Athletics Highlights

By Kevin Kelly '80

SOFTBALL

// Marian Catholic’s softball team gave a hint of its potential by finishing just a game out of second place in the highly competitive East Suburban Catholic Conference. However, the Spartans would still need to rely on postseason success to achieve a record above .500.

Led by ESCC All-Conference selections Isabel Alvarez '23, Gracie Jensen '25, and Katie Pollock '23, this group of Spartans proved to be the ultimate example of peaking at the right time.

Seeded just sixth in its IHSA Class 3A Sub-Sectional complex, Marian began its upset parade with a regional victory over ESCC rival Joliet Catholic Academy. The magical journey extended for two more victories and a place in the IHSA Sweet 16.

“Last season, our varsity squad was incredibly resilient. They grew in both their athleticism and camaraderie as a result of exceptional senior leadership. I am so proud of the entire team, and their commitment to this school and our softball program. Their hard work resulted in a legendary finish. We brought home the regional title against Providence in an exciting and challenging game, and continued to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in almost two decades.”

NORA ZERANTE '11, MARIAN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL COACH

Providence, who represented the top seed in the Sub-Sectional, earned an earlier 13-0 conquest of the Spartans. But in its own regional final, Marian Catholic jumped to an early 8-0 command and held on for an 8-7 victory, as hurler Katie Pollock earned a unique win and save in the contest.

Spurred by seniors Danielle Crockett, Dasia Lopez, Sarah Segarra, and Brooke Waddle, Marian next rolled to a 9-0 victory over Oak Forest in the Joliet Catholic Sectional semifinals. Only eventual state champion Lemont could turn back Marian in the sectional final with a 5-0 decision. Pollock held Lemont on even 0-0 terms into the sixth inning.

“We often talk about the word ‘legacy’ in the program,” explained head coach Zerante, whose squad finished 18-17. “Being on a team gives us a unique opportunity to make an impact in our school community far beyond just one season. I know that theirs is a story we will tell for many seasons to come.”

TENNIS

// Men’s tennis had four athletes make the state grade from a squad that finished tied for second at May’s IHSA Oak Forest Class 1A Sectional. Both Marian Catholic doubles teams advanced to IHSA State, including Nick Kirsch '23 with Jonathon Bolton '24, and David Helsel '22 with Matthew Jenkins '24.

// This fall, Marian Catholic also made the IHSA state grade in women’s tennis, where the senior doubles team of Clare Smith and Jaidyn Bush achieved the honor. As a team, the Spartans notched third place in the 10-school Marian Catholic Sectional.

TRACK & FIELD

// The Spartan men’s and women’s track squads were well represented at the IHSA state level last spring. For the women’s team, two returnees to the IHSA State meet turned in impressive finishes.

Mia Rodriquez '24 timed 57.59 to capture second place in state in the 400-meter-run in Class 2A, while Danielle Crockett '22 earned fifth place in state in the Discus with a toss of 39.05 meters. Rodriquez and Crockett also won ESCC championships in the same events, as Crockett broke her own ESCC record in the Discus with a winning hurl of 128-1.

Braydon Waller '23 // The men’s team sent four entries to the IHSA State meet, including a pair of top-six finishers. Braydon Waller '23 timed 10.70 to capture third place in the Class 2A 100-meter dash. Marian placed sixth overall in the 400-meter relay behind the foursome of Austin Alexander '24, Michael Van Hootegem '23, Myles Davis '22, and Waller.

Ryan Tuley '23, Bryan Johnson '22, Noah Deabel '22, and Daniel Kasperan '25

Distance standout Daniel Kasperan '25 was 22nd at state in the 1,600 meters with a clocking of 4:48:88. The Spartan 3,200-meter relay team also earned 22nd place with the quartet of Ryan Tuley '23, Noah Deable '22, Kasperan, and Bryan Johnson '22.

After longtime strong leadership in the track program from head coaches LaVon Burks and Bob Kingery, new Marian Catholic Dean Curtis Crossley will take over the track programs for the 2023 season and looks forward to several key returnees and continued success in both programs.

NICK LOPEZ '00 NAMED 10TH FOOTBALL COACH

Seeking to build on his success as a Spartan athlete and a sterling reputation as an assistant coach and program builder, Nick Lopez was called to lead Marian Catholic’s football program in November 2021.

Serving most recently as Offensive Coordinator for the Spartans, Lopez also owns eight years of experience on the football staff at Bloom Township. In both cases, he helped guide the programs out of long IHSA playoff droughts.

