Seniors Megan McCann ’23, Laura Ryan ’23, and Emma Sameth ’23 officially announced their intentions to continue their commitment to athletics in higher education during Oak Knoll’s Spring Signing Day on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, before family members, siblings, faculty, staff, and coaches.

In the fall, six other members of the Class of 2023 committed to athletic competition at the collegiate level by signing National Letters of Intent during the NCAA’s “National Signing Day.”

Athletic Director Kelly Childs summed up the Spring Signing Event by saying, “Parents, thank you all for sharing your daughters with us and on behalf of your daughters, thank you for all the time, the driving, the pasta parties, and everything else you have sacrificed to send your daughters here to Oak Knoll. As Cornelia Connolly said, ‘You must not hide the gifts God has given, but use them in his service.’ Athletes, you have all worked hard in the classroom and the community to earn this opportunity to continue to be student athletes at the next level. We are so excited to follow your journey and wish you the best of luck. Thank you for sharing your talents with us at Oak Knoll, and may you always remember your time as Oak Knoll Royals fondly.”

Megan McCann – Track and Field, Fordham University
McCann has been a four-year member of our varsity spring track and field team, a two-year member of cross country and a three-year member of our varsity winter track. She served as a three-season captain this year. McCann had a competitive fall cross country season, which allowed her to enter the winter season with a great baseline. She now holds the 800 meter and 100 meter indoor track record at Oak Knoll.

McCann qualified for indoor nationals at the Ocean Breeze Elite Invitational when she set the new school 800 meter record. She is also on multiple relay teams that are in the top of Oak Knoll record boards this spring track season. 

On May 5, McCann anchored our 4×800 meter relay to come from behind and defeat one of the state’s highest ranked teams — Union Catholic. She was a key member of Oak Knoll’s recent Penn Relays team. Last year, she was the NJSIAA Non-public A Champion in the high jump, and this winter she won the Prep A Championship in the 800 meter.

McCann is the Editor in Chief of Oak Knoll’s school newspaper “Untucked,” a peer tutor in English and French, and a Writing Center tutor. She is also a writer on the French newsletter and is extremely involved in her church. She also serves on the Overlook Foundation Junior Board, is president of Friendship Bracelet Club, and is a seventh grade peer leader coordinator. 

Laura Ryan – Field Hockey, Williams College
Ryan has been a four-year member of Oak Knoll’s field hockey program along with a two-year member of our track and field program. She was named Second Team All Union County and Second Team All Union/Essex Conference Player, both her junior and senior seasons.

Additionally, Ryan was named a Scholar of Distinction by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. 

Ryan has been a constant for Oak Knoll’s program on the defensive side for many years. When on the field, she is known for defending with skill and speed while consistently outthinking her opponents. Ryan has a reputation for always looking to improve her play and support her teammates, whether it’s off the field, in off-season practice, or a game. The determination, attention to detail, and passion she brings is always apparent and much appreciated by teammates and coaches. 

Ryan is graduating Cum Laude. She’s on the Executive Board of the Writing Center, a French peer tutor, and she served as co-president of the Mental Health Club and the Adventure Club. She serves as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector at Oak Knoll and is the Peer Leader Coordinator this year. She is also a volunteer in Overlook Junior Twig and a member of the Friendship Bracelet Club.

Emma Sameth – Equestrian, Sewanee University of the South
Sameth has been a four-year member of the varsity ice hockey team and has served as a two-year captain. She is a certified EMT as well as certified in water rescue, vehicle extraction, and confined space rescue. 

Sameth spearheaded the entire ice hockey team in getting certified in CPR and AED. She is both the co-founder and co-president of Health Helping Heroes Club. Sameth is a tutor in Oak Knoll’s writing center and outside Oak Knoll she is very involved in service through her church. 

Sameth grew up working on her family horse farm and developing her love of riding. Fellow classmates know Sameth as a talented ice hockey player and captain. She earned herself a permanent spot in the lineup from sophomore year and had an immediate impact on the Oak Knoll offense. She is a prime example that if you want something, you work for it. This mentality earned her a reputation as a difference maker on the team. She is known as a tremendous teammate and leader.

Congratulations to all three of our recent athletic signers. Go Royals!