Emma McLaughlin and Becky Gerhart spent the last four seasons as teammates on Quakertown's field hockey team.

Their next meeting on the hockey field, next fall, will be as opponents. McLaughlin says she knows what the outcome will be.

        "Villanova is going to win," she said.

        On Thursday, Nov. 19, five seniors announced their intent to extend their athletic careers beyond high school.

        McLaughlin will play hockey at Villanova University, and Gerhart will attend Temple University.

        Spenser Gray will continue her softball career at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Meghan Klee, her Panthers teammate, has committed to Shippensburg University.

Tyler Guidos, a catcher on Quakertown's baseball team, will continue to play at Mansfield University.

        "This is a very special day for all these athletes," Athletic Director Sylvia Kalasz said during her introduction to the news conference at the school. "I'd like to congratulate all of you on your choices."

        Playing under first-year head coach Diana Molinaro, McLaughlin and Gerhart were each named to the Continental Conference's first team.

        McLaughlin, who finished her senior season with 16 goals, competed in Sunday's 2015 Philafieldhockey.com Senior All-Star Game at Christopher Dock High School in Towamencin.

        "You were a force on attack," Molinaro told McLaughlin. "I'm sure you had a lot of defenses scared. Emma has incredibly fast hands."

        Gerhart ended the season with 14 goals and 14 assists. Molinaro called the midfielder a valuable four-year player for the Panthers, who finished the season 4-10 in the conference and 6-12 overall.

        "I see Becky as an incredible athlete who is incredibly fit," the coach said. "She is going to bring a lot of energy to the Temple program."

        Asked a question from an audience member about the possibility of playing against McLaughlin, Gerhart nodded and said she was looking forward to meeting next fall.

        "Emma is really competitive," Gerhart said. "We'll see how it goes."

        McLaughlin offered a more definitive answer, saying the Wildcats will beat Gerhart's Owls. The response solicited a roar of laughter from the audience inside the school's library.

        "I'm just kidding," McLaughlin said a few seconds later.

        "No, you're not," said a person sitting to McLaughlin's right side.

        Gerhart referenced the team's season-ending 4-2 victory over Pennridge, in which the Panthers rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit, as a highlight.

        "We worked together and played as a team to win," she said. "It was very exciting."

        McLaughlin called Quakertown's appearance in the District One Class 3A playoffs in 2014 a career highlight.

        "I learned that if you work hard, good things will happen," she said.

        Gray, a third baseman, was named to the Continental Conference's second team this past spring while helping the Panthers to a 9-9 overall record.

        Coach Rich Scott described Gray as a player with great speed, a hard worker and extremely dedicated to her sport.

        "Spenser has the will to win," Scott said.

        Gray, who cited a win over North Penn during her freshman season as a highlight, has learned not to dwell on the past.

        "If something goes wrong, I have figured out how to push it aside and move forward," she said.

Klee, a third-team selection at shortstop last season, has learned that nothing comes easy.

        "Tears are normal," said Klee, who wants to eventually teach elementary school students.

        Guidos, a catcher, earned honorable mention honors during his junior season. Head coach Jon Pallone called his defensive skills his best strength.

        "I'd describe Tyler as a baseball head," Pallone said.

        Last spring, when the Panthers needed pitching, Guidos provided significant innings on the mound, according to the coach.

        "Tyler really stepped up," the coach said.

        Guidos has learned to control his attitude on the field. He said that learning to deal with adversity on the field has allowed him to focus on performing at a high level.

        "I'm pretty competitive," Guidos said.