The Northwestern football team put together one of its better seasons in recent memory. The Tigers went 9-1 in the Colonial League en route to being named tri-champions of the regular season, along with Saucon Valley and Southern Lehigh, while also winning the District 11 Class AA crown.

When next fall rolls around, a number of those football players will be suiting up at the collegiate level to continue their athletic careers.

Lineman George Haddad and defensive back/wide receiver Taylor Breininger have committed to Moravian College, while quarterback/defensive back Frank Dangello will attend Muhlenberg College.

That trio, along with four other Tiger boys, was recognized during last week's ceremonial signing at Northwestern High School. Trey Shackleton, the lone Division I signee on the boys' side, chose Indiana University to continue his swimming career.

"I'm super excited to move on to college from high school," Shackleton said. "It's a big difference, and I'm excited to take my training to the next level."

Logan Schwartz, a combo-guard on the Tigers' basketball team, committed to the College of Mount Saint Vincent, while baseball players Nick Rodriguez (Arcadia University) and Brandon Eden (Muhlenberg) are also opening another chapter of their athletic careers.

Shackleton, a two-time medalist at this past season's PIAA Swimming and Diving Championships (including a second-place finish in the 500-yard freestyle), received plenty of interest from numerous Division I schools.

Army, Georgetown University and Michigan State University sought the coveted Tiger swimming, too, but the combination of academics and athletics at Indiana was a relatively easy decision when it came down to putting pen to paper.

"I thought it was going to be more difficult than it was," said Shackleton, who has earned seven combined district and state medals in his career. "When it came down to it after I took all of my recruiting trips, I just really knew it was the place for me."

Indiana's coaching staff was one of the best selling points for Shackleton.

"The coaching staff was fantastic," Shackleton said. "Just for distance alone, three of the coaches have been on the national team. Obviously these guys have the experience, and they know what you're going through. That really helps them coach you."

For one of the top swimmers in the state who has swam in countless pools, Indian's pool was just as enticing in solidifying his decision.

"The pool was beautiful," Shackleton said. "It is one of the best pools I've ever seen. I'm really excited to train in there every day.

"The team is really great. I really liked the guys. I seemed to really fit in and get along with them."

Shackleton will major in Exercise Science at Indiana. After completing his undergrad degree, he plans to attend medical school and become a doctor.