Downers South Inducts Four Athletes Into Hall Of Fame

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Four new athletes will be added to the Hall of Fame at Downers Grove South this February. Deb Neely (Pelekoudas), class of '82, Sarah Shillington, class of '83, Dr. Renee Dominguez (Zgymuntowicz), class of '90, and Barry Jacobson, a coach, will be inducted in a special ceremony during the Feb. 10 varsity basketball game.

The four honorees were selected for their record-breaking achievements during their high school careers and their subsequent athletic pursuits.

During her time at Downers South, Deb Neely (Pelekoudas), was a star basketball, softball, and volleyball player. Her accomplishments include being named female athlete of the decade in 1990 by Suburban Life Magazine, making all-area and all-state teams in multiple sports, and being named Colorado 4A Coach of the Year in 1994.

Shillington's high school athletic career included achievements in swimming, softball, and basketball. She earned 9 varsity letters, according to a release from Downers Grove District 99. Shillington was the 1983 Female Athlete of the Year and continued her athletic career at North Central College, where she was named Female Athlete of the Year twice.

From 1986-1990, Dr. Renee Dominguez (Zgymuntowicz) "was a huge part of the success in the first years of the girls’ soccer at Downers Grove South," District 99 said in a release. She still holds five top ten scoring records in basketball. Dominguez (Zgymuntowicz) was coached in soccer by Barry Jacobson, who also joins the Athletic Hall of Fame this year.

Barry Jacobson's coaching career at Downers Grove South spanned nearly three decades and included close to 600 wins. Jacobson's 489 wins as girls' soccer coach at Downers South have earned him a spot as the second most decorated girls' soccer coach in Illinois history.

>>Images provided by Downers Grove District 99