 student-athletes signing their National Letters of Intent to play Division I collegiate athletics next year. These 7 students include; Cabrel Happi Kamseu (Virginia), Mike Bevino (Colgate), Niko Kvietkus (New Hampshire), DeAndre Byrd (Sacred Heart), Inho Choi (Columbia), Keegan McHugh (Dartmouth), and Josh Stevens (Georgetown).
Click here for NLI Signing Day Photos!
Cabrel Happi Kamseu ’18 – Men’s Soccer
University of Virginia
Arriving on campus this fall as a post-graduate student, the Harare, Zimbabwe native made an immediate impact on the boys varsity soccer team with his ability to score goals. This season, Happi led the Big Green in scoring and points, with his most impressive performance of the season coming in the final game on Choate Day, where Happi netted all 4-goals for Deerfield in the team’s 4-2 victory over the Wild Boars. In total this season, Happi scored 17 goals in 15 games posting a 1.13 goals per game average. For his efforts on the field, Happi was recognized as a Western New England Prep School Soccer Association All-Star and was invited to play in the NEPSSA All-Star game. Upon graduation from Deerfield in May Happi will continue his soccer career at the University of Virginia. The Cavaliers compete in the NCAA Division I ACC Conference. This season the Cavaliers were ACC-Tournament finalists. They were ranked 11th entering the NCAA Tournament earning a 1st round bye and eventually fell to Fordham in the 2nd round.
Mike Bevino ’18 – Football
Colgate University
Bevino joined the Big Green this year as a post-graduate student after graduating from Notre Dame High School (C.T.) in 2017 where he was a dual-sport athlete in football and baseball. This fall Bevino was a captain for the Big Green playing on both sides of the ball as a tight end and defensive end. Bevino was recognized as 1st Team All New England as well as 1st Team All CNEFL. Mike is a dynamic athlete with size and explosion that made him made him a dominant player for the Big Green. After signing his National Letter of Intent on December 20th, Bevino will join the Colgate Raiders in the Patriot League next fall. This fall the Raiders football team went 7-4 and 5-1 in conference to finish in 2nd place in the Patriot League.
Niko Kvietkus ’18 – Football
University of New Hampshire
Kvietkus arrived to Deerfield this fall after a successful career at Xavier High School (C.T.) where was named CHSCA All-State defensive end and picked to the Walter Camp All-Connecticut Team as well as the USA Today All-USA Connecticut Team as an offensive lineman. At Deerfield, he was named captain for the 2017 season and had a tremendous season on both the offensive and defensive lines. Kvietkus was recognized as an All-SCC defensive end and was the 2017 NEPSAC Class A Lineman of the Year. Niko signed his National Letter of Intent to the University of New Hampshire on December 20th. This season the UNH Wildcats qualified for the FCS Playoffs for the 14th consecutive year and came up short in the quarterfinals to South Dakota State.
DeAndre Byrd ’18 – Football
Sacred Heart University
Byrd hails from Peachtree Ridge High School in Georgia where he established himself as a leading tackler on the defensive side of the ball. Byrd is an extremely intelligent football player with sharp instincts and explosion when finishing tackles. He led the Deerfield team as a captain elect as well as being the leader of the defense on the field. Byrd was selected to the 1st Team All CNEFL as a linebacker for his efforts disrupting opponents game plans throughout the fall. Next fall Byrd will join the Sacred Heart Pioneers who compete in the Northeast Conference (NEC) and will undoubtedly continue to make plays on the field through his leaderships and commitment to greatness.
Inho Choi ’18 – Football
Columbia University
Choi came to Deerfield via Winsor, Ontario, Canada where he was a standout defensive back for Team Canada U19. Choi played both defensive back and wide receiver this season for the Big Green. Defensively he led DA in pass break-ups and was a tenacious tackler in the open field. Choi was recognized as a 1st Team All Central New England Football League defensive back. Inho uses his length, quickness and great instincts to shut down opposing offensive threats. Next fall Choi is heading to New York City where he will join Al Bagnoli’s Columbia Lions football team to compete in the Ivy League. Columbia finished 8-2 last fall and finished 2nd place in the Ivy League with a 5-2 league record.
Keegan McHugh ’18 – Football
Dartmouth College
McHugh came to Deerfield from Bel Air High School in Maryland where he was a standout football and lacrosse player. Keegan led Deerfield in rushing yards, touchdowns, explosive plays and was one of the team’s top tacklers on defense. McHugh was recognized as a 1st Team Class A New England player, as well as, a 1st Team All Central New England Football League as a running back. Keegan has a tremendous upside at the next level where he will use his physical slashing running style to impact the Ivy League. Next fall, Keegan will be joining the Dartmouth football program to play for head coach Buddy Teevens ‘75. This season the Dartmouth Big Green went 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the Ivy League, finishing 3rd in the final league standings.
Joshua Stevens ’18 – Football
Georgetown University
Stevens came to Deerfield Academy this fall from St. Stephens Episcopal High School in Bradenton, Florida. Josh possesses the size and athletic ability to be an impact player at the next level. At Deerfield he is also a contributor on the Varsity Basketball team. Josh anchored the left side of the Big Green line this season and was voted 1st Team All CNEFL. Next fall, Stevens take his talents to Washington, D.C. where h will join the Georgetown Hoyas football program in the Patriot League.
Greefield Recorder Article by Jeff Lajoie: 7 Deerfield Academy Athletes sign National Letters of Intent
CONGRATULATIONS!
The Athletic Office will be hosting future National Letter of Intent Signing Day celebrations this year. Please stay tuned as we continue to recognize more of our student-athletes!