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Chicago Tribune
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
High school soccer players give back through Buddy's Helpers program
High school soccer players spent Friday morning volunteering with residents at the Avantara facility in Evergreen Park. Avantara offers memory care services and other health services to senior citizens and the outing, organized by Buddy's Helpers, a Chicago-based nonprofit that pairs high school athletes with volunteer projects, highlighted August as Senior Citizen Month. The 25 soccer players from Brother Rice, Marist, Eisenhower, Shepard, Richards and Mount Carmel spent the morning serving breakfast snacks, playing bingo, Uno and just chatting with seniors at Avantara. 'They're competitors on the field but they're teammates in the game of life,' said Jonny Rodriguez, a volunteer with Buddy's' Helpers and an alum of the program. Rodriguez explained the nonprofit likes to bring together different teams whose members would normally never meet outside competition and get them working together. The events give back to the community and, Rodriguez said, can translate into lasting friendships. He said he went to Thornton High School in Harvey and just graduated from Northwestern, but still has friends he met through such events. 'It's great to meet people through these events and then connect with later on,' he said. Rodriguez said especially for people who remain in the area, such high school friendships are important. 'Soccer ends one day, soccer isn't forever,' he said. 'It's these connections you make, the power of sport, that take you on later in life.' Rodriguez said Buddy's Helpers organizes an event about once a month. These teams were picked because they'd all played each other in the Body Armor Sports Series. Outside the facility, as the athletes waited for breakfast supplies to arrive, coaches told the students to remember the residents have lived full lives and to take advantage of their experiences, asking them about things they've lived through. Brian Rodriguez, a senior at Eisenhower High School, said he's been with Buddys' Helpers for three years. 'I actually really enjoy them,' he said. Brian Rodriguez said he also volunteers with his church and school, and said he likes giving back whenever he can. 'You're using your time in a useful way, in a positive manner,' he said. 'For example, in an event like this, we're learning from them and, let's say you're cleaning up the community or going to another nursing home, you're improving your community. You're never wasting your time.' Jonny Rodriguez said improving the community is another goal, in addition to developing friendships off the field. 'You can always look for things bigger than yourself and make a difference in your community,' he said. 'And you meet lots of people — you're not doing it on your own.'
Chicago Tribune
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Introducing the 2025 Daily Southtown Baseball All-Area Team
Three players from state champ St. Laurence and three from state qualifier Brother Rice highlight first and second teams. Jack Bauer, Lincoln-Way East, senior, pitcher: Went 4-2 with 2.36 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Mississippi State. Jimmy Benson, St. Laurence, sophomore, pitcher: Finished 11-1 with 1.09 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 57 2/3 innings for Class 3A state champs. All-state and all-conference. Sean Cody, Richards, senior, infielder/pitcher: Hit .452 with 41 runs, 34 stolen bases, seven doubles and 19 RBIs. Finished 6-1 with 1.04 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings. All-state and conference player of the year. Committed to Illinois-Chicago. Brady Cunningham, Brother Rice, sophomore, infielder/pitcher: Went 6-0 with 1.85 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 53 innings for Class 4A fourth-place finishers. Hit .395 with 39 runs, 10 stolen bases, 18 doubles, four homers and 29 RBIs. Conor Essenburg, Lincoln-Way West, senior, outfielder/pitcher: Batted .464 with 42 runs, 19 stolen bases, 11 doubles, 10 homers and 49 RBIs. Went 5-0 with 0.94 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings. All-American, all-state and conference player of the year. Committed to Kentucky. Lucas Grant, Joliet Catholic, senior, pitcher: Went 8-4 with 1.05 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings. Conference pitcher of the year. Committed to Purdue. Enzo Infelise, Providence, senior, catcher/utility: Hit .516 with 36 runs, five stolen bases, 12 doubles, 12 homers and 48 RBIs for sectional champs. All-state and Lawless Award winner as Catholic League MVP. Committed to Cincinnati. Mickey Lotus, St. Laurence, junior, infielder: Batted .513 with 56 runs, 40 stolen bases, seven doubles and 27 RBIs. All-state and all-conference. Bren Milburn, Crete-Monee, senior, utility: Hit .439 with 53 runs, 12 doubles, 32 RBIs and an Illinois High School Association-record 93 stolen bases. Went 7-2 with 1.37 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 51 innings. All-state. Conference player and pitcher of the year. Committed to Morton College. Nate O'Donnell, Providence, senior, infielder/pitcher: Batted .439 with 47 runs, 15 stolen bases, 13 doubles, nine homers and 41 RBIs. Went 5-4 with 2.59 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 46 