Sports Nuggets For August-September

The fall sports season is underway and many great things are already happening in the Journal-area. Here’s a look at some recent sports news from the Journal-area:

Palatine Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees: It will be hard for Palatine to select a more deserving Hall of Fame class than the one they selected this year. The group will be recognized before the start of the football game Sept.. 25 against Barrington. Willie Filian (boys and girls soccer head coach) won nearly 700 games at Palatine between the boys and girls soccer teams. He also made history with the Pirates, becoming the first school in state history to win the boys (fall 1994) and girls (spring 1995) state titles in the same school year (1994-95). Filian is listed as 381-228-61 overall as head coach for the boys’ program from 1991-2021, with 8 regional titles, 2 sectional titles, 2 supersectional titles and two state trophies (state champions in 1994, third place in 1995). He coached the girls’ team from 1993-94 through 2021-22, winning three state trophies in a four-year span at one point. He led Palatine’s girls’ team to third in 1994, first in 1995 and fourth in 1997. The Pirates also qualified for state in 1996, but they were eliminated in the quarterfinals. He led Palatine girls to 10 regional titles and four sectional titles. Filian was previously inducted into the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA) Hall of Fame in 2010. Paul Belo (baseball coach) served as Palatine’s head baseball coach from 2003-24, going 384-349-2 in that time. He guided Palatine to regional titles in 2011 and 2012. He also previously coached at Fremd and he owns a 495-423-2 career record. “To be listed alongside some of the most distinguished individuals in the school’s history is an unimaginable honor,” Belo said in a post on Twitter/X Sept. 5. “A heartfelt thank you to those who gave me the opportunity to lead and serve the student-athletes of Palatine High School. Congratulations to my fellow inductees.” Ruth Spethmann (Class of 2010) replaced legendary coach Joe Parks, her former head coach, as the Pirates head coach in cross country in 2021. She stepped down after one season, but she made her greatest impact as a student-athlete. Spethmann (nee Allen), an Illinois State (‘14) and National Louis University (‘19) alum, finished 13th at state individually as a senior at Palatine, but she was the fastest on the state championship team in 2009. Allen finished 25th at state in 2008 and 66th in 2007. She was also highly decorated in track and field for the Pirates. She also briefly coached the girls track and field team as well at Palatine. Asuka Kawai (Class of 2016) is the youngest inductee this season, but she had an amazing career in girls tennis. She won sectional titles in singles in 2014, 2015 and 2016 over a stacked field that included Stevenson, Barrington, Fremd, Buffalo Grove, Hersey, Lake Zurich and Vernon Hills. Kawai went 5-2 at state in 2014, falling in the consolation semifinals. She rebounded to go 6-1 at state in 2015, finishing third at state. Her only loss was to eventual state champion Isabella Lorenzini (Hinsdale Central) in the state semifinals. Kawai returned to state in 2016 and finished third again with a 5-1 record. She was 16-4 overall in three state appearances. She went on to compete in college at the University of Illinois (44-37 record in singles, 47-29 record in doubles) from 2017-21. In 2019, Kawai was an NCAA singles qualifier and a unanimous All-Big Ten selection. Taylor Fricano (Class of 2013) was a star girls volleyball player for the Pirates, who went on to play in NCAA Division I with Wisconsin and North Carolina, before going on to play pro volleyball overseas since 2018. She was an academic All-Big Ten selection in 2014 at Wisconsin and was named to the All-ACC second team in 2016 at UNC, among numerous other honors. She also played one year at Missouri State in beach volleyball. Fricano played for Athletes Unlimited (2021-22) and also spent time on teams in the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Italy, France, Romania, South Korea and Peru. She played for the Columbus Fury (Major League Volleyball) in the U.S. in 2025-26. At Palatine, Fricano was selected as a PrepVolleyball.com special mention All-American and she earned first-team All-State honors by the (Champaign) News Gazette in 2012. During her senior year, she had 293 kills, 231 digs, 43 blocks and 41 service aces. She helped Palatine win conference and regional titles in her final season. Thomas Hanus (Class of 2001) is one of the top boys tennis players in program history. He is also one of the top players overall in state history for boys tennis. He won the IHSA singles state title in 1999 and 2001, along with finishing runner-up in 2000. Hanus was a four-time state qualifier. He went 3-2 at state as a freshman, falling in the sixth round of the consolation bracket. He went 7-0 in 1999, 6-1 in 2000 and 7-0 again in 2001. Combined, he owned a 23-3 record at state. Hanus was the first player to win two state titles nonconsecutively after the previous 16 multi-time state champions won their titles in a row.

Swimming and Diving Records Fall: The girls swimming season is young, but a few records have already fallen. Fremd’s Ellie Patla broke the pool records at Glenbrook South in the 200-yard freestyle (1:49.52) and 500-yard freestyle (4:53.31) in the first meet of the season (Aug. 26). Fremd won the meet 130-56 over GBS with Patla’s help. Patla was already coming off a national championship over the summer in the 1500-meter freestyle (16:38.15) at the U.S. Junior National Championships. Patla, the No. 1 ranked swimmer in Illinois, per swimcloud.com, is already committed to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While Patla is entering her final season, Maine South freshman Ella Juiris started her prep career with a bang Aug. 25 against Hersey. Juiris broke the school record for a 6-dive set with a 277.2 score, blowing out the 2018 record of 239.5. She also competed in two relay races and the 100-yard breast. Ella is the younger sister of former Maine South star Sarah Juiris, who is currently a freshman on the Ohio State swim team.

