Below are press releases of the Class of 2010 students who have committed to continue their respective sport at the collegiate level.
5-13-10
Three Providence Catholic Student-Athletes make College Commitments
(New Lenox) - Don Sebestyen, Principal of Providence Catholic High School, is pleased to announce that seniors Tyler Plantz, Cody Cleveland and Steven Laski have made commitments to continue playing football at the collegiate level. “We are very proud these gentleman and wish them all the very best,” offered Sebestyen.
Tyler Plantz, son of Ronald and Laura Plantz of Frankfort, will attend the University of Notre Dame where he plans to major in Business Entrepreneurship and continue his football career. Plantz is a graduate of Hickory Creek Middle School and a parishioner at St. Mary Parish in Mokena. The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society, an Illinois State Scholar and Vice President of the Student Council. Furthermore, Plantz is a member of the Augustinian Youth Ministry (AYM), a Student Ambassador, a Eucharistic Minister and was a member of Habitat for Humanity.
Plantz played for the Celtics football and wrestling teams his entire high school career. He was named to the Illinois Coaches Association All-State Academic team based on GPA and ACT scores for both football and wrestling. In addition, he was named to the Chicago Catholic League Blue All-Conference team and is a member of the 2009 Class 6A State Runner-up team. As linebacker and Captain of the football team, he had 107 tackles, 1 caused fumble, 3.5 sacks and 3 hurries in the 2009 season. In addition, he was named to the Chicagoland All-Area team in 2008 and 2009, Sun Times All-Area team in 2009 and was named Providence Catholic Defense co-MVP in 2009.
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Cody Cleveland, son of Dennis and Becky Cleveland of Mokena, will attend Montana State University where he will continue his football career. He is currently undecided as to his major. Cleveland is a graduate of Hickory Creek Middle School and is a member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. He has played on the Celtic football team all four years and is a member of the 2009 Class 6A State Runner-up team. As safety, Cleveland had 7 interceptions, 1.5 sacks and 47 tackles in the 2009 season.
Steven Laski, son of Robert and Marcia Laski of Mokena, will also attend Montana State University where he plans to major in Pre-Medicine and continue his football career. Laski is a graduate of Hickory Creek Middle School and a parishioner at St. Mary Parish in Mokena. He has played on the Celtic football and wrestling teams all four years and the track team for the past three years. Laski was also a member of the newly formed Bass Fishing team this year.
As a defensive lineman for the Celtic football team, he had 104 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries (1 for TD), 1 rushing TD, 6.5 sacks and 7 hurries. Furthermore, the member of 2009 Class 6A State Runner-up team was named to the IHSA All-State team, Chicago Tribune All-Area team, Chicago Catholic League Blue All-Conference team and was named Providence Catholic Defense co-MVP.
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5-3-10
Five Providence Catholic Student-Athletes make College Commitments
(New Lenox) - Don Sebestyen, Principal of Providence Catholic High School, is pleased to announce that seniors Kathryn Budz, Melissa Budz, Sarah Knouse, Timothy Hanrahan and Jeff Hayes have made commitments to continue playing their respective sports at the collegiate level. “We are very proud of these young men and women who have worked hard. We wish them the very best,” offered Sebestyen.
Kathryn and Melissa Budz, daughters of Joseph and Diane Budz of Orland Park, will attend Dominican University where they both plan to major in Nutrition/Dietetics. They are graduates of Century Junior High School and parishioners at St. Francis of Assisi. Kathryn will continue her basketball career and Melissa will play volleyball. Kathryn is an honor roll student, a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. She is also a Eucharistic Minister and Library Aid. Kathryn has played for the Celtic basketball and softball teams all four years, and was named Captain of both teams in senior year. Melissa is an honor roll student, a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society and an Illinois State Scholar. She recently received the AP Spanish Award and English Honors Award. She is a Eucharistic Minister. Melissa has played for the Celtic volleyball team her entire high school career.
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Sarah Knouse, daughter of Peter and Maureen Knouse of Homer Glen, will attend Saint Louis University where she plans to major in Biology and continue her volleyball career. Knouse is a graduate of Homer Junior High and a parishioner at Our Mother of Good Counsel. The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society and Habitat for Humanity. She has played for the Celtic volleyball team all four years and was named ESCC All-Conference and All-Tournament at Benet Academy, Plainfield North and Rich East. Furthermore, Knouse received the Hardest Worker and Leadership award from the Celtics coaching staff.
Tim Hanrahan, son of Timothy and Julianne Hanrahan of Frankfort, will attend Northwestern University where he plans to major in Engineering and continue his football career. Hanrahan is a graduate of Hickory Creek Middle School and a parishioner at St. Mary Parish in Mokena. The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society, an AP Scholar, an Illinois State Scholar and a peer tutor. Hanrahan played all four years for the Celtic football and baseball teams. He was named All-State (football), All-State Academic Team (football) and All-Conference (twice for football and once for baseball). In addition, Hanrahan was named CCL-Blue Offense Co-MVP (football).
Jeff Hayes, son of Pete and Denise Hayes of Homer Glen, will attend St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI where he plans to major in Accounting and continue his soccer career. Hayes is a graduate of SS. Cyril & Methodius School and a member of the parish. The honor roll student has served as a Student Council Representative all four years and was named Student of the Month. Hayes has been a member of the Celtic soccer team his entire high school career and was named Captain in junior and senior years. He was named to the IHSSCA All-Sectional Team, CCL All-Conference Team and All-Area Team.
