Diving:

Featured Athlete: Morgan Dunleavy (Tiffin University)

Dunleavy has been on the diving team for three years, and her devotion to the sport has been commended by head diving coach Mr. David Fowler. “Morgan is a very organized and dedicated person,” stated Fowler. “Once she has her mind made up about something, she goes out and gets it.” This past season, Dunleavy reached sectionals, as she set the LHS all-time diving record with a score of 461.10. Leadership is also a large part of Dunleavy’s repertoire, as she stepped up at times during the season to teach some of her techniques to the younger divers on the team. According to Fowler, these types of characteristics will help her succeed greatly in college.

Football: Conor Simpson (Washington State), Anthony Monken (University of Louisiana-Monroe), Bryan Scanlon (Arkansas State)

Featured Athlete: Conor Simpson (Washington State)

Brought up to the varsity level as a sophomore, Simpson has shown tremendous toughness as the starting running back for the Cats. Whenever he has the ball, his quickness provides him with a chance to score. Head coach Mr. Mike Jones’ favorite memory of Simpson was his outstanding game against Zion. Simpson rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns in his last game as a Wildcat, leading the team to a 35-16 win. “[Simpson] is a unique player because he is outstanding in space. He can run the ball and has great hands,” stated Coach Jones.

Lacrosse:

Featured Athlete: Nick Bagatti (Adams State)

Bagatti’s favorite moment from the team came when they beat Glenbrook North to move into the final four of last year’s state tournament. He noted that he gives much of the credit to head coach Mr. Brady Sullivan, who always taught him and his teammates that hard work on and off the field will pay off in the end. According to Bagatti, he is looking forward to college lacrosse because “it’s only going to become more intense the older I get.” Over Bagatti’s three varsity years, the team has piled up 36 wins, including two trips to the playoffs.

Softball:

Featured Athlete: Taylor Oberman (Winona State)

Oberman has been on the varsity softball team for three years. Her offensive abilities have provided the Cats with power and speed at the top of their lineup. Defensively, she excels in the field, playing second base and shortstop. According to head coach Ms. Elissa Wisniewski, when Oberman is on her game, the whole team is on its game. Wisniewski is proud of Oberman’s work ethic and determination, and those types of characteristics will lead her to success in college. “Her abiliies to compete and adapt to situations will help her the most to make the transition into college softball,” stated Coach Wisniewski. “She’s quiet, but leads by example and her play speaks volumes.”

Boys Swimming: Pat King (Rose Hulman), Alex Snarski (Northwestern), and Bobby Snader (Xavier University)

Featured Athlete: Bobby Snader

Snader’s third year on varsity concluded at the State meet, where the Cats finished second overall. Snader’s relay team, which included junior Matt Harrington and seniors Atticus Rush and Snarski, set the IHSA record for the 200-medley relay with a time of 1.31.55. “It’s a moment I will never forget,” stated Snader. “It was just awesome.” Snader filled the role of leader throughout this past season, as his teammates looked to him to pump them up before a meet. According to Snader, Xavier brings a strong academic program to go along with a successful swim team, which led him to choose the school: “I’m excited for these next four years. It should be a lot of fun.”

Girls Water Polo:

Featured Athlete: Devika Joshi (Iona University)

Joshi has been on the varsity water polo team for four years. She has emerged as the leader of the team because of her hard work and dedication to the sport. According to head coach Mr. Chris Crawford, Joshi “has the ability to make her teammates around her stronger players.” Whenever the team got down, they always looked to Joshi to pick them up through her upbeat demeanor. Crawford noted that her upbeat attitude, tenacity and dedication has taken the girls water polo team to another level, and those traits will lead her to a successful college career.

Wrestling:

Kayne MacCallum (Eastern Michigan), Chris McDermand (American University), Steve Polakowski (Minnesota)

Featured Athlete: Kayne MacCallum

As a four-year varsity athlete, MacCallum has had many different high points over his career. As a freshman, he won 25 matches as well as placed sixth at the conference meet. In his sophomore year, he placed second at Sectionals and qualified for State. MacCallum’s junior year brought him more wins (40), as well as again placing second at Sectionals and claiming the Conference and Regional championships. To finish off his high school career, he went 45-2 on the season, while placing third at State. “My coaches have made me very technical and mentally tough,” MacCallum stated. “I’m really looking forward to (college wrestling). I can’t wait to meet new friends and teammates.”

Girls Track:

Featured Athlete: Raissa Spencer (Carroll University)

Spencer’s favorite moment from track came from this year, when her 200-meter relay team, consisting of seniors Rachael Metcalf and Katie Sackett, and junior Jasmine Turner, broke the school record with a time of 1:47.69. “We were all ecstatic when it happened. It was also really fun to see our coach equally excited.” Spencer gives much of the team’s success to her head coach, Mr. Tom Bizosky. Mr. Bizosky has been a part of Spencer’s four years of track and has made a large impact on her. Spencer noted that she would not have been able to achieve so much without the help of her coach. At Carroll University, track is co-ed, which Spencer thinks is a unique attribute to the team.

Boys Gymnastics:

Featured Athlete: Jack Burke (University of Vermont)

Burke has been on the varsity gymnastics team for three years. As one of the leaders on the team, Burke is a motivational yet humorous teammate. “It keeps the team relaxed and ready to compete,” commented Burke. Head coach Mr. Josh Cimo is accredited with much of Burke’s success. Burke noted that Cimo focuses on their form instead of any flashy moves during practices, which has helped him immensely during his high school gymnastics career. He will be heading to the University of Vermont in the fall to compete in their club gymnastics organization and is looking forward to the competition, as well as campus life. With the significant amount of mountains on and near campus, Burke looks forward to hiking, skiing, and skateboarding for pleasure.

Baseball: Jeff Barton (?), Ian Grant (Rose Hulman), Noah Greenberg (Concordia University-Wisconsin), Andrew Mack (Grinell College), Evan Skoug  (Texas Christian University):

Featured Athlete: Ian Grant

Grant, a pitcher for the Wildcats, has been on the varsity team for two years. As a left-hander, Grant is used as both a starter and a relief pitcher. There have been many highs over Grant’s high school career, such as striking out two at Miller Park, or picking up a two-inning save in an exciting 5-4 LHS victory over Loyola on April 1. He brings a positive attitude to the team to go along with energy. According to Grant, the college experience looks bright because he now knows that he is able to continue playing baseball after high school.

Boys Soccer:

Featured Athlete: Nick Vogel (Carthage College)

Vogel has been on the varsity team for three years. Vogel is a huge proponent of pressuring the ball whenever he is defending, which forces his opponents to react with little time. The LHS coaching staff taught Vogel many things, such as how to create opportunities by passing the ball. “Our coaches did a good job of teaching us how to play as a team,” stated Vogel. He is excited to attend Carthage College because it will be a fun opportunity, and he will get the chance to reunite with some of his old club soccer teammates.

Girls Golf:

Featured Athlete: Emma Hoskins (Carnegie Mellon)

This was Hoskins’ first year on the varsity squad. According to head coach Mr. Greg Pedersen, Hoskins was successful on the team because of her strong work ethic. “Emma was a disciplined worker and was business-like in her approach,” Pedersen stated. One of Hoskins’ best moments was when she shot an 80 at last year’s conference tournament. She placed third at the tournament and was a large factor in the Cats’ first-place tournament finish. Pedersen noted that Hoskins’ motivation will lead her to success in college.