NEW LENOX (November 13, 2024) – Mr. Doug Ternik, Athletic Director at Providence Catholic High School, shared the exciting news that twelve student-athletes will be advancing to compete at the collegiate level. “We are incredibly proud of these young athletes, who demonstrate excellence not only in the classroom but also as leaders in both their academics and athletics. As they embark on this next chapter of their lives, we send them our best wishes for continued success and look forward to following their achievements in their respective sports,” said Ternik.
Ella Kucala, a resident of Monee, will be continuing her softball career at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. She is the daughter of Chris and Jamie Kucala and a graduate of St. Mary Catholic School in Mokena, where she is also an active parishioner. An honor roll student, Kucala has been involved with Habitat for Humanity and has demonstrated athletic versatility, competing on the cross country team during her freshman and sophomore years while playing softball all four years of high school.
Molly Knight, from Joliet, will continue her basketball career at the University of Illinois Springfield on an athletic scholarship. She is the daughter of Matt Knight and a graduate of Martino Junior High. A member of St. Mary’s Mokena Parish, Knight is also an honor roll student, a member of the National Honor Society, and actively involved in Habitat for Humanity. She also serves as a Student Ambassador. Throughout her four years at Providence, Knight has excelled in basketball, earning numerous accolades, including All-Conference honors as a sophomore, a spot on the Marian Catholic Christmas Tournament All-Tournament Team as a sophomore, and recognition on the WJOL All-Tournament Team. She also earned the Grow the Game – Player of the Game award and was named to the All-Conference and All-State Special Mention teams in her junior year. “I would like to thank my dad, my sisters, the Providence Catholic coaching staff, and my teammates,” says Knight.
Declan DeMent of Lemont has signed his Letter of Commitment to play baseball at Joliet Junior College. He is the son of Mike and Molly DeMent, a graduate of Old Quarry Middle School, and a member of St. Patrick’s Parish. Declan plans to major in Applied Entrepreneurship and minor in Fire Science. On the athletic front, he has been a member of the hockey team during his freshman and sophomore years and has played baseball all four years at Providence, including being part of the 2024 4A State Championship Baseball Team. “Providence has taught me the importance of self-advocacy and self-responsibility. Providence has prepared me for college by challenging my time management skills between practice, games and studying for my various tests and quizzes throughout my past years at Providence. Furthermore, Providence has helped me tremendously with my faith, especially teaching me how to apply my faith into my everyday life,” says DeMent. “I would like to thank God first for blessing me with the ability to get this far in the game of baseball. I also want to thank my family who have been with me every step on this journey; all of my coaches from little league to high school that helped me develop my love for this game; and last but not least, I want to give a special thanks to Coach Smith, Coach Osborne, Dean Anna and my Uncle Dan who has spent countless hours throwing to me in the cage and sharpening my overall skills as a player.”
Blake Jenner of Lemont has signed his National Letter of Intent to attend Parkland College on both an athletic and academic scholarship. He is the son of Mark and Kathy Jenner and a graduate of St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic School, where he is also a parishioner. An honor roll student, Jenner plans to major in Business at Parkland. He was a member of the basketball team during his freshman and sophomore years and played baseball all four years, including being part of the 2024 4A State Championship Baseball Team. “Providence has helped me learn how to prepare for the next level both academically and athletically. It has also helped me become a better person,” says Jenner. “I would like to thank my parents, family, friends, all my coaches, and anyone who has helped me along the way.”
Luke Zbonski of Tinley Park has signed his Letter of Commitment to play baseball at St. Xavier University on both an athletic and academic scholarship. He is the son of John and Tricia Zbonski, a graduate of Central Middle School, and a member of St. Stephen Parish. An honor roll student, Luke has been actively involved in Augustinian Youth Ministry and was inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior. He plans to major in Finance and Professional Selling. On the athletic front, Luke played football during his sophomore and junior years and has been a member of the baseball team all four years, including being part of the 2024 4A State Championship Baseball Team. “Providence has prepared me by having tough classes and teachers who assist students in their academics,” Zbonski says. “I would like to thank my family, friends, and all the coaches that have helped me along the way.”
