Cal U athletics will be recognizing senior student-athletes virtually as a way to celebrate the seniors that were unable to have their traditional recognition this spring.

GRANT BARRACCHINI
• Hometown: Beaver, Pa.
• High School: Beaver
• Parents: Dominic and Amanda Barracchini
• Major: Professional Golf Management

Why did you chose to become a Vulcan?
I chose to become and stay a Vulcan because of the amazing people I met here and the opportunity to study what I love and compete in golf – nothing beats that. Cal U will always have a place in my heart.

What are you taking away from this unique situation?
I’m taking away the fact that it’s an opportunity. An opportunity to focus on myself and really work hard on making myself into the person I want to be and to be a better person for other people.

What was your favorite moment as a student-athlete at Cal U?
My favorite moment most certainly was winning as a team at our tournament in Crofton [spring 2018]!

What will you miss most about Cal U Golf?
I will miss playing and competing with some really cool people! I enjoyed all the chirping, competition and fun we had on the golf course on a daily basis.

AUSTIN SMITH
• Hometown: Montrose, Pa.
• High School: Montrose
• Parents: John Smith and Kathy Pierce
• Major: Professional Golf Management

What advice would you give to incoming freshmen about college athletics?
Trust yourself and listen to your coaches.

What was your proudest athletic achievement at Cal U?
My proudest athletic achievement was winning the West Chester Invitational [spring 2018] and shooting the course record, two-over 142.

What will you miss most about Cal U Golf?
The road trips, the friends and playing competitive golf.

What was the best part of being a student-athlete at Cal U?
The best part of my experience were the memories I created over the years I attended Cal U.

RYAN SMITH
• Hometown: Hamburg, Pa.
• High School: Hamburg
• Parents: Jeffrey and Vicki Smith
• Major: Professional Golf Management

What are you taking away from this unique situation?
My takeaway from this situation is that life is full of surprises, some good and some bad. It’s how you react to things you can’t control that defines who you are as a person.

What will you miss most about Cal U Golf?
I will miss putting in the work to prepare for a tournament and competing for myself and my team. The thrill of competing is something I love more than almost anything.

What advice would you give to incoming freshmen about college athletics?
My advice for incoming freshmen is to not take a single day for granted because they are limited. This is most likely the last time you will play an organized sport so take every day to get 1% better.

What was your proudest athletic achievement at Cal U?
My proudest athletic achievement at Cal U was walking onto the men’s golf team as a sophomore and playing in the number one slot the entire time I was on the team after being cut my freshman year. It showed the work I put in paid off.