Pace Seniors Make College Commitments

From Patch Reports

seniors Haley Zwecker and James Rushton have committed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level, according to an annoucnment from the Buckhead school.

Zwecker will play basketball for Amherst College’s Lord Jeffs, the defending NCAA Division III champions, while Rushton will join the Quakers, the University of Pennsylvania’s men’s soccer team.

A point guard, Zwecker helped lead the Knights to a second-place finish in the 2011 Class A tournament. During the 2010-2011 season, she had 354 points and set a school record with 188 assists. Zwecker was named to 2011 Georgia Athletic Coaches Association All-State First Team, to the Region 5-A All-Region Team and to the Macon Christmas Tournament All-Tournament Team.

"Haley is a savvy point guard who is leaving a remarkable legacy at Pace,”  Knights Head Coach Regina Tate said in a statement. “She plays by instincts that were laid during her days of playing against boys in the leagues of her youth.

"I am honored to have had the opportunity to coach a young lady who allowed me to truly get to know her as an athlete and a person. Haley cares deeply for her teammates, her family, her academics and her sport participation."

Zwecker also plays varsity soccer for the Knights and is this year’s team captain. She was named to the 2010 and 2011 All-Area Teams and received the 2010 Playmaker Award.

Rushton, the Knights’ center midfielder, was part of the 2011 area championship team that reached the Final Four with a 14-3 record. Last season, he had 14 goals and eight assists, including a hat trick against Athens Academy and two goals in a 3-1 victory over Class AAA’s . He was named to the All-Area Team in 2011.

"James is a talented player who has a unique understanding of the game,” says Knights Head Coach Brooks Fleming. “He can truly dictate the flow of a match through his style of play and skills. His presence in the midfield will be greatly missed next year."