In our second college commitment ceremony of this school year, six student-athletes made their college choices official and expressed their gratitude before family, friends and classmates in Canisius High School's Madden Center for Global Learning: 
 
The members of the Class of 2026 who were honored Thursday morning were: 
 
Arno Mbaiyo of Buffalo – Stetson University (football) 
Owen Gray of Buffalo – Otterbein University (lacrosse)
Joseph Cheney of Hamburg – Iona College (rowing)
Leo Mertz of Buffalo – Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (rowing)
Ethan Pirigyi of Buffalo – Brown University (rowing) 
Oliver Reynolds of Buffalo – Drexel University (rowing) 

Canisius is expected to have many more student-athletes committing to college programs throughout the remainder of the school year; an additional ceremony will be held in the spring. 
 
Twenty CHS student-athletes committed to college programs last year; 18 did so in 2024. Thus far, 11 have committed this school year. 
 
Canisius is again in line to have around 15-20% of its senior class participate in college athletics, according to Director of Athletics Jim Mauro, which is far above the national average of less than 2%.

"This is a culmination of an enormous amount of work," Mauro said to a capacity crowd of family, coaches, teachers and classmates in the Madden Center. 

"When you set a goal to play college athletics, it's a long path. It takes a lot of sacrifice, a lot of diligence, and that's from everybody: That's from not only yourself, but from family, your friends, from the president down to the principal here at school, to our faculty, our staff, our coaches … to push and prod you to get to the next level.

The six seniors were introduced by Mauro and honored for their achievements before each stood up and expressed their gratitude.

  
Arno Mbaiyo of Buffalo – Stetson University (football) 

Mbaiyo was a second-team All-Western New York linebacker and first-team All-Catholic selection in 2024 as he helped Canisius to the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association championship.  

The team captain for 2025, which was an injury-shortened season for Mbaiyo, recorded 148 career tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. 

CHS football coach Kraig Kurzanski '84 said of the two-year starter:

"Arno is the most grateful athlete I have ever coached. Unfortunately, he was lost in Week Six this past season due to injury and was leading the team in tackles at that point. 

"Arno has persevered through difficult times and always with a smile on his face attacks everything in life to the best of his ability. Arno will attack his rehab and get back to 100% soon. 

"Stetson University is getting a real good football player. I look forward to watching Arno continue to glorify God in all he does."

Mbaiyo: 

"First and foremost, I like to give thanks to Jesus Christ, because obviously he's the reason why I'm here. Thank you, Jesus. 

"I'd like to thank my coaches. Coach K and Coach Paul. The first time I actually came in to tour the school, Coach K was like, 'Arno, do you really want to change your life?' I was like, 'Yeah, Coach K.'
 
"I came to Canisius. I met a lot of my friends, and they became my brothers. We got Darnell, Eli, javez, Logan, Amir. I love these guys, and they will always hold a place in my heart, as well as all the other students. 

"We got Coach K back there? He still looks young, you know.

"Ever since I grew up, I knew that I wanted to do something great. I wanted to be a great person. I wanted to help people whenever I could. 

"And I feel like football really opened that door for me. I always wanted to find who I wanted to be in life, and me playing this sport, it kind of helped me find my purpose, you know? I like helping people. I like making people smile, and I just want to be great. 

"I thank you for being here with me today to celebrate this and especially with these guys (fellow athletes), because I know it's hard waking up every day having the same commitment to your sport and just being, just being a good person. 

"Thank you so much for being here. I'm really happy. I could start crying."


Owen Gray of Buffalo – Otterbein University (lacrosse)

Owen Gray, in just his second season as a member of the improving varsity lacrosse program, has emerged as one of the group's top leaders. He is also a leader of the Blue Crew student section. 

CHS lacrosse coach Pat Mete said of the four-year starter:

"Owen has been an invaluable mentor and role model for his underclassmen teammates, ensuring they are able to succeed both on the field and in the classroom. Owen truly sets the standard for our team values: Attitude, Effort, and Energy. 

"When college coaches talk about character, they're describing someone like Owen Gray. He is everything this program strives to stand for, a genuine embodiment of our core values as Crusaders."

Gray: 

"First off I want to thank my family, you constantly pick me up and you guys are as committed as me to this. I want to thank my coaches: they have nonstop helped me improve and become a better player. I wouldn't be here without them. 

"And I also want to thank my teammates. You guys always got my back, helping me out. I appreciate you guys. Thank you."


Joseph Cheney of Hamburg – Iona College (rowing)

Cheney joined the rowing program as a junior as a novice rower and went on to be a part of the crew which won silver in the novice eight at the 2025 Canadian National Championship.

CHS rowing coach Jacob Filby '14 said of Cheney:

"Joe joined the program last year as a novice and proved to be a capable leader and director almost immediately.

