Name: Adam Warda
Age: 18
Grade: Senior
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School: Niles North High School
Accomplishments: Viking star shortstop Adam Warda signed a letter of intent last Thursday to attend and play baseball at Southern Illinois University, a Division I school, earning him a full scholarship in the process. Warda has been a member of the varsity squad since his sophomore year and was named to the Central Suburban League All Conference team.
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He struggled with a shoulder injury as a junior but has come back strong this season to rip the cover off the ball. After 15 games, Warda has a .482 batting average with five doubles, four home runs, 24 RBIs and a .523 on-base percentage. He also leads the team with four game-winning hits.
Viking’s baseball coach Eduardo Toledo had this to say about Warda: “Adam is a very good high school ballplayer. He can run, hit, and hit for power. Adam is also a top notch fielder. He was our third baseman his sophomore year but he moved over to play shortstop without missing a beat. He can go to the left or the right, and can throw a runner out from deep in the hole. Adam can simply do it all. He just makes all aspects of the game look easy.”
Toledo also believes Warda has extraordinary potential and a very bright baseball future.
“Adam is a superb athlete, but he’s not content with where he’s at,” Eduardo said. “He has the talent, work ethic and fortitude to take it to the next levels. He is also a great role model and team leader.”
Key to Awesomeness: Warda’s success is driven by a passion for baseball and an ongoing determination to improve his game.
“I just love baseball,” Warda said. “I started when I was 8-years-old with my dad pitching to me. I played Skokie Indians ball, and in the Niles North feeder system. I also played for the Norwood Blues of the National Amateur Baseball Federation.
“Every step of the way has been a lot of fun,” he added.
In Carbondale, Warda plans to major in accounting. His immediate goal is to start on the varsity team as a freshman. Down the line, Warda hopes to be drafted by a professional baseball team.
In somewhat modest fashion, Warda also credits his success to his mother, Noreen Warda, for her unyielding support and coming to his countless ball games over the years.
