CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) - Tuesday afternoon, four Corning-Painted Post student-athletes signed to play college athletics at the Division I level.

Deegan Rankin is headed to play lacrosse at the University at Albany. The senior started playing lacrosse when he was in kindergarten but had a stick in his hand much before then. In middle school, Rankin started playing with the 3D Upstate Travel lacrosse club out of Rochester. Rankin joined the Hawks in 9th grade as a starter on junior varsity. The following year, Rankin earned a starting position on the boys varsity lacrosse team. 

"I'm super excited", said Rankin. "I can't wait for it. I hope to just help my team the best I can and get better any way I can and accomplish great things."

Riley Keeler is also headed to UAlbany to play for the Great Danes. Keeler is a four-year starter on the girls varsity lacrosse team at Corning-Painted Post where she plays defense and the midfield position. Keeler was First-Team Defense, Terrific 10 First-Team, and an honorable mention as a newcomer her freshman year. She also played for the Upstate NY American Select Team for three years where she received an honorable mention from Nike Lacrosse. She was also a part of the 2023 Championship team from Upstate, N.Y. Year-round, Keeler played club lacrosse with Monster Elite out of Rochester. Keeler is also a member of the varsity volleyball team.

"I am so beyond excited", said Keeler. "I'm so blessed for this opportunity. Coach Katie gave me a great opportunity to go play my lacrosse, like it's been my dream since I was in kindergarten when I started. So I'm so excited."

Domenic Dinardo signed to play lacrosse at Loyola University Maryland. He is a four-year member of the boys varsity lacrosse team as well as a member of the golf team. Dinardo started his athletic career with the Corning Youth Lacrosse league in first grade and played all the way until he was in 6th grade. After that, Dinardo was also a teammate to Rankin on the 3D Upstate Travel lacrosse club. In 9th grade, Dinardo was named an Empire State All-Star. After dealing with an injury during his sophomore season, Dinardo got right back into the swing of things in 11th grade, being named NYSPHSAA Section IV 1st-Team All-League, All-State Midfielder: 8th-Team, 1st-Team All-STSR Boys Lacrosse All-Star Team and STSR 2024 Terrific 13. 

"Can't wait to see what the next four years of my life have to offer", said Dinardo. "Really looking forward to like making a family with my teammates, and can't wait to see how I fit in."

Jaxyn Mahoney is headed to Canisius College this fall to run DI cross country and track & field. Mahoney has been a three-sport athlete at Corning-Painted Post since 9th grade. In 2022, Mahoney won a team state title in cross country, and has qualified for the New Balance Nationals Indoor in 2024 and 2025. 

"I'm really excited", said Mahoney. "You know I think there's a lot of good to come from this and I hope that you know I'm just as successful there as I was here. To my coaches, my classmates, my parents, all that. Obviously, I'm extremely grateful you. None of this is possible without you guys and I really hope you guys know that I appreciate every day that I spend with you guys and that you guys got me here. I didn't do it alone and I know that."

WENY Sports wishes all four CPP student-athletes good luck on their future athletic careers.