Six Christian Brothers Academy athletes committed to continuing their academic and athletic careers at Division I colleges on Wednesday, which marked the first day of the National Letter of Intent early signing period.

Colts representing the Academy's cross country, golf, lacrosse and track teams signed with their chosen institution on Wednesday, with five of those athletes taking part in the ceremony after school at CBA.

"On behalf of the entire CBA community, we are so proud of these young men on this momentous occasion in their educational journey," Director of Athletics Vito Chiaravalloti said. "They have represented our Academy with dignity and pride both in the classroom and in their sport. For them, this day is a celebration of a tremendous amount of hard work, dedication to their talents, and the many sacrifices they have made to be successful."

Drake Anzano (Cross Country & Track, Princeton University), Brendan Bodisch (Track, Bucknell University), Joseph Boyle (Cross Country, LaSalle University), Nicholas Casner (Lacrosse, Siena College), Christopher Gotterup (Golf, Rutgers University), and Noah Yuro (Cross Country, University of Richmond) join the list of CBA Colts who have become Division I athletes. Since Ivy League schools do not sign "letters of intent," Anzano signed a "likely letter" which indicates that he has committed to the application process at Princeton and will attend if accepted.

Anzano, Boyle and Yuro have been a part of a Colts cross country program that has won the New Jersey Meet of Champions in each of the last three years and they have contributed to the national record 350-straight dual meet victories. Anzano won the track Non-Public A state title in the 800m and 1600m events and the Meet of Champions 1600m event last spring as well.

Bodisch, who did not attend the ceremony due to CBA senior retreats, was on the 4x400m team that won both the Non-Public A state title and the Shore Conference Championship last spring.

Gotterup signs with Rutgers after proving he may be the best high school golfer in the state during his junior season. Gotterup, who was named to NJ.com's first team all-state, won the Monmouth County and Shore Conference Championships after leading the Colts to an undefeated regular season.

Finally, Casner led Colts Lacrosse in goals during his junior season, on his way to being named first team all-Shore by the Asbury Park Press.

"These men truly define what it means to be a 'student-athlete,' placing emphasis is on their studies so that they may attend some of the finest universities in our nation," Chiaravalloti continued. "I know they will continue to be successful beyond CBA and we wish them the best of luck in their futures."

CBA will hold National Signing Day ceremonies on February 1st (soccer early signing) and April 12th (regular signing period) as well.