HPHS To Induct Three into Hall of Fame

Three former Highland Park High School athletes will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday, February 13 at 5 p.m. in the HPHS Commons.

The 2015 Hall of Fame class includes Becky (Knotek) Casey, Class of 2001; Rick Piacenza, Class of 1971; and Michael Poeta, Class of 2004.

Casey earned nine varsity letters in three sports (volleyball, basketball and softball) in her four years at HPHS. She was All-Conference in softball for two years and All-Conference in volleyball during her senior year. In her senior year, Casey pitched nearly every varsity softball game and led her team the furthest in school history: one game short of the state tournament. After high school, Casey was a two-sport athlete at Carthage College her first two years after which she transferred to Dominican University, where she was All-Conference in both volleyball and softball. After college, Casey returned to her hometown and has coached Park District softball and given pitching lessons to many young girls. She continues to volunteer her time in helping the HPHS softball program.

Piacenza was an All-Conference basketball player at HPHS from 1969-1971. He scored nearly 800 points and collected over 600 rebounds. During his senior year, he finished third in Suburban League scoring, with a 20.5 points per game average. After high school, Piacenza accepted a four-year scholarship to play basketball at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. During the 1973-74 season, he assumed the role of starter and sixth man for the Badgers and helped the team finish third in the Big 10 and ranked 20th in the nation. Following his career at UW, Piacenza signed a professional contract in 1976 to play basketball for Forst of Cantu, Italy, in the A1 Division of the Euro League. He returned to Highland Park in 1977 and embarked on a successful corporate career. He is active as a volunteer in the Wounded Warrior Project.

Poeta is the most decorated wrestler to ever wear a Giant uniform. The following is a list of Michael’s accomplishments:

 Four-time IKWF/IWF State Champion

 Named #1 High School Recruit in the Country – Pound for Pound (2004)

 Member of Wrestling USA Dream Team (2004)

 Two-time Cadet Freestyle National Champion (2001, 2002)

 Junior Freestyle National Champion (2004)

 Four-time Illinois State Wrestling Place Winner (2001-2004)

 Two-time Illinois High School Wrestling Champion (2003, 2004)

 High School Folkstyle National Champion (2004)

 Three-time Fargo Freestyle Wrestling National Champion

 Two-time Midlands 157-pound Champion (2007, 2008)

 Two-time Big Ten 157-pound Champion (2008, 2009)

 2007 NCAA Wrestling All-American (3rd, 157 pounds)

 2008 NCAA Wrestling All-American (2nd, 157 pounds)

 2009 NCAA Wrestling All-American (2nd, 157 pounds)

 2009 Sunkist Kids International Open Freestyle Wrestling Champion

 2010 World Cup Freestyle Wrestling Team

 2009-10 University of Illinois Assistant Coach

Poeta has earned the distinction of being the most decorated wrestler to ever compete in

He is the owner of Poeta Training Center in Lake Forest and is on staff at Team Poeta Wrestling Club, where he shares his knowledge and skills of wrestling with numerous local athletes of all ages.

Nominations for next year’s class will be open until Friday, April 10. Forms are available on the HPHS Athletics Department website.