Monahan Named Male Athlete of Year

You don't have to be the Athlete of the Year to attend Ursinus College. Then again, it doesn't hurt.

Kevin Monahan and Jessica Lenzo, the two Hightstown High Athletes of the Year,  have both elected to attend Ursinus.

"It's just a coincidence," Monahan said. "It's a small school, very personalized with the instructors. I like that."

Monahan will also get a chance to continue his football career at the quarterback position, something he did the for past two years at Hightstown High.

"Quarterback is the only position I can ever play," Monahan said. "I'm better at throwing the ball. I don't have a problem being vocal. I also like being able to take things into my own hands if I need."

Monahan stressed that he loves being part of a team, but there are times when the quarterback has to take control out on the field.

"It's come easier over the years," Monahan said. "High school definitely prepared me for college."

Monahan won the MVP for the Hightstown High football team. He and Sam Badillo also won the Football Parents Scholarship.

For baseball, Monahan was given the Donald Murphy Memorial Award.

Monahan came up through the local recreational leagues playing baseball. He was part of both the and the . He also played American Legion and was on a few travel teams.

Monahan concluded his high school baseball career recently by representing Mercer County in the annual Carpenter's Cup, which features all-star teams from around the Philadelphia area.

"That was a lot of fun," Monahan said. "I really enjoyed being around and talking to the guys from the other Mercer schools."

Because he is going to be playing football in the fall, Monahan elected not to play American Legion baseball this summer. He also said he doesn't plan on playing baseball at Ursinus.

"If I really miss it or think I can manage my time well enough to play two sports in college, I'll play baseball again," Monahan noted.

While he isn't sure yet how hard it will be to give up baseball, Monahan knows one thing he'll definitely miss when school starts up again in the fall.

"I'm definitely going to miss Hightstown," Monahan said. "I will  miss my coaches and my friends. It's going to be strange not being there anymore."

Well, at least he'll have one thing from Hightstown High at Ursinus to remind him of home.

"When it comes to me and Jessica, I guess you do [need to be the Hightstown High Athlete of the Year to get into Ursinus]," Monahan said with a laugh.