Haddonfield's Arruda commits to Richmond

Paige Arruda visited many colleges.

Her last trip was her best.

"I just loved the feeling on that campus," Arruda said of her recent visit to the University of Richmond. "I knew it was the right place for me."

Arruda, a senior swimming star at Haddonfield, has committed to Richmond and will swim for the Spiders.

Also, juniors Alana Barry and Julia Osisek of Eastern have made commitments to continue their field hockey careers at Division I programs.

Barry became the fifth Eastern player to commit to Iowa in the last three years, while Osisek committed to James Madison.

Arruda, a versatile swimmer who specializes in the 500 and 200 freestyle, has helped the Bulldogs to three consecutive South Jersey Public B titles and the 2009 Public B state title.

Haddonfield is a strong contender for both crowns again this season.

Arruda, who also swims for the Jersey Wahoos and Wedgewood Swim Club in Haddonfield, said she was attracted to Richmond's size, academic reputation, and improving swim team.

"I go to a small school, and Richmond is a small school," Arruda said. "They have a great liberal arts program, but they are strong in a lot of areas, so I could switch to something else.

"The swimming program is getting better and better, and I could see myself improving as a swimmer along with the team."

Osisek was a top defender for an Eastern team that went 27-1 last season and won its 12th consecutive state Group 4 title. Her decision to attend James Madison was special to Eastern coach Danyle Heilig, a James Madison graduate.

"I look forward to her senior year, but I know she's going to blossom as a 'Duke Dog,' " Heilig said.

Barry is one of the state's top goalies. She had 20 shutouts last season and has 58 for her career.

"Alana got an opportunity this season to demonstrate to the state of New Jersey what an outstanding goalie she is, not just a good goalie with an outstanding team in front of her," Heilig said.

At Iowa, Barry likely will join Eastern graduates Geena Lesiak and Kelsey Mitchell and current Eastern seniors Cori Allen and Brittany Evangelisti, who have committed to Iowa.

Looking ahead to the fall of 2012, when five Eastern players could be on the Hawkeyes' roster, Heilig said, "Needless to say, I'll be taking a trip to Iowa that season."