As the Staples class of 2011 begins to write personal essays, fill out supplements, and begin to really think about where they want to attend college, some student athletes have already chosen a school.

Several varsity athletes­— Greg Gudis ’11, Sean Gallagher ’11, Chris Coyne ’11, Pat Murray ’11, Brendan Lesch ’11, Frankie Bergonzi ’11, and Kip Orban ’11— have all committed to colleges.

Lesch, Bergonzi, and Orban could not be reached for comment before press time.  Lesch and Bergonzi, both varsity soccer players, will be attending the University of Notre Dame and Colgate University, respectively.

Orban, a varsity lacrosse player, will be attending Princeton University.

Chris Coyne

Wide receiver and defensive end Chris Coyne ’11 has been a major part of Staples football over the past three years.

In 2009, he was ranked as the second best defensive player in the state.

Coyne’s football career will continue beyond the Staples field when, in the fall of 2011, he begins his college education at Yale University.

“Around the end of last February, Tom Williams [the head coach] came to talk to me and Pat [Murray],”  Coyne said.  “The entire process, I definitely had the idea that [Yale] was a place I wanted to be.  All the facilities are great; it’s a beautiful place.”

Coyne is attracted to Yale’s strong academics and the strong sense of tradition  that exists in the Yale football program.

Before Coyne goes up the road to New Haven, however, he has big plans for this season of Staples football.

“I want to win state championships, go undefeated, win FCIAC championships.  I’ll be happy with that,” Coyne said.

Pat Murray

Staples football player Pat Murray will also be attending Yale University next year.

Murray, a tight end-linebacker, executed more than 70 tackles and 10 sacks during last season.

Like Coyne, he was attracted to Yale’s strong academics, but added that “the football is great too.”

“Yale is probably the best football school I’ve looked at,” Murray said.

He looks forward to continuing his football career on Yale’s Division I football team, but also has goals for his last season of Staples football.

“I want to go undefeated, win the FCIAC championships, and win the state championships,” Murray said.

Greg Gudis

Greg Gudis ’11 has been a valuable asset to the varsity soccer team, to say the least. When on the field, Gudis is an electric striker, leading the team in goals in 2009. Without him, Staples may not have captured the 2009 State Championship. This past August, he made a commitment to play soccer at the college level, for Columbia University.

“I now  don’t have to worry about the the suspense or pressure surrounding this process,” Gudis said, “but [being committed] will only push me as a student and an athlete to excel much further than I had anticipated because not only do I represent Staples, but I represent Columbia.”

However, Gudis still feels more can be done with his Staples soccer career. Gudis has set the bar high: defend the FCIAC and State titles, and develop the younger players on the team.

Sean Gallagher

Sean Gallagher ’11 has put on a show for Staples fans. In 2009, he was a catalyst for the varsity soccer team. However, his skills extend beyond the soccer field; in 2010, he ran the winning leg of the final relay in the FCIAC Western Division Championships, and in the fall of 2011, Gallagher will take his services to the United States Naval Academy, where he believes can allow him to reach his ultimate goal: to serve as an officer in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps.

Gallagher is excited for the upcoming seasons in Soccer and Track.

“I look forward to finishing my four years at Staples playing and running alongside the same teammates I have had since I was 6,” Gallagher said, “I want to win State Championships and New England titles, however nothing is certain, it will take a lot of hard work to even come close.”