"Throughout the spring, he stayed late to train with the varsity after novice workouts and put in a massive amount of effort to get to the point where he could contribute to the team as a top athlete this past fall."

Cheney: 

"I'd like to thank my family, really, especially my mom. She's really stuck with me, especially these past few months – she's believed in me, and that means a lot. 

"I'd like to thank my coaches, coach Filby, coach Flaherty, and coach RJ ... Coach Filby, he saw in me what I felt wasn't seen in me before, and I really appreciate that. 

"And coach Flaherty last year, allowing me to row as a novice as a junior. And coach RJ, for giving me a chance over the summer and helping me with the recruiting process. 

"I'd like to thank everybody on the team, especially Zach Bench (Benczkowski), Tommy (Snyder) and Pat Basil – for really like giving me rides everywhere, every day. It's really like the only way I can go to practice so it means a lot. Thank you." 


Leo Mertz of Buffalo – Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (rowing)

Mertz is a senior coxswain and was part of the Second Varsity Eight that won the 2025 US Scholastic Championships. 

He also was part of the crew that won the 2024 Under-17 Four at the Canadian Championships and made the national semifinals in the Junior Four in 2024.

CHS rowing coach Jacob Filby '14 said of Mertz:

"Leo is quick on his feet and a strong communicator. I am looking forward to seeing how much he can keep growing this spring before he continues his journey at Embry-Riddle."

Mertz: 

"Thank you everybody for coming and showing your support. I would just like to give a big thanks to, first of all, my family, with my dad, supporting me, driving me to these 5 a.m. practices, and my sister and my brother.

"A big, big, big thank-you to our coaches, especially Coach Filby. He always pushes me to be a better coxswain, and always helps me refine my skills to become the best coxswain I can be. 

"I wouldn't be in this seat here without my teammates helping me in the boat, crossing that line together. This sport is a true team sport. I couldn't ask for better people to be on that boat with me. 

"I'm so excited to continue rowing on to college and taking all the things I learned from Canisius and moving forward at Embry Riddle. Thank you guys."


Ethan Pirigyi of Buffalo – Brown University (rowing) 

Ethan was unanimously voted as the CHS Rowing captain for the 2025-26 season. 

He was part of the Senior Eight that won the 2025 US Scholastic Championships and the Canadian Championships, in addition to winning the 2024 Under-17 Four at the Canadian Championships and finishing fifth in the Senior Eight at the 2024 US Championships. 

Over the summer, Ethan won the Under-19 Eight at the Canadian Henley twice in addition to the Under-19 Four.

Additionally, he was invited to train in the summer of 2025 with the United States National Development Program, which identifies athletes for future selection to Team USA.

CHS rowing coach Jacob Filby '14 said of Pirigyi:

"Ethan is a proven leader, a high-caliber student, an elite communicator, and a tremendous oarsman – all of which we train to be. So it is well deserved, yet no surprise, that he is joining the top school in the country for rowing student-athletes."

Pirigyi: 

"First and foremost, I'd love to thank my parents. They put as much time and commitment into this sport as I have, – so, that's a lot. 

"I want to thank my sister. She's not here, but she's killin it in Minnesota rowing and she inspires me every day. I want to be like her.

"I want to thank my coaches, especially Coach Filby. He's always had my back, and he pushes me to be a great rower. And my teammates and my friends, they always have my back, and I wouldn't be here without them."


Oliver Reynolds of Buffalo – Drexel University (rowing)  

Reynolds, a team captain for the 2025-26 season, was part of the Senior Eight that won the 2025 US Scholastic Championships and the Canadian Championships. 

He also won the 2024 Under-17 Four at the Canadian Championships and finished fifth in the Second Eight at the 2024 US Championships. 

Over the summer, Oliver recently trained with the Pennsylvania Athletic Club, winning medals at the U.S. Summer Championships.

CHS rowing coach Jacob Filby '14 said of Reynolds:

"From the moment he joined the program as a sophomore, Oliver demonstrated fantastic qualities in accountability and high-performance training, which sets him up to join the litany of strong student-athletes CHS has sent on to Drexel, a top-20 college rowing program, these past few years."

Reynolds: 

"Thank you to a whole lot of people, my family, every day, always being there. My stepdad, literally doing the sport, joining the sport after I'm doing it to support me. My mom getting me everywhere, helping me come to school so I can get better in sports. 

"I'd like to take the coaches, coach Filby, coach R.J. ... coach Filby helped me all the way since I got here, over my sophomore year, going through the winter, pushing me through and giving me the push to get to where I am today. Coach RJ, coming from my old school, I actually rowed with him before I even got here, and he helped me know the entire team. 

"I'd like to thank all the guys on the team, all my friends, who just pushed me and helped me get there."