Where Are USPA Student-Athletes Now? From College Teams to World Championships
Across eight sports, USPA students and graduates are competing in college, representing their countries and building professional careers.
Student-athletes take different routes after high school. Some continue their sport in college. Others compete on national and international stages or begin professional careers. Their stories show how students can pursue ambitious goals while staying engaged in school.
College competition and academics go hand in hand
Tennis: Patricia Grigoras at Penn State
Penn State women’s tennis player Patricia Grigoras has earned recognition in both competition and the classroom. After making the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2024–25, she earned second-team All-Big Ten and Academic All-District honors in 2025–26. She finished the year with a 3.77 cumulative GPA as a psychology major.
Golf: Connor Bryce at the University of North Texas
A USPA Class of 2026 graduate, Connor Bryce joined the Mean Green as a freshman. At the September 2026 Argent Financial Classic, he finished 26th at 1-over par as North Texas placed second as a team.
Equestrian: Schuyler Dayner at SMU
After USPA, Schuyler Dayner received a full-ride to SMU’s equestrian team, where she competes in the jumping-seat discipline. In her freshman season, she earned a Flat point for the Mustangs against South Carolina in the NCEA quarterfinals.
Hockey: Seth Murch at the University of New England
After four seasons in junior hockey, Seth Murch took the ice for the University of New England’s NCAA Division III team. In 2025–26, he recorded four goals and four assists in 27 games and shared the men’s Rookie Athlete of the Year honor. As Seth puts it, “USPA enabled me to pursue my hockey career without worrying about missing school and getting behind on assignments.”
National and professional milestones
Cycling: Emma Jimenez Palos wins on the world stage
Emma Jimenez Palos defended her junior scratch-race world title at the 2026 UCI Junior Track World Championships. She added silver medals in the omnium and individual pursuit, bringing home three medals from the championships.
Alpine skiing: Allison Mollin reaches a World Cup best
USPA alumna Allison Mollin continued her progression on the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team. In the 2025–26 season, she earned a career-best 13th-place finish in a World Cup downhill and placed 18th in her first World Cup downhill finals.
Figure skating: Zachary LoPinto sets a personal best
Junior skater Zachary LoPinto placed fifth in the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Junior Championships. At the Junior Grand Prix in China, he earned an international personal-best score of 185.88 and finished 11th.
Soccer: Jeremy de León turns a professional pathway into a career
Jeremy de León completed high school with USPA while training at International Development Academy in Valencia. His professional career has included CD Castellón and Real Madrid Castilla. In 2026, he began a new chapter with Spain’s UE Sant Andreu and continues to represent Puerto Rico.
Support that moves with each student’s goals
These athletes follow different paths, but each needs an academic plan that can adapt to training, travel and competition. At US Performance Academy, flexible online learning, personalized instruction and support from teachers and Learning Coaches help students stay on track without compromising a great education.
College planning is part of that support. USPA’s college counselors meet one-on-one with students to explore college fit, plan applications and deadlines, and navigate NCAA eligibility and recruiting guidance. They can also help students understand scholarship opportunities as they consider their next step.
