By Maria Riegel, Special Writer
South Brunswick High School seniors and four-year varsity girls’ track athletes Cayla DelPiano and Alicia Osley will be going to their respective colleges in the fall with athletic scholarships.
Cayla, a distance runner, accepted a 50 percent athletic scholarship for the University of Pittsburgh and track sprinter Alicia committed to a full combined athletic and academic scholarship to Northern Illinois University.
Both girls signed with the Division I schools for track last week, according to both Cayla and Alicia.
Cayla said she also had track scholarship offers from Clemson University, East Carolina University, William and Mary and UNC Charlotte but she chose Pittsburgh because of her stronger bond with her future teammates.
"I fit in with the team and the coach is really nice." Cayla said. "I also really like the campus surroundings."
Cayla said she believes that SBHS Head Ccoach Stefan Moorhead definitely trained her well by pushing her to do things she would not normally try. He has also given her advice on college running which she said she would use next year at Pittsburgh.
In addition to Mr. Moorehead supporting her track career, Cayla said that her "parents are excited and proud because it’s something I’ve worked so hard for."
"I think (the scholarship is) great because I’ve been running my whole life," Cayla said. "I’ve been running since I was seven years old and it is great to know I have achieved running at a college level."
Alicia said she was offered multiple track scholarships from Eastern Michigan University, the University of Akron, Georgetown, Wake Forest and Villanova. She chose Northern Illinois because of the overall atmosphere of the campus and track team.
"When I went on my visit I really liked the campus, loved the coach, and really got along with the team," Alicia said.
Alicia said that Mr. Moorhead has always guided her in the right direction and helped her progress as a runner.
"(The scholarship) was really exciting and I was really happy," Alicia said.
Mr. Moorhead said that both Cayla and Alicia have contributed to the teams’ many successes the past four years they have been on varsity. He said that for the past four consecutive years they have been on the team, girls track has won GMC’s and Central Jersey Championships.
Mr. Moorhead also said that based on their track abilities performed at SBHS, he believes that both girls can handle the pressure of a college track team because of their work ethics.
"They are both very talented and very hard workers," Mr. Moorhead said. "I believe they will be challenged and I am looking forward to seeing what they will do in college."
Both Cayla and Alicia have positively contributed to the varsity team individually according to Mr. Moorhead.
"Cayla is a tremendously hard worker and likes to push herself," Mr. Moorhead said. He said she is always working hard and is a huge contributor to the teams’ success.
Alicia and Cayla are both role models to the underclassmen according to Mr. Moorhead.
"Alicia is someone who sets goals for herself and is very determined and motivated athlete," Mr. Moorhead said. "She is the main senior leader for the sprinters right now."
Mr. Moorhead said that both schools the girls are attending are high profile schools for track and have been recognized for their records.
"We will miss them both when they leave," Mr. Moorhead said. "They are both great people in addition to their athletic abilities."
Cayla, a distance runner, accepted a 50 percent athletic scholarship for the University of Pittsburgh and track sprinter Alicia committed to a full combined athletic and academic scholarship to Northern Illinois University.
Both girls signed with the Division I schools for track last week, according to both Cayla and Alicia.
Cayla said she also had track scholarship offers from Clemson University, East Carolina University, William and Mary and UNC Charlotte but she chose Pittsburgh because of her stronger bond with her future teammates.
"I fit in with the team and the coach is really nice." Cayla said. "I also really like the campus surroundings."
Cayla said she believes that SBHS Head Ccoach Stefan Moorhead definitely trained her well by pushing her to do things she would not normally try. He has also given her advice on college running which she said she would use next year at Pittsburgh.
In addition to Mr. Moorehead supporting her track career, Cayla said that her "parents are excited and proud because it’s something I’ve worked so hard for."
"I think (the scholarship is) great because I’ve been running my whole life," Cayla said. "I’ve been running since I was seven years old and it is great to know I have achieved running at a college level."
Alicia said she was offered multiple track scholarships from Eastern Michigan University, the University of Akron, Georgetown, Wake Forest and Villanova. She chose Northern Illinois because of the overall atmosphere of the campus and track team.
"When I went on my visit I really liked the campus, loved the coach, and really got along with the team," Alicia said.
Alicia said that Mr. Moorhead has always guided her in the right direction and helped her progress as a runner.
"(The scholarship) was really exciting and I was really happy," Alicia said.
Mr. Moorhead said that both Cayla and Alicia have contributed to the teams’ many successes the past four years they have been on varsity. He said that for the past four consecutive years they have been on the team, girls track has won GMC’s and Central Jersey Championships.
Mr. Moorhead also said that based on their track abilities performed at SBHS, he believes that both girls can handle the pressure of a college track team because of their work ethics.
"They are both very talented and very hard workers," Mr. Moorhead said. "I believe they will be challenged and I am looking forward to seeing what they will do in college."
Both Cayla and Alicia have positively contributed to the varsity team individually according to Mr. Moorhead.
"Cayla is a tremendously hard worker and likes to push herself," Mr. Moorhead said. He said she is always working hard and is a huge contributor to the teams’ success.
Alicia and Cayla are both role models to the underclassmen according to Mr. Moorhead.
"Alicia is someone who sets goals for herself and is very determined and motivated athlete," Mr. Moorhead said. "She is the main senior leader for the sprinters right now."
Mr. Moorhead said that both schools the girls are attending are high profile schools for track and have been recognized for their records.
"We will miss them both when they leave," Mr. Moorhead said. "They are both great people in addition to their athletic abilities."

