Three student-athletes from Williamson High School are taking their talents to the next level — and making history in the process.

Kate Campbell, Kendall Fernaays, and Madison Nuessle each signed to play collegiate sports, representing basketball, soccer, and flag football respectively. Their journeys have been marked by resilience, success, and trailblazing determination, earning recognition from across Section V and beyond.

Kate Campbell – Basketball, Clarkson University

After a standout career on the court, senior Kate Campbell will head to Clarkson University to study physical therapy and play basketball at the collegiate level. Her decision to pursue physical therapy was deeply personal — the result of overcoming her own injury during the season.

“I went through the recovery process and realized how much of a difference it made,” Campbell said in an interview with Primetime 585. “I want to be able to give that back, especially to high school athletes going through the same thing.”

Campbell said Clarkson’s welcoming campus and academic strength sealed the deal. “It just felt like a place where I could grow and set myself up well for the future,” she said.

Kendall Fernaays – Soccer, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

A dual-sport star in soccer and track and field, Kendall Fernaays signed to play soccer at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Known for her powerful leg and unwavering drive, Fernaays helped lead Williamson’s soccer team to a Section V championship this past fall, avenging a tough loss the previous year.

“I just remember finishing double overtime and thinking we lost,” Fernaays recalled. “I came off the field crying, and Coach Sarah came up to me and said, ‘Kendall, we won.’ It was surreal — I started crying again, but this time out of joy.”

Fernaays credited her coaches for helping her reach this point. “They’ve been with us since we were young — during summer soccer, indoor track — always pushing us to be better. It’s because of them I’m here,” she said.

Madison Nuessle – Flag Football, Mercyhurst University

Madison Nuessle is making Williamson and Section V history by becoming the highest flag football recruit in the region, signing to play at Mercyhurst University, a Division II program. Her scholarship is a testament to both her athletic skill and her pioneering role in growing the sport at the high school level.

“When I first tried flag football, it was just for fun with my friends,” Nuessle said. “I had no idea it would turn into something this big. One small decision to try something new completely changed my life.”

Nuessle, the only senior on her team and one of its original players, has been instrumental in building the program at Williamson. As the sport has exploded in popularity across the state — growing from 8 teams to 39 in just three years — Nuessle stands as an example of what’s possible.

Her advice for younger athletes: “Do it for yourself. Don’t let a coach or a teammate decide whether you should keep playing. Focus on your own love for the sport — that’s what will take you far.”

These three athletes not only brought success to Williamson’s sports programs — from sectional titles to new frontiers — but also inspired others to chase big dreams. Their signings mark a proud moment for the school, the community, and Section V athletics.

As Primetime 585 put it, “History is in the making at Williamson.”