Mr. Doug Ternik, Athletic Director at Providence Catholic High School, announced that eleven student-athletes will be continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level. “We couldn’t be prouder of these outstanding young athletes, who have excelled both in the classroom and as a leader in their sport. As they take this exciting next step, we extend our best wishes for their future and look forward to seeing all they will accomplish, both on the field and beyond,” said Ternik.
Luke Switalski, of Oak Forest, has committed to continuing his bowling career at Mt. Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A devoted student-athlete, Switalski has been a member of the Providence Catholic bowling team. He is a member of the National Honor Society, and is an honor roll student. A graduate of St. Damian School and a member of St. John Fisher parish, Switalski earned a Presidential Scholarship for academics at Mt. Mercy. He is the son of Phil and Amy Switalski. “I would like to thank my parents, brother, sister, and my grandma for always supporting through my journey,” says Switalski. “Providence has prepared me for college by challenging me academically but most importantly, Providence taught me the core values of truth unity and love which will stick with me for the rest of my life.”
Cara Kucharski, of Lockport, has committed to continuing her basketball career at Saint Mary’s College and University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana. Focused on her role as a student-athlete, Kucharski has been a member of the basketball team her freshman and sophomore years, and served as a football team manager her junior and senior year. She was inducted as a member of the National Honor Society as a junior, is an honor roll student, and is a member of several clubs including the Coding Club, IALAC 2.0, Math Team, Student Council, and Habitat for Humanity. In addition, she serves as a Student Ambassador for Providence Catholic. At St. Mary’s, she has earned the Saint Mary’s Presidential Scholarship. Kucharski plans to major in Mathematics at Saint Mary’s College and Electrical Engineering at Notre Dame. She will also minor in Environmental Studies. She is the daughter of Mike and Joy Kucharski, and a graduate of St. Dennis School of which she is also a parishioner. “I want to thank my family, especially my parents for supporting me through my journey and my sister for inspiring me to play in the first place. Also want thank my friends for being their along the journey,” says Kucharski. “Providence has pushed me to find topics I am interested in and to take classes similar to those interests. It has also pushed me to put forth my best effort and not slack off because school is important in order to succeed in what you want to become.”
Andrew Jones, of Mokena, has committed to continuing his baseball career St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. A member of the Honor Roll, Jones was also inducted into the National Honor Society. During his time at Providence, he has also served as a member of Habitat for Humanity. Athletically, he played basketball his freshman year, and was a member of the baseball team all four years. At. St. Ambrose, he plans to major in Physical Therapy, and is attending on athletic and academic scholarship. He is a graduate of St. Mary Catholic School in Mokena, where he is also a parishioner. He is the son of Allen and Michelle Jones. “I would like to thank God, my parents, coaches, and teammates,” says Jones. “Providence prepared me for college by providing me a quality education and the leadership skills to be successful at the next level. My teachers and coaches gave me the confidence required to handle the challenges of being a student-athlete.”
Payton Jerik, of Tinley Park, has committed to continuing her cheerleading career at the University of Iowa in Johnson County, Iowa. Inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior, Jerik is a member of the National Honor Society and has also served diligently on Habitat for Humanity. She has been on the cheerleading team all four years. She plans to major in Radiology. Jerik is a graduate of Prairie View Middle School, and is a member of St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr Catholic Church. She is the daughter of Thomas and Lisa Jerik. “I would like to thank my parents and coaches for their guidance over the years,” says Jerik. “Through the constant support of all the teachers and staff, Providence has helped me learn how to keep a schedule and not get stressed when I have a lot to handle at once. I am excited for the next step on my academic and athletic journey!”
Jackson Fowler, of Frankfort, has Signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his volleyball career on Academic & Athletic Scholarship at Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina. Fowler is an honor roll student, inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior. He was involved in school activities, including Habitat for Humanity and the Augustinian Youth Ministry, while also serving as a Student Ambassador. Athletically, he played football and basketball his freshman and sophomore seasons, and has been a member of the volleyball team all four years. As a volleyball player, he was named Chicago Catholic League (CCL) All Conference player as a junior and is serving as the team captain his senior year. He plans to major in Pre-Dental and minor in Biology. He was awarded an NCAA D1/D2 Athletic Scholarship as well as the Barton College Presidential Scholarship. Fowler is the son of Chris and Ginny Fowler. He is a graduate of Noonan Academy and is a member of St. Mary Mokena Parish. “I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my athletic journey. A huge thank you to Coach Barbie and Coach Tim for being my club coaches over the past two years. You’ve pushed me to grow and always believed in me. Thank you to Coach Lee for being my varsity coach these last three years and helping shape me into the athlete I am today. Most importantly, thank you to my parents for their constant love, support, and sacrifices. I wouldn’t be here without you,” says Fowler. “Providence Catholic has prepared me for college by challenging me academically, helping me develop strong time management skills, and encouraging me to grow in my faith and character. The supportive teachers and rigorous coursework pushed me to think critically, communicate effectively, and stay disciplined—skills I know will be essential in college and beyond.”
