Seaford High School senior Lindsay Montemarano has signed a national letter of intent to play softball at her dream school – the University of Michigan — next year.
The superstar athlete, who has played the sport with intensity since she was 9-years old, will now set her sights on winning for the Wolverines of the powerful Big Ten Conference and studying kinesiology, sports management or another major that will lead to a coaching career at the university or high school level. Montemarano had initially verbally committed to play at college softball powerhouse UCLA last year.
“Lindsay is the epitome of a scholar-athlete,” said Tom Condon, Seaford’s director of athletics. “She is committed to being the best she can be; she makes all of us proud; she’s a true example of Seaford Pride.”
Ranked 15th in her class, Montemarano is a highly motivated student who is a member of marching band and pep band. She was all-conference track and soccer, and has played volleyball and basketball. A longtime back injury that became aggravated throughout the years almost made her question whether she could play sports again. But after surgery for a herniated disc that was disintegrating her spinal cord, she says she feels better than ever.
“She accomplished a great deal in a short amount of time,” said Seaford softball head coach Rob Perpall. “In terms of her potential, the sky’s the limit; that’s how good she is.”
With a true passion for the sport, Montemarano said, “What I love about the game is that it can change with one swing. I also love how it’s a team sport, but there are opportunities to challenge yourself when you’re at bat and it’s just you and the pitcher.”
Montemarano has competed on a traveling team from the time she began playing and by age 14 she played on the Jersey Inferno Gold travel team and started showcasing for colleges. When she was a sophomore, the Seaford softball team captured the Nassau County Class A title. Now she is aiming even higher.
“Hanging in the gym is a championship flag that has one last spot open for a championship title. I hope to fill it with the state championship title this year,” she beamed.
