All those car rides, all that financial sacrifice, all of the time that you’ve given to them to allow them to be who they are today. It wouldn’t happen without you.”

PHS Athletic Director Chris Cobain, speaking to parents of the school's star athletes

PORTSMOUTH — There were college jerseys, school-colored balloons and plenty of cameras Thursday afternoon inside the Portsmouth High School library, where family members, teammates and coaches gathered to celebrate eight student-athletes preparing to continue their athletic careers in college.

The spring signing ceremony on May 21 marked a milestone for athletes heading to schools across the Northeast to compete in football, basketball, wrestling, track and cross country.

Before the signings began, athletic director Chris Cobain reminded the students that reaching the college level already places them in a small group.

“You’re now in the 10%,” Cobain told the athletes. “There’s only 10% of you in all of high school that make it to this level. Congratulations.”

But Cobain also stressed that college athletics brings a new level of competition and commitment. “The work’s just begun,” he said.

Cashman Downes signs his papers to wrestle for Johnson & Wales University, where he’ll study business administration.

Jim McGaw

Cobain also turned his attention to the parents and families gathered in the room, thanking them for years of support.

“All those car rides, all that financial sacrifice, all of the time that you’ve given to them to allow them to be who they are today,” he said. “It wouldn’t happen without you.”

Champions and record-holders

Among the athletes recognized was wrestler Cashman Downes, who signed with Johnson & Wales University, where he plans to study business administration.

Cobain noted that Downes was the 150-pound state champion and an All-Stater this year and would soon head to Virginia Nationals to compete against some of the country’s top wrestlers.

Basketball standout Adam Conheeny signed with Wheaton College after helping lead Portsmouth to its first Division I basketball state championship in school history.

Conheeny finished his high school career as Portsmouth’s all-time leading scorer with 1,870 points and earned first-team All-State honors.

“There’s only 10% of you in all of high school that make it to this level,” Portsmouth Athletic Director Chris Cobain told the seniors.

Jim McGaw

Track and field athlete Ethan Durant signed with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he plans to study materials engineering. Cobain described Durant as Portsmouth’s indoor shot put record holder, a national qualifier and an all-division athlete.

Eleni Drosinos signed with St. John Fisher University to compete in cross country and track while studying communications.

Cobain praised Drosinos for balancing multiple sports throughout the year, including cross country, indoor track and hockey.

“That was her winter,” he said.

Ready for next level

Wrestler Chris Duarte signed with Springfield College to study sports management.

Cobain spoke about the demands placed on members of the Aquidneck Island co-op wrestling team, who travel nightly to practice together.

“For any of you that know anything about wrestling,” Cobain said, “it’s a grind.”

Football player Jack Sanderson signed with Endicott College, where he plans to study business after earning second-team All-Division honors during both his junior and senior seasons.

Multi-sport standout Jack Casey signed with The Catholic University of America to play basketball and study political science.

Casey earned All-State honors in soccer and volleyball and helped lead Portsmouth to a Division I basketball state title, earning Division Tournament MVP honors along the way.

Cobain said Catholic University’s nationally competitive basketball program would provide Casey an opportunity to continue developing as a player.

Football standout Jackson Hackley signed with Sacred Heart University to study criminal justice.

Hackley earned first-team All-State and first-team All-Division honors in football. Cobain also praised Hackley’s defensive play during basketball season, calling him one of the toughest defenders in the state.