Ulmer, Katz make fitting college choices
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville North seniors Kerry Ulmer and Jake Katz, sitting, signed National Letter of Intents for Canisius College and Binghamton University, respectively, on Thursday in the North gymnasium. Standing far left are Kerry's parents, Steve and Betsy, Katz's grandparents, Judy and Len, and his parents, Susan and Jeffery. Photo by Joe Eberle

When it came time to pick a college, Williamsville North's Kerry Ulmer and Jake Katz chose schools where they would fit the best.

Ulmer and Katz signed their National Letter of Intents with Canisius College and Binghamton University, respectively, Thursday in the North gymnasium.

Ulmer, a Second Team ECIC Division I all-star who was a member of the Amherst Lightning Gold PONY 16U national champion team during the summer, is the front runner for the starting first baseman position at Canisius, winners of the 2006 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular season title, for the 2007-08 season. If Katz, the 2006 Section VI champion, plays well at Binghamton, there's a good chance he will compete at the NCAA Championships.

Ulmer, Katz and their coaches feel the correct college choices were made.

"I liked the size of Canisius, that it's close to home and that they have one of the top softball teams in the Northeast," said Ulmer who was also looking at University at Buffalo and Cortland State College. "During my official visit, I stayed with one of the girls. They're all really nice, fun and seemed to be really dedicated to playing softball and so am I. I think I'll definitely fit in."

"I think she'll fit in very well," added North softball coach Rick Bubar. "She's a very powerful athlete and tall and strong and his (Canisius coach Mike Rappl) current first baseman (Jamie Gerace) is a senior so that bodes well for her. I think she has the opportunity to step in and be an immediate contributor."

"The level of softball Kerry's played over the last two summers as well as the high school seasons has certainly prepared her," he added. "She's seen elite competition and being a member of the PONY National winning team, she's seen the best that the country has to offer."

Rappl said Ulmer (5-foot-10) is a natural at first base.

"Her defense is outstanding plus you have that nice tall target," he said. "She's a got a solid glove and can do a complete split at first but only does it instinctively when she needs it for a fast runner or close play... (At the plate), she makes quality at-bats and good contact. She has surprising power too. She can rip the ball. Plus she's a great kid and fits in with the team. Everyone on the team liked her on her visit. She's mature for her age and a good student. She's the total package."

Ulmer also chose Canisius for its strong athletic training program in the hopes of becoming a physician's assistant in orthopedics.

Because of an injury, Ulmer, a co-captain, only played 23 high school games her junior year but still batted .359 with an on-base percentage of .429 with 15 RBIs. With her travel team in 2005, she hit .386 with a .454 on-base percentage, 10 doubles, three triples, five home runs, 23 RBIs and 27 runs.

Katz was also looking at Canisius but chose Binghamton because of their golf team (won two tournaments this fall, has advanced to NCAA Eastern Regionals three times in last four years) and academics (wants to major in pre-medicine).

"The kids on the team are very nice," Katz added. "There's a captains practice where it's like a tryout. If I play well, I should have a spot on the first match. They call it traveling with the team on the bus. The top five make the bus so hopefully I'll make the bus."

"He's met everyone on the team and I think he'll fit in wonderfully," said Binghamton coach Nick Lasky, the NCAA Northeast Regional Coach of the Year. "He has an outgoing personality that makes you laugh and want to be around. He's a long hitter with a great short game. I also like his success in the classroom as well as his tremendous family support."

"It's a real solid upper class mid-major program so it's a great fit for Jake," added North coach John Burns. "He'll go there and play. Nick Lasky came down and watched the ECIC championships. He felt Jake could play right away for him. That's what Jake's hoping and what I'm hoping."

Katz is an ECIC all-star the past three years and ECIC scoring champion in 2005 (36.1) and 2006 (35.9). He has also won North team awards for low stroke average, most points won, rookie of the year and coach Jerry Sawicki Award for excellence, has been the Westwood Country Club's men's and junior champion, and was a long drive contest runner-up (330 yards) from this past summer's Junior Masters.

Katz has also been named Western New York PGA Junior Player of the Year (2004, 2005), Buffalo District Golf Association Sub-Junior Player of the Year (2004), and JCC Maccabi Games national champion in Boston (2004) and Dallas (2005).