4 Griffins Sign to Play College Sports

Lincoln-Way East High School Athletic Department held their fall college signing day on Wednesday, November 12 in Griffins Lair at Lincoln-Way East High School, Frankfort.

Four Lincoln-Way East student-athletes participated in the National Letter of Intent ceremony: Nikole Van Gennep, Jenny Van Geertry, Julia Junkroski and Kelly Sterling.

Nikole Van Gennep will play softball for Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, Florida. Her parents are John and Kris Van Gennep and her softball coach is Elizabeth Pawlicki.

Nikole is undecided about her major. She said she chose Eckerd College because she “really liked the coach. I also liked the weather, we are able to play softball the entire year.”

Jenny Van Geertry will be attending Northern Illinois University in DeKalb where she will play softball. Her parents are Robert and Hilda Van Geertry and her softball coach is Elizabeth Pawlicki.

Jenny will be majoring in marketing at Northern Illinois University. When asked why she selected NIU, she said, “I really like the coaches and the university itself.”

Julia Junkroski will be attending the University of South Dakota in the city of Vermillion. She will be a member of the Track & Field team for South Dakota. Julia is the daughter of Robert and Mary Junkroski. Her coaches are Caroline Gerritsen and Wendy Hegarty.

Julia plans on majoring in kinesiology, the study of exercise science, at the University of South Dakota.

“I chose the University of South Dakota because I think it is a good fit for me; the size and the academics, plus it has the best pole vault coach in the country,” she said with a smile.

Kelly Sterling will be attending the University of Illinois-Chicago where she will be playing golf. Her parents are Brian and Chris Sterling. Kelly’s golf coach is Mary McGivern.

Kelly has chosen engineering as her major. Kelly chose the University of Illinois-Chicago because she “liked her coach and liked the city of Chicago. I also like being close to home.”

“Each of these student-athletes have worked hard and earned the opportunity to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. We are extremely proud of them and know that they will represent Lincoln-Way East with great pride,” said Mark Vander Kooi, East Athletic Director.

Caption: Four Lincoln-Way East High School student-athletes participated in the National Letter of Intent ceremony recently at the East High School. Student-athletes signing are: (left to right) Nikole Van Gennep, Jenny Van Geertry both for softball; Julia Junkroski for track & field; and Kelly Sterling for golf. Coaches standing in back row are: Elizabeth Pawlicki, softball; Caroline Gerritsen, Wendy Hegarty and Mary McGivern.