Marist Seniors Commit to College Athletics

Fifteen Marist High School seniors participated in a signing ceremony on Wednesday, April 15 to commit to their respective college athletic programs.

Marist’s wrestling program had five student-athletes sign. Alex Benoit will continue his career at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Benoit (Mt. Greenwood) is a three-time state place winner and Junior National All-American. Nick Gasbarro will wrestle for the University of Illinois at Champaign. At Marist, Gasbarro (Olympia Fields) was a three-time state qualifier, finishing fifth in state in 2015 at 145lbs. David Kasper will attend and wrestle for Eastern Michigan University. Kasper is a three-time state qualifier and two-time state place winner. Nick Lukanich (LaGrange) will continue his collegiate career at McKendree College. He is a two-time state qualifier and three-time Junior National All-American. Jake Poole (Mt. Greenwood) will wrestle for Augustana College. With the RedHawks, he was an East Suburban Catholic Conference runner-up and regional runner-up.

Additionally, three girls basketball players will continue to play at the college level. Bridget Bilek (Mt. Greenwood), a team captain and guard, will attend Lake Forest College. Forward Daniela Boricich (Lemont) will play for Elmhurst College. Katie Houbolt (Oak Lawn), a guard, will join the Ave Maria University program in Florida.

Three football players also signed to continue their athletic career. Jawill Aldridge (Ashburn), a running back and defensive back, will play for Illinois State University. Offensive lineman Jake Ford (Mt. Greenwood) will attend and play for South Dakota State. Ford also wrestled for the RedHawks, becoming a state champion in 2015 at 285lbs. Pat O’Connor (Orland Park), a defensive lineman, will play for St. Norbert College in DePere, Wis.

Several other athletes represented their respective Marist programs. Track and cross country stand out Mike Conrad will run for St. Joseph’s College in Indiana. Conrad (Orland Park) was a team captain for Marist, setting several personal records and beating his own times by more than a minute. Daniella Dellorto (Mt. Greenwood), a right defenseman who kept a busy schedule playing for both the RedHawks and a club team, will join the women’s hockey program at Utica College in upstate New York. Softball player Hayley Franks committed to Lindenwood University in Missouri. Franks (Garfield Ridge) has been the starting first baseman for two seasons and a team captain during her senior year. Sarah Lowery (West Beverly) will continue her volleyball career at St. Anselm College in Manchester, NH. Lowery put in four years as a RedHawk as an outside hitter.

“Today was a great day for these families and Marist athletics,” said Bob Lim, Marist’s athletic director. “This is a reflection of the dedication and hard work these kids have demonstrated, the commitment of their coaches, and the constant support of their parents.”

Marist competes in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, and each year dozens of students are recruited to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level.

PHOTO: Marist seniors signed to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. They are (seated from left) Daniella Dellorto, Daniella Boricich, Sarah Lowery, Bridget Bilek, Katie Houbolt, (second row) Hayley Franks, Mike Conrad, Nick Lukanich, Nick Gasbarro, David Kasper, (third row) President Br. Hank Hammer, Athletic Director Bob Lim, Alex Benoit, Jake Poole, Jake Ford, Jawill Aldridge, Pat O’Connor, Principal Larry Tucker