Lemont Celebrates the Success of Two More Signees

Two Lemont standouts have joined the ranks of two outstanding NCAA programs. Athletic director John Young held a ceremony to "celebrate the success of Lemont's student-athletes" on Wednesday afternoon.  Here is a summary of the two recruits and where they are headed next year:

Becca Brabec

Sport: Volleyball.

Position: Outside hitter.

School: Clarkson University, Potsdam, N.Y.

The Skinny: Brabec played for the Indians' varstiy squad for three years. She was a middle blocker in coach Chris Zogata's lineup, but at 5-7, she's too short to play there at the next level. Instead, she'll be playing on the outside for the Golden Knights.  Clarkson is coming off back-to-back NCAA Division III tourney appearances, the first in the school's history.

Brabec set career-highs as a senior, registering 141 kills, 24 service aces and 62 blocks. She finished her career with 297 kills and a hitting percentage of .259. She helped Indians compile back-to-back 13-0 seasons in conference play and was a part of back-to-back regional title winning teams.

"When I visited Clarkson, it was a good size," she said. "Everyone there is really nice. I felt comfortable and welcome. I visited a few schools closer to home, but they were nothing compared to what I saw at Clarkson."

Brabec is an honor roll student at Lemont. She will be studying physical therapy.

Nick Szerzinski

Sport: Golf.

School: Lewis University, Romeoville.

The skinny: Szerzinski had a storied career playing golf for the Indians, including leading the team to two top-seven finishes in the IHSA Class 2A state tournament. At the varsity level, he posted a career scoring average for nine holes of 40.7.

Szerzinski first qualified for the state tournament as a sophomore. He placed 64th with a two-day, 36-hole total 167. As a junior, he climbed to 35th place.

He was named to the All-SSC team three times and earned Lemont MVP honors as a junior. He led the Indians to an overall record of 39-3 in his three years at the varsity level.

He is excited to be joining the Flyers and hopes to make an impact right away.

"I really liked the campus and it's a great school," Szerzinski said. "I know a lot of guys on the team and they seem really serious. Skip Steffey is a new coach, and he's making an impact right away. It's a great opportunity to play some really competitive golf and hopefully take Lewis to the next level."

Szerzinski is undecided on a major but is thinking about studying either business management or secondary education.  Over the summer, he logged more 11,000 miles of travel to compete in golf events. He played in Wisconsin, Tennessee and Florida.