Prantera commits to Mount St. Mary’s
Isaac Prantera took a unique route to arrive at Mount St. Mary’s University.
The 20-year-old defender for the St. Catharines WMKL Junior A Athletics began his NCAA career at the Division 1 university a couple of weeks ago after committing to the school as a second semester mid-year transfer student.
“I planned to go to college in September 2024 but then Mount St. Mary’s gave me a great opportunity to come in as a mid-year student,” Prantera said. “It’s a new coaching staff, great philosophies and a great opportunity and I just couldn’t say no.
“It just felt fitting.”
Nevertheless, the former Sir Winston Churchill student admitted the process was stressful and produced more than a few sleepless nights.
“It was a lot of time thinking. I’ve been going through this process for four years now, this whole recruiting process. It’s been tough. A lot of days and nights thinking where to go and where to commit,” he said.
Prantera began his journey when he transferred from Sir Winston to Blue Ridge School, an all-boys boarding school in Virginia.
“I really wanted to take my academics and lacrosse seriously, especially through COVID,” he said. “They didn’t have many COVID protocols so I could be in the classroom and play lacrosse and keep life as close to normal as I could.”
Prantera enjoyed his time at Blue Ridge and then made another move, this time to Hill Academy, an independent school for student-athletes in Caledon.
“I wanted to play the toughest schedule I could while still being close to home before going away to college,” Prantera said. “I went through the recruiting process while there, visited a bunch of schools.”
An injury then sidelined Prantera who went back to Hill last fall before making his decision.
“I did a bunch of visits in October and November and then this coach gave me an ultimatum, play fall tournaments and see what opportunities come up,” Prantera said.
By late November Prantera needed to make a choice.
“It was decision time and I wondered if I was ready or not but I was very ready,” he said. “It felt right looking at all the different opportunities. Looking at the scholarship and the location and the great academics here and a coaching staff I fully trust and the opportunity they gave me, it just felt right.”
Prantera arrived at St. Mary’s, located in Maryland, a day after his 20th birthday earlier this month and began training camp the next day.
“Training camp started Jan. 6. It’s been two practices and a lift a day since then,” he said.
School stated this week — Prantera is majoring in economics with a minor in sports management — followed by the regular season opener Feb. 3.
“It was very nice having lacrosse for the first few weeks to get into the flow of things and get to know my new brotherhood before classes started. I feel comfortable already and I’m ready to take this thing full on. I’m very glad I made this decision,” he said.
Prantera, who played 10 games for the A’s last summer, is looking forward to the 2024 Junior A season.
“We’ve got something special we’ve been working on since we were kids. It’s on my mind every day,” he said.
A’s general manager Jeff Chcoski is thrilled for Prantera.
“He’s such a nice kid, he works super hard and he’s there for you whenever you need him,” Chcoski said. “For him to be doing what he is doing is really impressive.”
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