Just 10 days after an Archbishop Stepinac High School athletic prospect drew an audience for a college choice announcement, track star David Davitt took center stage to select the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia as his landing spot for the fall of 2024.

With Stepinac’s White Plains gymnasium once again filled, this time with Davitt’s parents, coach, teammates, and the senior class filling the bleachers, and with a livestream sending the event beyond the school, the Stepinac senior chose Penn over other suitors Princeton University and the University of North Carolina.

After fumbling between baseball caps of the three schools on a table in front of him, Davitt removed his Stepinac varsity jacket to reveal a Penn sweatshirt, to the cheers of the assembled.

In remarks prior to the announcement, Davitt said, “It’s been an incredible journey, and I want to thank all of you for being a part of it.” He went on to thank his parents specifically, along with his coach and teachers for their support and challenging him not only athletically, but also academically.

Along with Stepinac, Davitt has competed on Team Ireland for the European Youth Olympics for 400 hurdles and medley relay. He ranked first in the United States for 500m in 2023 for the class of 2024 and is the current Division 1 (high school) New York State Champion for the 400-meter hurdles.

On October 20, fellow Stepinac senior and basketball player Johnuel “Boogie” Fland ended months of speculation by selecting the University of Kentucky as his college for 2024.