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2-3-10
Three Providence Catholic Student-Athletes sign National Letters of Intent
(New Lenox) - Don Sebestyen, Principal of Providence Catholic High School is pleased to announce that seniors Peter Houlihan, Joseph Sawicki and Alec Pickett signed National Letters of Intent to continue playing their respective sports at the collegiate level. “We are very excited for these young men who have worked hard, both on the field and in the classroom. We wish them the very best,” offered Sebestyen.
Peter Houlihan, son of Mark and Ester Houlihan of New Lenox, signed his National Letter of Intent to attend Eastern Illinois University on a full athletic scholarship where he will continue his football career. He plans to major in Kinesiology and Sports Medicine. Houlihan is a graduate of St. Jude School in New Lenox and a member of their parish. The honor roll student has been named “Student of the Month,” and is a member of the Augustinian Youth Ministry (AYM).
Houlihan was a member of the Celtic football team all four years and also played for the Celtics hockey (grade 11), track (grade 11) and baseball (grade 9-10). He played defensive back, wide receiver and returned kickoffs and punts for the Celtic football team. He had 55 tackles, 2 punt returns for a touchdown, 1 kickoff return for a touchdown, 6 interceptions (2 for touchdowns) 16 receptions for 366 yards and 3 touchdowns. Houlihan received the Chicago Catholic League (CCL) Blue Division Tony Lawless Player of the Year award, CCL All-Conference Team, All-State Team by IHSA, Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Tribune and Rivals.com, Southtown-Star All-Area team and ESPN Chicago All-Area Prep Team. In addition, he was named “Player of the Year” by Herald News Gridiron, WJOL Radio and Old Spice.
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Joseph Sawicki, son of Mark and Linda Sawicki of Mokena, signed his National Letter of Intent to attend Central Michigan University where he will continue his football career on an athletic scholarship. Sawicki is a graduate of Mokena Junior High and a parishioner at St. Mary Catholic Church in Mokena. He has played for the Celtic football team for his entire high school career. Sawicki started his junior and senior years at tight end and wide receiver, combining for 779 yards on 50 receptions, including 3 touchdowns, 4 kickoff returns for 57 yards and 1 punt for 15 yards.
Alec Pickett, son of Steve and Yvonne Pickett of Homer Glen, signed his National Letter of Intent to attend Lewis University where he will continue his soccer career on a combined academic/athletic scholarship. Pickett is a graduate of Homer Junior High and a parishioner at Our Mother of Good Counsel. The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society and was named an Illinois State Scholar. He has played for the Celtic soccer and football teams for all four years. Pickett was also a member of the track team his first three years of high school. Furthermore, he was named to the CCL All-Conference Soccer team twice and Team MVP.
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11-19-09
Four Providence Catholic Student-Athletes sign National Letters of Intent
(New Lenox) - Don Sebestyen, Principal of Providence Catholic High School is pleased to announce that seniors Chloe Oprzedek, Hannah Gardner, John Ciolkosz and Denny Falls signed National Letters of Intent to continue playing their respective sports at the collegiate level. “Congratulations to these fine students who were recognized for their athletic abilities and academic standing. We wish them the best,” offered Sebestyen.
Chloe Oprzedek, daughter of Ed and Thea Oprzedek of Lockport, signed her National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Arkansas where she will continue her softball career and plans to major in Kinesiology. Oprzedek is a graduate of St. Jude School in New Lenox and a member of their parish. She has been a starter for the Celtic softball team her entire high school career. During her 2009 season, shortstop Oprzedek had an impressive .405 batting average, the highest on the team. She also led her team with the most doubles (13), triples (4) and was the first player to be named Varsity Captain as a junior. Furthermore, she has been named All-Area 3rd team ‘08, All-Area 1st team ’09, All-Conference ’09 and New Lenox Patriot’s “Player of the Week”.
Hannah Gardner, daughter of Tim and Lori Gardner of Frankfort, signed her National Letter of Intent to attend Olivet Nazarene University where she will continue her softball career and plans to major in Education. Gardner is a graduate of Hickory Creek Middle School. She has played for the varsity Celtic softball team her entire high school career. As second baseman and shortstop, Gardner was named Team MVP in 2009, when she also had a 22 game hitting streak and a .375 batting average. She has been named All-Area 2nd team ’08, All-Conference SS ’08, All-Area 1st team ’09 and All-Conference 2B ’09.
John Ciolkosz, son of Phil and Patricia Ciolkosz of Homer Glen, signed his National Letter of Intent to attend St. Joseph’s College in Indiana where he will continue his baseball career and plans to major in Mathematics. Ciolkosz is a graduate of Homer Junior High and a parishioner at St. Bernard’s. The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS) and has played for the Celtic baseball team his entire high school career. In 2009, he pitched 4 and 2 on the mound, which was the 2nd best record for the team.
Denny Falls, son of Dennis and Teri Falls of Orland Park, signed his National Letter of Intent to attend Stanford University where he will continue his volleyball career. Falls is a graduate of Century Junior High and a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi. The honor roll student is a member of the National Honor Society (NHS) and has played for the Celtic volleyball team his entire high school career and junior high. As middle-blocker, Falls was named Varsity Captain (2 years), All-State 3rd team ’09, All-Conference and Team MVP.
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