Thirteen Providence Catholic Student-Athletes Make College Commitments

More than a dozen Providence Catholic student-athletes this month committed to their sports at the college level.

Nicholas Barker, Michael Beller, Jacob Carlsen, Jordan Ernst, Dylan Fairbairn, Patrick Follenweider, Maeve Garvey, Emma Griffiths, Andy Jatis, Michael Jerik, Tyler Pygon, Brenton Villasenor and Jake Swenson will continue their respective sports at the collegiate level.

“We are extremely proud of these young men and women for their leadership and hard work and wish them success in college and in the future,” said Principal John Harper.

Nicholas Barker, son of Dennis and Christine Barker of Tinley Park, committed to continue his football career at Carthage College where he received an academic scholarship. He is a graduate of Grissom Junior High School and a parishioner at St. Nicholas Church. Barker has been a member of the Celtic football team for his entire high school career, including the 2014 State Champion football team. Furthermore, he was named 1st team All-Area by the Chicago Sun Times.

Michael Beller, son of Michael and Judy Beller of Homer Glen, committed to continue his football career at Carthage College where he received an academic scholarship and plans to major in Business. He is a graduate of Homer Junior High School and a parishioner at Our Mother of Good Counsel. The honor roll student has been a member of the Celtic football and track teams for his entire high school career, including the 2014 State Champion football team.

Jacob Carlsen, son of Chris and Lisa Carlsen of Romeoville, committed to continue his baseball career at Maryville University where he plans to major in Business Marketing. He is a graduate of St. Joseph Catholic School in Lockport and a parishioner at St. Joseph’s Church. Carlsen has been a member of the Celtic baseball team for his entire high school career, including the 2014 State Champion baseball team.

Jordan Ernst, son of Dan and Tricia Ernst of Mokena, committed to continue his hockey career at Bowling Green State University where he received a full scholarship. He is a graduate of Homer Junior High School and a parishioner at Our Mother of Good Counsel. The honor roll student played for the Celtic hockey team for three years and was named All-State, Blackhawk Alumni All-Star and a member of the Illinois Show Case Team.

Dylan Fairbairn, son of Ron and Tina Fairbairn of Elwood, committed to continue his tennis career at St. Ambrose University where he received an athletic and academic scholarship and plans to major in Cyber Security. He is a graduate of Elwood Grade School. Fairbairn has been a member of the Celtic tennis team for the past three years and Varsity Captain for the past two years.

Patrick Follenweider, son of Sophie and the late David Follenweider of Frankfort, committed to continue his wrestling career at Loras College where he received an academic scholarship. He plans to major in Secondary Education. He is a graduate of Noonan Academy and a parishioner at St. Anthony in Frankfort. The honor roll student has been a member of the Celtic wrestling team for his entire high school career.

Maeve Garvey, daughter of Sean and Rene Garvey of Mokena, committed to continue her softball career at the University of Chicago where she plans to major in Neuroscience/Pre-Medicine. Garvey is a graduate of Mokena Junior High School and a parishioner at St. Mary Catholic Church. The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society, Augustinian Youth Ministry and is a Sacristan. Garvey has been a member of the Celtic softball team for her entire high school career and was named All-Conference her sophomore and junior years. Furthermore, she played for the Celtic girls’ basketball team for three years.

Emma Griffiths, daughter of Adam and Peg Griffiths of Mokena, committed to continue her track career at the University of Chicago where she plans to major in English. Griffiths is a graduate of St. Mary School and a parishioner at St. Mary Catholic Church. The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society, Augustinian Youth Ministry, Habitat for Humanity and Student Council. She also participates in the monthly Sandwich Patrol, Hands-On Celtics, Student Augustinian Values Institute, International Club and Celtic Nation. Griffiths has been a member of the Celtic track and field team for her entire high school career and was named Conference Athlete of the Year, 10th Place at State (Indoor), 11th Place at State (Outdoor) and was a National Qualifier.

Andy Jatis, son of Dan and Tricia Jatis of Homer Glen, signed his National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Iowa where he will continue his track career. Jatis received an academic and athletic scholarship and plans to major in Pharmacy. He is a graduate of Oak Prairie Junior High School and a parishioner at St. Dennis Church. The honor roll student is an Illinois State Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society and Habitat for Humanity. Jatis has been a member of the varsity Celtic track and field team for his entire high school career. He holds the school’s current pole vault record at 16’ 3” and has been a two-year CCL Champion. During his junior year, he placed 2nd at State (Indoor) and 3rd at State (Outdoor); his senior year, he was named Indoor State Champion in pole vault.

Michael Jerik, son of Tom and Lisa Jerik of Tinley Park, committed to continue his baseball career at Carroll University where he received an academic scholarship and plans to major in Physical Therapy. He is a graduate of Prairie View Junior High and a parishioner at St. Stephen Church. The honor roll student has been a member of the Celtic baseball team for his entire high school career, including the 2014 State Champion baseball team. Furthermore, he was the recipient of the Tinley Park Bulldogs’ 2015 John Brown Award.

Tyler Pygon, son of Dave and Michele Pygon of Orland Park, committed to continue his basketball career at Millikin University where he received an academic scholarship. He is a graduate of Century Junior High School. The honor roll student has been a member of the Celtic basketball team for his entire high school career. This past season, he was named to the CCL All-Conference Team and was voted Most Improved Player.

Brenton Villasenor, son of Robert and Sandra Villasenor of Lemont, committed to continue his baseball career at the University of Chicago where he plans to major in Law/Political Science. He is a graduate and parishioner of SS. Cyril and Methodius. The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society, Augustinian Youth Ministry, Habitat for Humanity and Mock Trial Team. Villasenor is also a Eucharistic Minister and participates in Celtic Nation. He has been a member of the Celtic baseball team for his entire high school career, including the 2014 State Champion baseball team. Furthermore, Villasenor is a three-year varsity player and was named to the 2014 WJOL All-Tournament Team.

Jake Swenson, son of Dennis and Kris Swenson of Homer Glen, committed to continue his football career at St. Norbert College where he plans to major in Economics. The honor roll student is a graduate of Homer Junior High and a member of the National Honor Society and a Celtic Time Leader. Furthermore, he has been a member of the Celtic football team for his entire high school career, including the 2014 State Champion football team. Swenson was also a member of the wrestling team for three years.