innings. All-state and all-conference. Committed to Minnesota. Jacob Parr, Lemont, senior, outfielder: Hit .404 with 24 runs, five stolen bases, four doubles, five triples and 31 RBIs. Honorable mention all-state. All-conference. Committed to Ohio State. Gavin Triezenberg, Brother Rice, senior, infielder: Hit .420 with 45 runs, 27 stolen bases, 16 doubles, four homers and 41 RBIs. All-state and conference player of the year. Committed to Arizona. Daniel Coyle, St. Laurence, junior, infielder/pitcher: State championship game hero hit .319 with 41 runs, 16 stolen bases, four doubles, three homers and 43 RBIs. Went 4-0 with three saves, 3.15 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 20 innings. Quinn Durkin, Sandburg, sophomore, outfielder: Hit .496 with 41 runs, 18 stolen bases, three doubles, five triples and 23 RBIs. All-conference. Shea Glotzbach, Lemont, senior, infielder/pitcher: Finished 6-1 with 1.98 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 56 2/3 innings. Hit .310 with 33 runs, 15 stolen bases, seven doubles, four homers and 32 RBIs. All-state and all-conference. Committed to Missouri-St. Louis. Caden Kendall, Andrew, junior, pitcher: Went 5-4 with 1.42 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings. All-conference. Adam Kozak, Lockport, junior, outfielder: Hit .375 with 27 runs, 21 stolen bases, 10 doubles, three triples and 20 RBIs. All-conference. Jake Matise, Mount Carmel, junior, pitcher: Finished 8-1 with 2.20 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 63 2/3 innings. Conference pitcher of the year. Braydon McKendrick, Brother Rice, sophomore, pitcher: Went 11-1 with 1.79 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings. All-state and all-conference. Luke Mensik, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, pitcher: Finished 3-2 with 0.76 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 46 innings. All-conference. Committed to Xavier. John Olejniczak, Oak Lawn, junior, utility: Batted .500 with 34 runs, 10 stolen bases, 15 doubles, two homers and 36 RBIs. Went 8-2 with 2.25 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 59 innings. All-conference. Zach Pomatto, Joliet Catholic, senior, catcher: Hit .454 with nine doubles and 27 RBIs. Conference MVP. Committed to Northern Kentucky. Rafe Slager, Chicago Christian, senior, infielder: Batted .451 with 40 runs, 14 stolen bases, four homers and 39 RBIs. All-conference. Committed to Olivet Nazarene. Rowan Smyth, Evergreen Park, senior, pitcher/outfielder: Hit .406 with 45 runs, 18 stolen bases, 11 doubles, three homers and 21 RBIs. Finished 6-3 with 1.47 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings. All-conference. Committed to Lewis.
Chicago Tribune
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Introducing the 2025 Daily Southtown Boys Volleyball All-Area Team
Four standouts from Marist, the back-to-back state champions, highlight first and second teams. Jeremiah Aro, Sandburg, senior, right-side hitter: Tallied 354 kills, 199 digs and 48 aces to lead Eagles to state quarterfinals. Conference's player of the year. Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association first team all-state. Committed to Princeton. Andrew Flores, Lincoln-Way West, senior, libero: Chalked up 277 digs and 139 assists. Third team all-state. All-conference. Pawel Greczek, Reavis, senior, outside hitter: Totaled 280 kills on .420 hitting percentage. Added 172 digs, 34 aces, 34 blocks. Conference's player of the year. Honorable mention all-state. Griffin McElroy, Marist, senior, middle hitter: Notched 282 kills with program-record .600 hitting percentage. Also had 87 blocks. All-conference. Karch Kiraly Tournament of Champions MVP. First team all-state. John Mikrut, Brother Rice, senior, right-side hitter: Totaled 219 kills, 122 digs, 32 blocks, 22 aces. Catholic League's player of the year. Second-team all-state. Committed to Trine. Matthew Muehlnickel, Lincoln-Way East, senior, outside hitter: Notched 300 kills, 137 digs, 36 assists, 32 blocks, with .265 hitting percentage. First team all-state. All-conference. Committed to Lindenwood. Krystian Paluch, Reavis, senior, libero: Had 523 digs, 58 aces, 98% service rating. First team all-state. All-conference. Madan Sundaram, Lincoln-Way East, senior, libero: Had 252 digs, 20 aces, 2.43 passing percentage. Second team all-state. All-conference. Christian Teresi, Marist, senior, setter/right-side hitter: Finished with 359 kills, 638 assists, 212 digs, 86 blocks, 28 aces for back-to-back state champions. First team all-state. All-conference. Committed to Ohio State. Nathen Toth, Marist, senior, outside hitter: Racked up 332 kills, 168 digs, 65 blocks, 50 aces for back-to-back state champions. Second team all-state. All-conference. Committed to MIT. Oisin Walsh, Oak Lawn, senior, middle hitter: Had 199 kills, 78 blocks, 63 digs, 31 aces, with .326 hitting percentage. All-conference. Committed to Lincoln Memorial. Charlie Zeiler, Stagg, junior, libero: Broke program record with 330 digs. Owned 95.4% serve-receive percentage. Third team all-state. All-conference. Colin Alvers, Lincoln-Way Central, senior, libero: Came through with 380 digs and 15 aces. All-conference. Committed to Augustana. Will Ashum, Sandburg, senior, middle hitter: Collected 216 kills, 25 blocks, 78 digs. Second team all-state. All-conference. Committed to Aurora University. Rorey