Gavin Kenny, of Frankfort, has committed to continuing his basketball career at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois. Kenny has been a member of the football, basketball, and track teams during his time at Providence Catholic, earning recognition as an Indoor Track All Conference selection. He plans to major in Business. Kenny is a graduate of Noonan Academy and a member of Parkview Christian Church. He is the son of Dermot and Amy Kenny. “I’d like to thank my family and my friends for motivating me to work hard, and supporting me along my way,” says Kenny. “Providence has prepared me for college with rigorous academic training and a strong family based community. I have so many people in my life pulling for me and am thankful that they were put into my life. God is good.”
Seth Cheney of Frankfort has committed to continuing his basketball career on an Academic Scholarship at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. Cheney was a dedicated student-athlete at Providence, serving as a member of the football team for three years and the basketball team for four. He was named Football All-Conference player, and in basketball, was name MVP his junior and senior years in addition to being selected for All Conference and All Area. He plans to major in Business Finance, and earned the Cardinal Pledge Scholarship at North Central. He graduated from Manhattan Junior High School and is a member of South Holland Church of Christ. He is the son of Adam and Michelle Cheney. “I would like to thank my family, as well as my coaches: Coach Kozan, Coach Trendel, Coach Mandela, Coach Cleveland, and Coach Plantz,” says Cheney. “I am ready for the next step in my academic and athletic journey, thanks to the teachers and classes at Providence.”
Julianna Di Maria, of Plainfield, has committed to continuing her tennis career on academic scholarship at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. Di Maria was inducted into the National Honor Society, and continues to be an honor roll student. At Providence, she is also a member of the Art Club. She is a dedicated member of the tennis team. At St. Ambrose, she plans to major in Marketing and minor in Graphic Design. The daughter of Frank and Roseann Di Maria, she is a graduate of St. Mary Immaculate Parish School and is also a member of the Parish there. “I would like to thank my parents and coaches for pushing me to be the best version of myself and steering me onto the right path of dedication and perseverance. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without their support, guidance and sacrifice. I am very grateful,” says Di Maria. “Providence has given me opportunities to help me grow academically and spiritually. Being able to attend Mass with my peers has given me a sense of what the Providence family is truly about and the values they teach. I am excited to start this new chapter of my life bringing these experiences into my college journey.”
Tyler Cucio, of Lockport, has committed to continuing his football career at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois. A member of the honor roll, Cucio has been very involved in both athletics and activities, including serving on the Student Council and as a Student Ambassador. Athletically, he was a member of the football and basketball teams all four years at Providence. He is the son of Jeff and Amy Cucio, is a graduate of Homer Junior High School, and is a member of Our Mother of Good Counsel Parish. “I would like to thank my family, friends, and coaches for their support over the years” says Cucio. “I would also like to thank my teachers, who challenge us every day to be our best and keep growing in the classroom.”
Michael Sisk, of Mokena, has committed to continuing his wrestling career at Wabash in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Sisk is a member of the honor roll, and has been a dedicated athlete at Providence. He was a member of the baseball team his freshman year, and has been a part of the football and wrestling teams all four years. In wrestling, Sisk is a two-time State Qualifier his junior and senior year; was named CCL All Conference his junior year; and was Most Improved his junior year. At Wabash, he plans to major in Pre-Law, and is a recipient of the Presidential and Snodell Scholarships. He is the son of Lawrence and Jenell Sisk, and is a graduate of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School and is a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. “I would like to thank all coaches inside and outside of Providence who helped me get here, especially Coach Plantz and Coach Reynolds,” says Sisk. “Providence has challenged me academically and encouraged me to strive to do my best.”
Frederick “Koda” Miller, of Crete, has committed to continuing his football career at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin on academic scholarship. Miller has been a member of the honor roll, and has performed with the school band since his freshman year at Providence. In athletics, Miller has been a member of the football and wrestling teams all four years, as well as a shot-putter for the track team his freshman and sophomore year. In football, her was named All Conference his senior year, in addition to earning the Matt Senffner award at Providence and serving as varsity captain. His sophomore and junior years, he earned Honorable Mention. In wrestling, he was named Most Improved his sophomore and junior year. At St. Norbert, he plans to major in Criminal Justice and minor in Business, and earned the JFK Award and the Inclusive Leadership Award Scholarship. He is the son of Frederick Miller III and Trevon Lones, and is a graduate of Crete Monee Middle School and a member of New Hope Church. “I would like to first and foremost thank God for letting me have this opportunity to play the sport i love for another four years. I would like to thank my mom and grandma for raising me to the man I am today. When no one else believed in me, they always did, so I give it all to them,” says Miller. “Through Providence, I have learned how to be loving and caring for others. This school has helped me prepare for college.”