Landon Cartwright and David Ponce have each experienced memorable moments while competing in their respective sports during their high school years and they’re looking forward to creating more memories in college.

The talented athletic duo will soon have opportunities to display their skills at the collegiate level, as they each signed National Letters of Intent to play sports at the Division I level.

The Greenwich High School seniors visited the school’s Media Center Wednesday morning, where a ceremony was held, celebrating their decision to play their favorite sport in college.

Cartwright will play Division I soccer at Providence College, which competes in the Big East. Ponce will continue his swimming career at the Division I level at Binghamton University.

“It feels amazing, I’ve been swimming since I was eight and I’ve been in the Greenwich Public School system since I was in pre-K and I’ve seen a lot of college kids come in and go and a lot of my friends have already graduated,” Ponce said. “To be able to be blessed with this opportunity has been very fulfilling for me.”

Greenwich High School Principal Ralph Mayo and Peter Georgiou, who is serving as the school’s Interim Director of Athletics, attended the ceremony, along with each athletes family members.

“It’s super awesome to have it set in stone,” Cartwright said. “Like Mr. Mayo said, I’ve been working my whole life for this, so to have it done it’s really emotional and I can’t wait to get started.”

Cartwright knew Providence College after paying an enjoyable visit to the Rhode Island-based school.

“I was talking to about 20 schools and I wanted to be close to home to where my parents could come see me play,” he said. “The commute isn’t too much, it’s about 2 ½ hours, so that’s a part of it. Also, the athletic facilities and just my visit there was amazing. It’s a great school.”

A center back, Cartwright has played for Beachside Soccer Club located in Bridgeport, for numerous years. His two younger brothers play at Beachside as well.

“The main highlight at Beachside would be captaining my team this year,” Cartwright said. “It’s just really an honor to be captain. Last year we made the national playoffs in Dallas, Texas and we got to compete at the highest level there and that was great too.”

Soccer is a family affair for the Cartwrights. Landon’s father played soccer at William & Mary and his uncle played the sport at Duke University.

“I’m excited for the competition,” said Cartwright, who began playing soccer as a 3-year-old. “Playing in the Big East will be so fun and hopefully, playing in the NCAA Tournament.”

Ponce began swimming with the YMCA of Greenwich Marlins swim team an 8-year-old and for the past four years has been competing with the Stamford Sailfish Aquatic Club, where he’s been coached by Connie Wu.

“She (Wu) has coached a lot of great talent over the years,” Ponce said. “She’s worked with me, I wasn’t as fast and my technique was pretty sloppy and over the span of five years and she’s built me to where I am and to be in this position. I owe a lot of my success to her.”

An All-American swimmer, Ponce recently won the 100 backstroke at the 2022 Connecticut Senior Swimming Championships. He also enjoys swimming the sprint freestyle events.

“The 2 back is my favorite event,” he said. “It’s longer and I’ve always enjoyed it.”

With his senior year at Greenwich coming to a close soon, he’s looking forward to beginning the next chapter of his academic and athletic career.

“The atmosphere at the collegiate level is a little different,” Ponce said. “You hang out with the team and you are living with them. So the brotherhood that exists and building those friendships is what I’m looking forward to the most.”