5 Sandburg Athletes Sign to Play College Sports

Photo: Five Sandburg High School athletes commited to play their sports at the college level including (front) Julia Borschel, Francesca Saban, Sami Knight, (back) Katie Krzus, and Kristen Zarate.

Carl Sandburg High School recognized five student athletes this morning for committing to play sports next year at the college level.

Francesca (Frankie) Saban will be attending Bradley University on a golf scholarship. Frankie will be playing in the Missouri Valley Conference for Head Coach Mary Swanson. Saban helped lead the Eagles to a 5th place finish in the IHSA state championships this year. She has been on the varsity golf team all four years and has been the Eagles MVP for three straight years.

Julia Borschel will be attending the University of North Carolina Asheville on a volleyball scholarship. Julia will be playing outside hitter for the Big South Conference school next fall. Julia who has recorded over 500 kills in her career has helped lead the Eagles to 30 wins each of the last three seasons. She also helped the Eagles to three consecutive Regional Titles and a sweet sixteen finish in 2013. She is a member of NHS, MU Alpha Theta and is in the top 10% of her class. She was an all SWSC Conference selection this year and picked up all-tournament honors at the Plainfield North Invite this year.

Sami Knight will be attending Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville next year on a volleyball scholarship. Sami will be playing the setter position for the Ohio Valley Conference School next fall. During her time at Sandburg as a 4-year varsity player she sits third on the all-time list of assists, she has been the team MVP twice and voted all conference, all area and all state for two years. The Eagles have have won three state regionals and made a sweet sixteen appearance during her career. Sami is a member of the National Honor Society.

Katie Krzus will be playing softball next year at Georgia Tech University. Katie will play first, third or outfield for Head Coach Shelly Hoerner in the ACC Conference next year. Katie helped lead the Eagles to a second place finish last year in the IHSA State Championship. She has also been named all area team for two years and was a 2014 Chicago Sun Times Honorable Mention All State player.

Kristen Zarate will be playing softball next year for Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne (IPFW). Kristen will be playing the outfield for Head Coach Germain Fairchild in the Summit Conference. Kristen lead the Eagles in plate appearances, singles, doubles, walks and most runs scored last year helping the Eagles finish second in the IHSA state championship.