Donnelly, Marist, senior, libero: Recorded 371 digs and 122 assists for back-to-back state champions. All-conference. RedHawk Invitational MVP. Jackson Fowler, Providence, senior, opposite hitter: Tallied 283 kills, 140 digs, 48 blocks, 41 aces. All-conference. Committed to Barton. Vaughn Goberville, Brother Rice, senior, middle hitter: Had 158 kills, 66 blocks and .410 hitting percentage. Honorable mention all-state. All-conference. Elijah Landeros, St. Laurence, senior, outside hitter: Notched 318 kills, 195 digs, 57 blocks, 40 aces. Third team all-state. All-conference. Committed to North Central College. Caleb Madden, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, middle hitter: Put down 200 kills with .309 hitting percentage. Added 74 blocks. All-conference. Committed to Indiana Tech. Sebastian Pardol, Argo, junior, outside hitter: Totaled 323 kills, 160 digs, 60 assists, 54 aces, 33 blocks, with .296 hitting percentage. All-conference. Ahmad Powell, Homewood-Flossmoor, senior, outside hitter: Injuries kept numbers down but notched 251 kills, 137 digs, 20 aces, 19 blocks, with .263 hitting percentage. Third team all-state. All-conference. Aydin Provost, Mount Carmel, senior, opposite hitter: Had 212 kills, 119 digs, 47 blocks, 28 aces, with .356 hitting percentage. All-conference. Committed to Illinois Wesleyan. JT Snider, Sandburg, senior, outside hitter: Chalked up 171 kills, 135 digs. 43 aces. Honorable mention all-state. All-conference. Committed to Sacred Heart. Hunter Vedder, Lincoln-Way West, senior, outside hitter: Ended up with 248 kills, 186 digs, 25 blocks. All-conference. Committed to Trinity Christian.
Chicago Tribune
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Gutsy JD Maloney works through rust on the mound as Brother Rice ends up fourth in Class 4A. ‘It was an honor.'
Senior right-hander JD Maloney has been a leader on the bench and in the bullpen all season for Brother Rice. In his last game, Maloney got his opportunity to pitch at state when he came on in relief Saturday. 'There was nothing to lose,' Maloney said. 'It's been an historic season. It was my last time pitching. What's there to lose? I just went out there and showed my all.' Maloney turned in a solid outing, allowing two earned runs over 3 1/3 innings, but the Crusaders' record-breaking season ended with back-to-back losses as they dropped a 7-2 decision to Normal Community in the Class 4A third-place game at Duly Health and Care Field in Joliet. Kentucky recruit Nolan Ramoley recorded an RBI double for Brother Rice (37-5), which set a program record for wins. Arizona commit Gavin Triezenberg and Eastern Michigan recruit Aidan Nohava each added a hit and scored a run, while Brady Cunningham chipped in an RBI. Kyle Beaty and Jacob Engel tallied two RBIs apiece to lead Normal Community (37-5). Brother Rice won the sixth state trophy in program history and the third in four years, adding to a runner-up finish in 2023 and a third-place showing in 2022. But coach Sean McBride and Co. are still after the Crusaders' first baseball title since 1976. 'We're chasing that one,' McBride said. 'I would trade a million trips here to get one of those, to be honest with you. Our program has been very consistent. 'It's very hard, especially in our area, to win three supersectionals (in four years). To get here is awesome, but we want tears of joy instead of tears of sadness at the end.' There were still some smiles Saturday, though. Especially from Maloney, who before Saturday had thrown just 6 2/3 innings over nine outings this spring. He relished the chance to get on the mound at state. 'It was an honor,' Maloney said. 'I pitched a little bit this year. I think my role was just to be a leader and help these younger guys. I think all the seniors did a great job with that. 'It was my last baseball game ever. It was a good one. We made it down here and we got to the last possible day we could.' Maloney threw three scoreless innings, keeping the Crusaders in the game, before the Ironmen broke through for a pair of runs against him in the seventh. 'He's a phenomenal kid and a great leader in the school and on the team,' McBride said of Maloney. 'This game's a hard one to play in, but it's good to get guys like JD their opportunity to get out there. 'It was awesome to see him do well.' Maloney said most of his favorite memories from the season will be behind-the-scenes moments with his teammates. 'Just the little things,' he said. 'The bus rides, the joking around in the locker room and the dugout. None of the big wins really resonate. The smallest things mean the most.' There were plenty of huge victories, though. The Crusaders won 26 straight games between March 23 and May 12. They earned the Catholic League Blue title with a 13-1 record. 'I think we were just a close group of kids who loved each other and went to war every day together,' Triezenberg said. Triezenberg and the rest of a large senior class for the Crusaders experienced a plethora of success. 'These were the best four years of my life, hands down,' Triezenberg said. 'I loved every day coming to the park for practices, games, whatever it was. I just loved it.' There's just one thing this senior class did not accomplish. Ramoley and the rest of the underclassmen are determined to win that state title in 2026. 'We're getting it done next year,' Ramoley said. 'That's it.'
