Sports
15 Providence Student-Athletes Make College Commitments
They join an already large list of students moving to the next step in their athletic and academic careers.
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Fifteen students from Providence Catholic High School signed with colleges this week to continue not just their academic careers, but also take the next step in sports.
“We are very proud of these young men and women who have worked hard both in and outside of the classroom. We wish them the very best,” Principal Don Sebestye said.
The students are:
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Gabriel Jeffrey Aprati, son of Jeffrey and Susan Aprati of New Lenox, will attend Illinois Wesleyan University where he will continue his golf career. He is currently undecided on his major. Aprati is a graduate of and a parishioner at Mokena. The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society and has been a member of the boys’ golf team for the past four years. Aprati was rated #1 for PCHS varsity team his sophomore through senior years and scored a 69 tournament average. He was named MVP his junior and senior years, as well as team captain his senior year. Furthermore, Aprati was the winner of the Plantations Junior Golf Tournament at Cog Hill, named All-Conference and individually won four consecutive tournaments his senior year.
Evan Berna, son of Michael and Helenmary Berna of New Lenox, will attend Illinois Wesleyan University where he will major in Secondary Education and continue his golf career. Berna is a graduate of and a parishioner at St. Jude Church in New Lenox. The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society, Augustinian Youth Ministry and Habitat for Humanity. In addition, Berna is a leader for Celtic Nation and has been a member of the boys’ golf team for the past four years. Berna had a 75 scoring average with four Top 5 finishes and seven Top 10 finishes. Furthermore, Berna was named All-Conference and All-Area.
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Daniel Cwiertniak, son of Mark and Anita Cwiertniak of Monee, will attend Upper Iowa University where he received both an academic and athletic scholarship to continue his baseball career. He plans to major in Accounting/Business Management. Cwiertniak is a graduate of Crete-Monee Middle School and a parishioner at St. Boniface Church. The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society and has been a pitcher for the Celtic baseball team for the past four years. During the 2010 season, Cwiertniak had a 0.66 ERA in 10 innings pitched.
Kelly Lynn Engwall, daughter of Dave and Rita Engwall of Oak Forest, will attend Tallahassee Community College where she plans to major in Education and continue her softball career. Engwall is a graduate of St. Damian and a member of their parish. She has been a member of the Celtic softball team for the past four years; three years at the varsity level. During the 2010 season, Engwall was named All-Conference.
Nick Gould, son of Greg and Kelley Gould of Channahon, will attend Joliet Junior College where he plans to major in Fire Science and continue his baseball career. Gould is a graduate of St. Paul the Apostle School and member of their parish. The honor roll student has played for the Celtic baseball team his entire high school career as an outfielder. Furthermore, Gould was named on the WJOL All-Tournament team.
Kathleen Elizabeth Kennedy, daughter of Jeff and Laura Kennedy of Tinley Park, will attend where she plans to major in Communications/Business and continue her tennis career. Kennedy is a graduate of and a parishioner at St. Walter’s Church. She is a member of the National Art Honor Society, Art Club and a member of the girls’ tennis team for the past four years; three years at the varsity level. Kennedy placed 3rd at Sectionals and qualified for State.
Michael Kenneth Kronberg, son of Kenneth and Candace Kronberg of Homer Glen, will attend Illinois Wesleyan University where he plans to major in Pre-Law and continue his football career. Kronberg is a graduate of Homer Junior High School and a parishioner at St. Bernard’s Church. The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society and has been member of the Celtic football team for the past four years; two years as a starter. Furthermore, he was a member of the boys’ track team his entire high school career and wrestled his freshman through junior years.
Katie McDonald, daughter of Bob and Nancy McDonald of Orland Park, will attend Missouri University of Science and Technology where she received both an academic and athletic scholarship to continue her volleyball career. She plans to major in Biological Science and minor in Chemistry. McDonald is a graduate of l and also a member of their parish. The honor roll student has been a member of the girls’ volleyball team her entire high school career and named in the “Top 200 players of Illinois.”
Amanda Noonan, daughter of Steve and Patricia Noonan of Tinley Park, will attend Creighton University where she received both an academic and athletic scholarship to continue her tennis career. She is currently undecided on her major. Noonan is a graduate of and a parishioner at . The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society, Habitat for Humanity and has played for the girls’ varsity tennis team for the past four years. Noonan was a State qualifier and named MVP for the past three years. Furthermore, she was ranked number 32 at State and received an All-State Honorable Mention her senior year.
Casey John Papp, son of Rick Papp and Cyndi Carrington of Joliet, will attend Joliet Junior College where he plans to major in Communications and continue his baseball career. Papp is a graduate of St. Paul the Apostle School and a parishioner at St. Mary Immaculate. The honor roll student has been a member of the Celtic baseball and football teams for the past four years.
Daniel Walter Potempa, son of Robert and Debbie Potempa of Tinley Park, will attend Iowa Central College where he received an athletic scholarship to continue his baseball career. He is currently undecided on his major. Potempa is a graduate of and also a member of their parish. The honor roll student is a member of the Celtic baseball team and had a .421 batting average, 44 RBI’s and 8 HR his junior year. Potempa was named All-Conference and WJOL All-Tournament team. Furthermore, he was a member of the varsity football team.
Dominic Jerome Quaranta, son of Gary and Mary Lou Quaranta of Homer Glen, will attend Washington University in St. Louis where he plans to major in Engineering and continue his baseball career. Quaranta is a graduate of St. Cyril and Methodius School and also a member of their parish. The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society, the Augustinian Youth Ministry and Habitat for Humanity. Quaranta is also an Illinois State Scholar and was named a National Merit Commended Student. Furthermore, he has been a member of the Celtic baseball and football teams his entire high school career.
Szymon Sochacki, son of Pawel and Ewa Sochacki of Romeoville, will attend St. Ambrose University where he received both an academic and athletic scholarship to continue his football career. He is currently undecided on his major. Sochacki is a graduate of Heritage Grove Middle School and a parishioner at St. Andrew’s Church. He has been member of the Celtic football and wrestling teams for the past four years. He had 34 tackles and 3 sacks his senior year.
Charles Robert Smith, son of Robert and Martha Smith of Frankfort, will attend St. Ambrose University where he received both an academic and athletic scholarship to continue his football career. He is currently undecided on his major. Smith is a graduate of Frances Xavier Warde School and is a parishioner at Holy Name Cathedral. He has been a line backer for the Celtic football team for the past four years.
Austin Travis Vazquez, son of Rafael and Tenny Vazquez of Joliet, will attend Joliet Junior College where he plans to major in Criminal Justice and continue his baseball career. Vazquez is a graduate of St. Mary Magdalene School and also a member of their parish. He has been a pitcher for the Celtic baseball team for the past four years and played for the football team his freshman through junior years.
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