YATESVILLE — Three Pittston Area athletes announced they will be continuing their athletic and academic careers close to home at a ceremony held Thursday at the Cefalo Center.

Brandon Goodlavage announced he will attend King’s College to play football, while Laura Singleton and Alyssa Neare will continue their respective careers on Wilkes University’s women’s lacrosse team.

For Goodlavage, he’s excited to play with some familiar faces.

“It was an easy decision because of the coaching staff and the players,” Goodlavage said about going to King’s. “I know a lot of guys on the team and played with a few of them. I’m excited for another four years.”

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Goodlavage was named honorable mention Wyoming Valley Conference All-Star by the WVC Football Coaches Association last season as an offensive lineman. Battling injury, Goodlavage also played defense, where he finished with 19 tackles and five tackles for loss.

Goodlavage will be pursuing a degree in exercise science and hopes to become a physical therapist.

“I have all the utilities to succeed being close to home,” he said.

Neare is will be studying biology and premed at Wilkes. She chose Wilkes so she can continue to play lacrosse.

“It feels real now, that I’m actually going to play college lacrosse,” she said. “I can’t believe it.”

Singleton said getting this day out of the way is rewarding. She is currently undeclared as far as academics go; however, she hopes to study nursing at Wilkes.

“I wanted to go there because it was close to home and to have the opportunity to play lacrosse,” she said. “It means a lot to me.”

Pittston Area senior Brandon Goodlavage will continue his football career at King’s College. From left, first row, grandmother Celina Toole, Goodlavage, grandfather John Toole. Second row, Pittston Area Principal John Haas, Pittston Area Athletic Director Charlie Turco and Pittston Area Assistant Principal Chris Lazevnick.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Goodlavage.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area senior Brandon Goodlavage will continue his football career at King’s College. From left, first row, grandmother Celina Toole, Goodlavage, grandfather John Toole. Second row, Pittston Area Principal John Haas, Pittston Area Athletic Director Charlie Turco and Pittston Area Assistant Principal Chris Lazevnick. Nick Wagner | Sunday Dispatch

Pittston Area senior Alyssa Neare will continue her lacrosse career at Wilkes University. From left, first row, aunt Cheryl Chilson, Neare and grandmother Carol Neare. Second row, Pittston Area girls lacrosse coach Nicole Tieso, Pittston Area Principal John Haas, Pittston Area Athletic Director Charlie Turco and Pittston Area Assistant Principal Chris Lazevnick.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Neare.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area senior Alyssa Neare will continue her lacrosse career at Wilkes University. From left, first row, aunt Cheryl Chilson, Neare and grandmother Carol Neare. Second row, Pittston Area girls lacrosse coach Nicole Tieso, Pittston Area Principal John Haas, Pittston Area Athletic Director Charlie Turco and Pittston Area Assistant Principal Chris Lazevnick. Nick Wagner | Sunday Dispatch

Pittston Area senior Laura Singleton will continue her lacrosse career at Wilkes University. From left, first row, Pittston Area girls lacrosse coach Nicole Tieso, Singleton and mother Christina Singleton. Second row, Pittston Area Principal John Haas, Pittston Area Athletic Director Charlie Turco and Pittston Area Assistant Principal Chris Lazevnick.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_Singleton.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area senior Laura Singleton will continue her lacrosse career at Wilkes University. From left, first row, Pittston Area girls lacrosse coach Nicole Tieso, Singleton and mother Christina Singleton. Second row, Pittston Area Principal John Haas, Pittston Area Athletic Director Charlie Turco and Pittston Area Assistant Principal Chris Lazevnick. Nick Wagner | Sunday Dispatch

By Nick Wagner

nwagner@timesleader.com

Reach Nick Wagner at 570-991-6406 or on Twitter @Dispatch_Nick