Chicago Tribune
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Working out of bullpen, Danny Sheehan battles for Brother Rice in state semifinals. ‘Give it everything I had.'
Senior left-hander Danny Sheehan, a longtime stalwart on Brother Rice's pitching staff, has been working out of the bullpen most of the postseason with junior Braydon McKendrick and sophomore Brady Cunningham getting the big starts. Sheehan took the move in stride. And when the Crusaders needed him Friday night, he surely answered the call. 'Getting moved to the pen, it was about not taking it personally, just knowing my role and being ready when I'm called upon,' Sheehan said. 'When your back's against the wall like that and you know it could be your last time going out there, I just had to give it everything I had.' Pressed into duty in the middle of a nightmarish first inning for Brother Rice, Sheehan limited the damage and then delivered 4 2/3 strong innings in relief to keep his team in the game. The Crusaders ultimately came up short, losing 4-1 to McHenry in a Class 4A state semifinal at Duly Health and Care Field in Joliet. Sheehan struck out three, allowed three hits and gave up two earned runs, both of which scored after he had departed the game for Brother Rice (37-4). Eastern Michigan recruit Aidan Nohava came through with an RBI single, while Louisville commit Colin Campbell singled and drew a walk. Conner Stack and Kentucky recruit Nolan Ramoley each added a single. The Crusaders, who fell short on their quest to win the program's second state title and first since 1976, will play at 4 p.m. Saturday against Normal Community (36-5) in the third-place game. 'It's tough, but we'll be back,' Stack said of Saturday's last game of the season. 'Us seniors want to end on a 'W,' so we'll get the guys going.' Louisville recruit Brandon Shannon was dominant on the mound for McHenry (36-4-1), striking out eight holding the Crusaders to one run on four hits over six innings. 'They had a good guy on the mound,' Nohava said of Shannon, a senior righty. 'We put together some good at-bats. He threw a lot of pitches. Sometimes, it just doesn't go your way.' Sheehan did his best to match Shannon. After McKendrick struggled with his control, walking three and hitting two in the first, Sheehan was called upon with the Crusaders already down 2-1 and the bases loaded with two outs. He got a flyout to end the inning. Brother Rice coach Sean McBride felt confident giving Sheehan the ball. 'We made that early move because we knew we had another guy who could keep us in the game,' McBride said. 'Danny's a No. 1 on a lot of staffs. We trusted him, and he did what we expected him to do.' Sheehan went into cruise control after escaping the jam in the first. McHenry did not have a hit until the fifth inning but led 2-1 nonetheless. 'It's the same approach,' Sheehan said. 'My job has always been to throw strikes and get guys to put the ball in play. I've always had great defenses behind me the last three years. 'Just letting them do their thing and facilitating a great defense, that's always been my mentality and it's the same approach today as it's always been.' It turned out to be by far Sheehan's longest outing of the playoffs as he threw 61 pitches. 'My arm hurts, but it's fine,' Sheehan said. 'It didn't really bother me.' McHenry grabbed some insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth as Kaden Wasniewski ripped a two-run single with two outs. McBride credited the Warriors with beating his team at 'the little things' and praised Shannon's performance. But he also tipped his cap to Sheehan. 'Danny's a top guy, too,' McBride said. 'Danny's had one of the better careers here. He's pitched in some of the biggest games and done very well. 'He did what he needed to do to keep us in the game.'
