L-W East Student Athletes Honored At Spring National Signing Day

FRANKFORT, IL — As the school year winds down, the final group of student athletes at Lincoln-Way East High announced which colleges and universities they'll be attending this week during the final National Signing Day ceremony. The last round, which was Wednesday, included 33 students, making a total of 60 for the 2017-18 school year.

“Roughly 5 percent of all high school athletes have the opportunity to compete in college athletics, so these student athletes are among elite company,” athletics director Vander Kooi said. “They have led our athletic program to one of the most successful years in school history, and we are proud of their commitment and effort.”

Held in the L-W East's Griffins' Liar, the signing day was an opportunity for teachers, coaches and family to honor the high school achievements before moving on to the collegiate level.

“[The student athletes] have represented Lincoln-Way, their classmates, their community and their families welland we are eager to watch them grow athletically, academically and socially at the college level,” Vander Kooi said.

The following is a list, in alphabetical order, of the student athletes who participated in Wednesday's event

• Jordan Abbasi, soccer, Gannon University
• Kellen Bachler, swimming, DePauw University
• Colin Brady, swimming, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
• Hayley Brothen, lacrosse, Illinois Wesleyan University
• Joey Buggemi, basketball, North Central College
• Jake Buhe, football, Illinois Wesleyan University
• Kevin Bullington, golf, Illinois Wesleyan University
• Declan Carr, football, Drake University
• Greyson Cox, volleyball, Clarke University
• Katie DeJulius, track and field, Augustana College
• Frankie DiCosola, soccer, Millikin University
• Meghan Fisher, water polo, Carthage College
• Cavon Gardner, football, Millikin University
• Delani Grayer, basketball, Clark Atlanta University
• Jaden Hacha, football, Illinois State University
• Mike Herlihy, volleyball, Loyola University
• Lauren Huss, soccer, Bryant and Stratton College
• George Kougan, volleyball, Dominican University
• Natalie LaMonto, cross country and track and field, Lawrence University
• Tony Mavrogiannis, soccer, Benedictine University
• Jared Mutter, baseball, Illinois Wesleyan University
• Cristian Nolasco, cross country and track and field, St. Ambrose University
• Hailey O’Malley, cross country and track and field at Millikin University
• Elyse Panzella, track and field, University of St. Francis
• Zach Parduhn will participate in basketball at the Illinois Institute of Technology
• Ian Piet, volleyball, Loyola University
• Dante Smith, swimming, Grinnell College
• Rick Smith, lacrosse, Illinois Wesleyan University
• Jake Tencza, baseball, Illinois Wesleyan University
• Katie Trudeau, hockey, St. Norbert College
• Jake Vander Woude, baseball, Calvin College
• Mark Wroblewski, volleyball, Augustana College
• Luis Zavala, volleyball, Augustana College

Members of the final group of Lincoln-Way East High School student athletes for the 2017-18 school year. (Photo via Lincoln-Way East High School | Lincoln-Way High School District 210)