Although many colleges are wrapping up their regular seasons, Hen Hud and Peekskill graduates continue to shine — proving exactly why they’ve earned their place at the next level.

Here’s a look at recent collegiate achievements from former Red Devils and Sailors:

Did we miss someone? Reach out to [email protected] so we can continue recognizing all alumni competing at the collegiate level.

PEEKSKILL

Kiara Mercado — Villa Maria College (Flag Football)

Mercado (Peekskill ‘22) delivered a standout performance on Sunday, April 26, accounting for five total touchdowns in dominant victories over D’Youville University (57-14) and Daemen University (66-6). Her scoring plays highlighted her versatility: one rushing touchdown, one punt return, one receiving touchdown, and two pick-sixes. Defensively, she added 13 tackles across the doubleheader.

The games also marked Senior Day, where Mercado and two fellow seniors were honored for their contributions to Villa Maria’s flag football program. A transfer from Siena Heights University, Mercado has made an immediate impact in her debut season with the Vikings, emerging as a consistent, all-around contributor.

Villa Maria and Mercado will next compete in the National Collegiate Flag Football League (NCFFL) Championship Tournament on May 2-3 at the Capelli Sports Complex in Tinton Falls, New Jersey.

HEN HUD

Maddy Porter — Eastern Michigan University (Women’s Lacrosse)

Eastern Michigan goalkeeper Maddy Porter (Hen Hud ‘23) recorded 11 saves in a 16-4 win over Youngstown State University on April 25 to close out the regular season.

Porter’s 11 saves tied for the fifth-highest total against a Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponent in program history. It also marked the seventh time this season — and the 19th time in her career — that she has reached double-digit saves. She now has 153 saves on the year, becoming the second consecutive season she has surpassed 150, after setting a program record with 179 saves in 2025.

Against Youngstown State, Porter also added four ground balls, bringing her season total to 66 and her career mark to 200. According to Eastern Michigan Athletics, her 66 ground balls are the second-most in a single season in program history, trailing only her own record of 71 set last year. She has now recorded 60 or more ground balls in three straight seasons and is the only player in program history to reach 75, 100, 125, 150, 175, and now 200 career ground balls.

Eastern Michigan, which finished 5-2 in conference play (10-6 overall), has qualified for the 2026 Mid-American Conference Tournament at Joe Walton Stadium in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. The No. 3-seeded Eagles will face No. 2 Akron at 2 p.m. on April 30 in the semifinals, with the game streaming live on ESPN+. The winner will advance to the championship on May 2 to play either No. 1 Massachusetts or No. 4 Robert Morris.

Jordan Porter — Missouri Western State University (Women’s Lacrosse)

On April 26, Porter (Hen Hud ‘22) and nine fellow seniors were honored on Senior Day following a 16-10 victory over Lewis University.

Despite limited playing time during her senior season, Porter has been a dependable presence in the midfield for Missouri Western over the past two years. In 2024, she started all 17 games, recording 23 points along with 21 ground balls and eight caused turnovers. The previous year, she earned All-Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) honorable mention honors after tallying 21 goals and 10 assists.

In January, Missouri Western’s head coach Jessica Berg told the Peekskill Herald that Porter has “made a big impact on the team” and is someone “the team can rely on to compete and bring her best every day.”

No. 4 seed Missouri Western will travel to face No. 1 seed Indianapolis on May 1, in the opening round of the GLVC Tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana. Game time is still to be determined.

Mackenzie Porter — William Jewel College (Women’s Lacrosse)

Porter (Hen Hud ‘18) finished her first season as William Jewell women’s lacrosse head coach on April 26 with a 19-13 loss to McKendree University. The Cardinals finished the season 1-13 overall and 0-7 in Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) play.

Porter, a former goalie at Missouri Western, was assisted on the sidelines by assistant coaches Samantha Pruitt and Robert Porter (her father and Hen Hud’s head girls lacrosse coach).

Colleen Ryan — University of Florida (Women’s Lacrosse)

Florida defeated UC Davis, 19-6, on April 25 to claim the Big 12 regular season championship. Following the game, the Gators honored their 10 seniors, including defender Colleen Ryan (Hen Hud ‘22). Prior to joining Florida in 2025 as a redshirt sophomore, Ryan spent one season at Arizona State and one at Stony Brook.

Katherine Couch — Meredith College (Women’s Lacrosse)

After a standout season at Meredith, Couch (Hen Hud ‘23) recently earned First Team All-Conference honors.

She anchored Meredith’s defense during a dominant 2026 campaign in which the team went 9-0 in USA South play and captured its 20th conference championship. Couch finished conference play with 20 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers, ending the season with 46 ground balls and 30 caused turnovers overall.

“Her field awareness, toughness, and reliability make her a steady presence on the back line, consistently creating transition opportunities and momentum shifts,” Meredith College athletics noted.

Lindsay Tellez — SUNY Geneseo (Track and Field)

At the RIT Bill Q Invitational on April 24, Tellez (Hen Hud ‘24) led the women’s track and field team with a strong performance, winning the 200-meter dash in 25.37 seconds. She also placed second in the 100-meter dash, finishing in 12.47 seconds.

Karli Martin — Vermont State University Castleton (Track and Field) 

Karli Martin (Hen Hud ‘23) earned a third-place podium finish in the hammer throw at the 2026 Little East Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships on April 25. Her mark of 44.13 meters was both a personal best and a new program record. The junior captain previously set the record on April 10 with a 44.05-meter throw at the RPI Under the Lights Invitational, a performance that also qualified her for the New England Track & Field Championships.

In addition to her athletic achievements, Martin serves as co-president of the Castleton Physical and Health Education Club. She was recently recognized at the 2026 SHAPE Vermont Annual Conference, receiving the Outstanding Future Professional Award. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in physical education, with plans to become a physical education teacher.

Martin and her fellow qualifying Spartans will compete at the New England Track & Field Championships in Springfield, Massachusetts, on May 1.

Stella Allen — Skidmore College (Riding)

Allen and members of the Skidmore College co-ed riding team are set to compete in the IHSA National Championships in Tryon, North Carolina, from May 1-3. Allen will compete in the individual novice division after earning first place in the novice division at the Zone 2 Finals on April 4.

Michael Gagliardi — Susquehanna University (Baseball)

In a 5-2 victory over Scranton on April 24, Gagliardi (Hen Hud ‘23) went 3-for-5 at the plate with 1 run scored and 2 RBIs. He added extra-base power with a double and a triple, while also contributing defensively with 1 putout and 4 assists.

On April 26, Susquehanna dropped the opening game to Scranton, 8-1, but responded in game two with a 6-5 win. Gagliardi again played a key role, finishing 3-for-5 and scoring 1 run, with 1 strikeout, 2 putouts, and 4 assists in the field.

Susquehanna currently sits second in the Landmark Conference standings, holding a 15-8 league record and 24-14 overall.

Giovanni Gioio — Vermont State University Castleton (Wrestling)

The Vermont State University Castleton wrestling team recently had 23 individuals named to the NEWA All-Academic Team. Among them was Giovanni Gioio (Hen Hud ‘24), a former Sailor who is now a Castleton sophomore wrestler competing at 149 pounds.