Yoder finds right connection at Navy

Pennridge senior felt comfort zone at Naval Academy

Many times, when a recruit visits the United States Naval Academy, they leave feeling a real connection.

When Pennridge senior Sean Yoder finished his official visit to Annapolis, he certainly felt it. Playing basketball in college was always his dream, but Navy offered something more, a different type of challenge that resonated with the drive that got Yoder to that point.

The connection was too much to turn down and on Oct. 13, Yoder announced his commitment to join coach Ed DeChellis and the Midshipmen.

“Once I went down there, I really felt comfortable there,” Yoder said. “I was comfortable with the coaches, the players and the community and to me, that was the most important. You can kind of feel it, you know it’s the right place.”

A 6-foot-2, 180-pound point guard, Yoder will be entering his third season as a varsity starter this winter. Yoder’s strength lies in his wellrounded game. He doesn’t overwhelmingly excel in one area, but he does a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor and has only gotten better with each passing year.

Yoder had just one offer going into his junior campaign but picked up a lot of recruiting steam throughout the high school season and into AAU ball, where he plays for East Coast Power. Marist, Colgate, High Point, Canisius, New Hampshire, Wagner, Vermont, Furman and Campbell all extended offers to the guard along with Navy.

“Part of my personality is always wanting to be better,” Yoder said. “Whether that be a better athlete, a better person and I knew the Naval Academy could challenge me outside my comfort zone, whether it be preparing to serve in the military, athletically playing in the Patriot League, it’s a challenge but something I’m ready to step up to.” YODER >> PAGE 3

DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA FILE PHOTO Pennridge’s Sean Yoder has committed to attend the Naval Academy in the fall.