Lincoln-Way Central Celebrates Athletes with Signing Day Ceremony

Photo: Twenty-four students from Lincoln-Way Central were honored at a letter signing ceremony for going on to play sports at the college level.

Lincoln-Way Central hosted a Letter of Intent Signing Day on May 6 to honor 24 student athletes who will go on to play sports in college.

“Each of these students has demonstrated a tireless commitment toward their sport, leadership on and off the field, and a willingness to put in the work required to get to the college level,” said Hud Venerable, Lincoln-Way Central Athletic Director. “College sports are demanding and they require intense discipline and motivation; I know our athletes will rise to the occasion and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.”

Coaches recognized their players individually for the strengths they contributed to their teams.

Venerable called football player Sean Studer one of the top running backs in the state and described him as possessing coach-ability and character, as well as being a class act and the ultimate competitor.

“Cody Moris is the type of athlete who makes everyone around him better because he works so hard,” said Marlo Varnado, Central’s boys swimming coach. “He is the best swimmer this school has ever had.”

Central Girls Cross Country/Track coach Brian VanBeveren said Liz Venezio has been invaluable to their team. “Her leadership and optimism has pulled us out of some tough spots.”

Girls Soccer Coach Dan Radz described Kyla Grundhofer as extremely versatile and highly technical. “She plays hard and she leaves everything she has on the field.”

Girls track star Ashley Raehsler was named Triblocl Athlete of the Month and received $250 for Lincoln-Way Central from Country Financial for the recognition.

“I want to thank all of the parents in this room for their sacrifices, including driving your children to early morning and late night games and practices, fighting the rain and cold, working through rescheduling, and raising hard-working kids,” said baseball coach Scott Gardner.

Student athletes recognized were:

• Wade Davis; baseball; St. Joseph College; Undecided
• Joe Davi; baseball; Milikin University; Sport Management
• Jason Stricklin; baseball; Marian University; Criminal Justice
• Ryan Tishka; baseball; University of Concordia; Undecided
• Erin Doody; girls soccer; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; Social Work
• Kyla Grundhofer; girls soccer; Missouri Valley College; Athletic Training
• Sara Petrone; girls soccer; University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee; Actuarial Science
• Sarah Ortman, girls soccer; Olivet Nazarene University; Communications
• Connor Hipelius, boys volleyball; Lindenwood University; Business Administration
• Kyle Nilsen; boys volleyball; North Central College; Biology/Neuroscience
• Andrew Bergstrand; boys volleyball; North Central College; Computer Science
• Ashely Raehsler; girls track; Grand Valley State University – Michigan; Exercise Science/Physical Therapy
• Liz Venezio; girls cross country/track; Loras College; Media Studies/Secondary Education
• Alan Radakovitz; boys cross country/track; St. Xavier University; Philosophy
• Jackson Waters; boys cross country/track; Lewis University; Physics
• Dan Hepfinger; football; Robert Morris University; Nursing
• Joe Rodrigues; football; Loras College; Athletic Training
• Sean Kelly; football; Elmhurst College; Nursing
• Sean Studer; football; University of Wisconsin – Platteville; Mechanical Engineering
• Mark Bechtold; football; North Central College; Engineering
• Joe Nealon; football; University of Wisconsin – Platteville; Business
• Brandon Dominski; football; Elmhurst College; Criminal Justice
• Delaney Shepherd; girls swimming; Illinois Institute of Technology; major Biomedical Engineering
• Cody Moris; boys swimming; Cornell University; major Economics