Declan Kmiecik of Mokena has signed his National Letter of Commitment to play baseball at Rock Valley College. He is the son of Mark and Erin Kmiecik, a graduate of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School, and a member of St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr Parish. Declan plans to major in Business. An honor roll student, he was inducted into the National Honor Society during his junior year. He has been a member of the baseball team all four years, including playing on the 2024 4A State Championship Baseball Team. “Providence has prepared me through the strong curriculum, and it has given me a head start through some of the college level classes,” says Kmiecik. “I would like to thank my parents, family, teammates, coaches and friends.”
Cooper Eggert of Lockport has committed to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) to continue his baseball career on Athletic Scholarship. He is the son of Nick and Karli Eggert and is a graduate of Oak Prairie Junior High. He is also a member of Our Mother Of Good Counsel Parish. Cooper was a member of the basketball team his freshman and sophomore years, and has been with the baseball program all four years. In addition, he has been named Baseball All Conference and Baseball 3rd Team All State his junior year, as well as playing on the 2024 4A State Championship Baseball Team. “The classes have given me insight into how college will be and how to prepare for it,” says Eggert. “I would like to thank Coach Lyons at SIUE for believing in me.”
Shawn Krieps of Mokena has committed to Carthage College to continue his baseball career on an academic scholarship. He is the son of Jeff and Jamie Krieps, a graduate of Summit Hill Junior High, and a member of St. Stephen’s Parish. Shawn plans to major in Marketing. An honor roll student, he has been dedicated to his athletics, playing on the baseball team all four years, including being part of the 2024 4A State Championship Baseball Team. “Providence prepared me for college by pushing me academically, helping me grow through activities, and giving me a supportive community to build confidence and independence,” says Krieps. “I would like to thank my mom, dad, brother, all my coaches, teachers, friends, and God.”
Declan Kane of Tinley Park committed to St. Norbert College to continue his Baseball career on an Academic Scholarship. He is the son of Tim and Julie Kane. He graduated from Summit Hill Junior High, and is a member of St. Stephen’s Deacon and Martyr Parish. He plans to major in Business Analytics and minor in Marketing. At Providence, he is a member of the honor roll and served as a Celtic Time leader his sophomore year. He has been a member of the baseball team all four years, including playing on the 2024 4A State Championship Baseball Team. “Providence has taught me to always stay ambitious and never settle,” says Kane.
Nate O’Donnell of New Lenox signed his National Letter of Intent to the University of Minnesota for Baseball on an Athletic Scholarship. He is the son of Chris and Lisa O’Donnell, and is a graduate of Homer Junior High. O’Donnell plans to major in Business. He has been a member of the basketball team as a freshman, and has played on the varsity baseball team all four years, including playing on the 2024 4A State Championship Baseball Team. A member of the honor roll, he has also been recognized as the Baseball Catholic League Blue Player of the year his junior year. “Providence has prepared me both academically and athletically for college,” says O’Donnell. “I would like to thank my paretns and coaches for believing in me and supporting me throughout my career.”
Kasten Goebbert of Downers Grove signed his National Letter of Intent to Gulf Coast State College for Baseball on an Athletic Scholarship. He is the son of Brad and Amy Goebbert, and is a graduate of Oak Prairie Junior High and has been a member of the baseball program all four years at Providence Catholic, including playing on the 2024 4A State Championship Baseball Team. “Providence showed me how to be a good person and a good teammate,” Goebbert says. “I would like to thank everyone who has helped me get to where I am, especially my family.”
Enzo Infelise of Joliet signed his National Letter of Intent to the University of Cincinnati for baseball on an Athletic Scholarship. He is the son of Benny and Alison Infelise. He is a graduate of Homer Junior High and a member of Our Mother Of Good Counsel Parish. He plans to major in Business. He has been a member of the baseball team all four years, and was named Team MVP, Player of the Year in the CCL Blue League, All-State, and has been named All-Conference twice in addition to being a member of the 2024 4A State Championship Team. “Providence has prepared me to prioritize and be prepared for everything that will come,” says Infelise. “I would like to thank my parents and coaches for helping through everything and making this possible.”