Lincoln-Way in the News

L-W Central Athletics host College Commitment Day 2012
Friday, June 8, 2012

Lincoln-Way Central Athletic Department honored 38 students who are making the commitment to continue their education and athletic careers at the collegiate level by hosting a 2012 College Commitment Day.

"It is a huge decision to commit to play an athletic sport at the next level, be it in Division 3, Division 2, NAIA Division or Division 1 level. We want to recognize you and tell you all how proud we are of you and your 4 years at Lincoln-Way Central," Hud Venerable, Athletic Director, to the crowd of over 100 gathered in Knights' Round Table Hall during the ceremony in May.

"It is a tremendous sacrifice, it's starting over again in college to work hard to make a success at the next level. We want you all to know as alum of Lincoln-Way, once a Knight, always a Knight," Venerable added.

Tyler Price, who will be attending Elmhurst College in the fall with a wrestling scholarship said he decided on Elmhurst because the "head coach is awesome". Tyler is still undecided on his major.

Val Crilly, receiving a scholarship for girls volleyball, will also be attending Elmhurst College in the fall with a major in Special Education. She decided on Elmhurst because she "loves the girls on the team and it has an awesome volleyball program."

Brad Foster received a scholarship to play basketball at Lewis University. He liked the coaches and the campus at Lewis. His major will be physical therapy he said.

Ashley Golda will play tennis for the University of St. Francis next year. Her major will be radiography. She chose the University of St. Francis because of its well known program for tennis, she noted.

Brittnee Powers will be attending Loras College in Iowa in the fall and receive a track scholarship. She said she "loved the campus, the track coaches and the team, plus Coach Coy (her track coach at Lincoln-Way) is alum." She will major in psychology.

Lincoln-Way Central teacher and coach Kathy Sulkowski commented after the recognition ceremony, "It is an honor for every student to play at the collegiate level. It is good to see good things happen to them. The athletes work so hard during the year and this is great to honor every single student that has committed to play next year at the collegiate level."

Lincoln-Way Central students recognized at the 2012 College Commitment Day were: Boys Soccer: Jeremy Jones, Millikin University; Jonathan Stevens, St. Ambrose University; Conor Bartuch, Eastern Illinois University; Girls Swimming: Morgan Graves, DePaw University; Girls Soccer: Lauren Kelly, Miami University; Rachel Post, Carthage College; Caley Michalak, North Central College; Allison Lambert, Benedictine University; Somer Druszkowski, Augustana College (Somer will also participate in Girls Track); Girls Tennis: Ashley Golda, University of St. Francis; Wrestling: Tyler Price, Elmhurst College; Gregory Logan Doyle, Elmhurst College; Girls Track: Taylor Maloney, Lewis University; Brittnee Powers, Loras College; Boys Golf: Ronnie Boggs, Dominican University; Boys Volleyball: Clay Hermann, St. Ambrose University; Baseball: Jack Krull, Joliet Junior College; Jake Kozlowski, Joliet Junior College; Matt Filkins, Joliet Junior College; Matt Doherty, Phoenix College; Greg Wymer, Phoenix College; and Joe Gianares, St. John's University.

Additional students honored at 2012 College Commitment Day were: Girls Volleyball: Val Crilly, Elmhurst College; Lisa Keller, Dominican University; Danielle Dowd, Ferris State University; Boys Track: Brent Swanberg, University of Notre Dame; Joey Strain, Augustana College; Girls Basketball: Veronica Baldermann, Dominican University; Football: Jake Martinsen, St. Ambrose University; Matt Quinn, St. Ambrose University; Ryan Thome, St. Ambrose University; Charlie Athans, Eastern Illinois University; Mike Leibovitz, Missouri S & T; Blake Huddlestun, North Central College; Brett Ditchman, University of St. Francis; Softball: Kylie Bennett, Eastern Illinois University; Taylor Schroeder, University of St. Francis; Boys Basketball: Brad Foster, Lewis University; Girls Cross Country: Cara Robinson, Johnson University.