“Nick possesses a tremendous knowledge of what it takes to move a football program to the next level,” according to Athletic Director Kevin Kelly '80. “His background and experience reflect that he will bring improvement to all aspects of the program, in particular through organizational expertise and off-season strategy. “With deep roots in the tradition of Marian Catholic football, Nick owns the perfect demeanor and motivational skills to bring out the best in Spartan athletes.”

A product of the late Dave Mattio '66 and one of the state’s most successful football programs, Lopez’ playing career saw a Chicagoland Prep Bowl championship game appearance and a visit to the IHSA Class 5A state championship game in 1999, his senior year.

“Marian Catholic is a very special place for my family and me,” said Lopez, who also served as a student assistant at Eastern Illinois

University. “I’m excited to be given the opportunity to restore our rich, historical football program. “Just as legendary Coach Mattio guided us, I want our student-athletes to experience what it is like to make deep runs into late November. Also, I want to make everyone associated with our program from the past, present and future, proud to don the Black, White, and Gold of Marian Catholic.” Lopez succeeds Erick Middleton '98, another Marian Catholic product. In four seasons at the helm, Middleton led the Spartans to two CCL-ESCC Red Division championships and Marian’s first IHSA playoff appearance in nine years in 2019.

“Erick has had a strong hand in helping Marian Catholic begin to turn the corner,” Kelly praised. “Much like Nick and the Lopez family, the Middleton family has left an impressive multigenerational impact on the Marian community. With continued building enhanced by a 6-2 freshman-sophomore team, the current and future Marian staff has things pointed in the right direction.”

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

// Battling one of the area’s toughest schedules, the Marian Catholic women’s volleyball team had its ups and downs during the campaign – but proved to peak at the right time. Seeded fifth in the Joliet Catholic IHSA 3A Sectional, the Spartans topped Hinsdale South to open postseason play and then stunned a 29-win and third-seeded Morris squad to win the Morris Regional crown.

Marian eventually fell to ESCC rival Joliet Catholic in the JCA Sectional semifinals in a tough, three-game decision, as the Angels avenged a regularseason setback for the second straight year. The Spartans were led this fall by senior ESCC All-Conference selection Mila Popovic, who will take her talents to the University of Texas-El Paso next fall.

MEN’S SOCCER

// The men’s soccer team advanced to an IHSA regional championship match, courtesy of a 5-4 victory over ESCC rival Marist. The soccer Spartans were paced this fall by senior goalie Parker Knueppel and all-ESCC selections Antonio Ferreira '25 and Jalen Williams '24.

FOOTBALL

// At press time, the Marian Catholic football team was preparing to take on Saint Patrick in the Chicagoland Prep Bowl after concluding a 4-5 regular season with victories over Thornwood, Leo, Bloom, and De La Salle. All-Division members in the CCL-ESCC Purple included senior quarterback-receiver Kyle Thomas (bound for Northern Illinois University), juniors Austin Alexander, Kaleb Isom and Kaiden Jensen, and sophomore running back Tyler Lofton.

GOLF

// In an extremely competitive field at the Marian Catholic IHSA 2A Regional, the men’s golf squad qualified for sectional play. Led by senior Casey Taylor’s individual third-place finish, the Spartans scored a third place finish as a team to earn their spot. Team members contributing to the regional score included seniors Jack Kirsch, Paul Arquilla, and Frankie Piunti. On the women’s side, junior EveLynn Carlson qualified for sectional play with an eighth-place finish at regionals.

CROSS COUNTRY

The Marian Catholic cross country team has been “Running the Heights” for 30 years. That makes the accomplishments of sophomore Daniel Kasperan all the more impressive. In qualifying for the IHSA Class 2A state meet, Kasperan finished third in the Metamora Sectional, the highest sectional finish in Spartan history Marian also qualified Daniel Kasperan '25 for the sectional as a team after taking third place in the Morris Regional, led by Kasperan’s second-place finish. Other scorers on the sectional-qualifying squad included seniors George Partin and Ryan Tuley and sophomores Matthew Tuley and Jayden Downs. Ignited by another second-place finish from Kasperan, Marian also captured third place in the East Suburban Catholic Conference meet.

The Marian men were joined in sectional competition by junior Lydia Casillas, who qualified with a 26th place overall finish in the Morris Regional.

Kasperan went on to place 28th out of 236 runners at the state cross country final, the highest finish by a Spartan runner in school history.