Michaels, Yacko Lead OLCHS Spartans Signing Ceremony

OAK LAWN, IL -- His name appears on the Oak Lawn Community High School website for being Spartan Athlete of the Week so many times that he has become a household name in the area. Through hard work and determination, OLCHS senior Patrick Michaels has had quite a career throwing the shot put for the Spartans. And after he graduates this May, he will continue throwing the shot put at the Division I level of the NCAA at Western Illinois University.

Last week was unofficial college signing day for high school athletes looking to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level, and Michaels leads a strong group of Spartans looking to do just that.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve dreamed of making it big in college,” Michaels said. “By that I mean Division I. That dream was the pushing force behind every action I have done. If it weren’t for my recruiter, new throwing coach, Jeremy Snow and coach Nick Maas for walking me through the process of competing, attending WIU wouldn’t have been a possibility. I chose to partake in track and field to continue following my dream of making it to the Olympics. I’m blessed to get this opportunity to represent Western Illinois University and OLCHS in the highest level of competition.”

Over the last five years, Oak Lawn has averaged 14 student-athletes in 10 different sports per year signing to keep on scoring goals, racking up points and making tackles in college. This year the Spartans have 15 students choosing to play on in nine different sports.

Allison Yacko is another standout athlete electing to play volleyball at the next level. She is going to the Division II school Northern Michigan University on a scholarship.

“I chose Northern Michigan because I loved the school itself and the volleyball program,” Yacko said. “I knew it was the school where I wanted to spend my next four years. The volleyball program, run by coach Michael Lozier, was one I also knew I wanted to be a part of. It is a very competitive Division II conference. Everything just felt like the perfect fit, and I can’t wait to pursue my academic career at NMU. Go Wildcats!”

Other OLCHS student-athletes signing letters of intent included:

Other OLCHS student-athletes signing letters of intent included:

• Jenny Miranda, girls track and cross country, Olivet Nazarene University
• Nicole Arias, girls track, Trinity Christian College
• Kameron McNicholas, football, Saint Xavier University
• Anthony Glover, boys track, Saint Ambrose University
• Alexandria McGlynn, cheer, Saint Ambrose University
• Alex Ditzler, boys swimming, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
• Amanda and Taylor Bulow will go to Moraine Valley Community College

Other athletes who intend to play in college but have not chosen a school include girls basketball player Kiara Stallworth, boys bowler Michael Rollberg, girls track standout Blessing Egbulefu, and girls soccer player Cayley Patete is considering playing at Moraine Valley Community College.