Aces For Local Golfers: Fremd girls golfer Alia Brazeau made a rare hole-in-one on hole No. 3 (par 4) at Inverness Golf Club in late August. Hersey boys sophomore golfer Landon Chianelli sank a hole-in-one on hole No. 14 at Old Orchard Country Club Aug. 19.

BG’s Lo Verde Reaches Milestone: Buffalo Grove multi-sport athlete Ava Lo Verde started off her senior year on a high note in girls volleyball, picking up her 500th career dig. Buffalo Grove is off to a 5-7 start as of Sept. 9, but Lo Verde has been a bright spot for the Bison. Besides volleyball, Lo Verde also plays basketball and lacrosse for BG.

Resurrection Pair Make College Choices: Resurrection senior Isabel Mendoza recently committed to Oakton College for women’s basketball and softball for the 2027-28 school year. Fellow Resurrection basketball star Abby Acierno committed to Nebraska Wesleyan University (Lincoln, Nebraska) to continue her playing career.

Other Commitments: Glenbrook South girls volleyball player Avery Sheedy recently committed to Wesleyan University in Connecticut to continue her playing career. Palatine girls basketball player Grace Kline also announced she will play for Wisconsin Lutheran College in 2027-28. Palatine girls lacrosse player Jolene Kenny announced in mid-August that she is committed to Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. Wheeling star athlete Reid Gerjerts announced he is committed to Winona State University, where he will play baseball. St. Viator baseball player Tanner Beyna, the son of St. Viator head coach Terry Beyna, committed to Northern Illinois University to continue his baseball career. Ironically, Terry Beyna was the head coach of Ryan Copeland, the current NIU head coach, when Copeland played at Elk Grove. Buffalo Grove girls basketball player Hannah Weber announced she is committed to LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis, TN. Stevenson boys basketball star Donovan “Donny” Williams, who scored his 1,000th career point last season, announced he is committed to Minnesota State Moorhead for 2027-28. Buffalo Grove boys basketball star Alex Sirbu committed to Columbia University. Loyola Academy girls basketball player Maddie Locke, who had a breakout performance last year, committed to Brown University. Locke’s teammate Emily Naraky also committed to Oakland University for her basketball career. Conant baseball player Andrew Miller is staying local and will play at Oakton College in 2027-28. Prospect alum Alex Tabbert is also transferring from Harper College to UIC for the 2026-27 school year. Prospect football player Jackson Cacini is committed to Eastern Illinois University. Cacini hopes to continue the tradition of breakout quarterbacks at EIU, following in the path of Sean Payton, Mike Shanahan, Tony Romo and Jimmy Garoppolo. Glenbrook South baseball player Henry Schott committed to Washington University to continue his career.

Loyola Lacrosse Alum Transfers: Maeve Dwyer, who was a star at Loyola Academy under her grandfather, John Dwyer, recently announced she is transferring from Notre Dame to Marquette University to wrap up her lacrosse career. She was a two-time USA Lacrosse All-American and a three-time Illinois All-State selection during her time with the Ramblers. She helped the Ramblers win state in 2021. Dwyer finished her career at Loyola with 116 goals, 71 assists, 61 ground balls and collected 146 draw controls. She also caused 66 turnovers. At Notre Dame, Dwyer played in 25 games and had 3 goals in limited action. Marquette is coming off a 9-7 season last year.

Maine East Names New Boys Water Polo Head Coach: After a 16-year run as head coach for boys water polo at Maine East, Peter Przekota departed from the program and Maine East named Stevan Rasic as his replacement. Rasic, a former All-State selection at Maine South, is just the fourth head coach in program history after Przekota, Andrew Kittrell (1 season) and Scott Guilfoil (7 seasons). Rasic was a third team All-State selection in 2022. He went on to play water polo in college at Augustana. In 2025, he had 42 goals and 3 assists in 17 games for Augustana. In 2024 he had 78 goals and 5 assists after having just 13 goals and 6 assists in 2023. As a freshman in 2022, Rasic had 29 goals and 7 assists. Overall, he had 162 goals and 21 assists at Augustana.

Longtime Palatine Baseball Head Coach Passes Away: James Harry “Jim” Koller died Aug. 31 at the age of 82 in Buffalo Grove. He was a teacher and coach at Fremd and later Palatine High School, but he is best remembered as Palatine’s head baseball coach from 1977-2002. He is the longest tenured head coach in program history. He also owns the record for most wins, guiding the Pirates to a 405-383 record in 26 years. He led Palatine to its first 20-plus win season in 1988 and then reached 20-plus wins in 1990, 1995 and 1997. His 1995 team went 24-12, which was the school record for wins in a season before it was broken in 2025 (27-10) under current head coach Brent Carroll. Koller earned the 2002 (inaugural) Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association (IHSBCA) Distinguished Service Award. Koller also coached boys golf at Schaumburg from 2002-04. He is survived by his wife Pam, along with his children, James and Lori.

Zoe Black Finds New Home For 2027-28: Prospect girls basketball star Zoe Black, who broke a few records last season, announced her college choice Sept. 1, a few months before the start of her final season. Black announced she is committed to the University of Denver to continue her basketball career. She isn’t the first local to head to Denver in recent years. Hersey alum Claire Gritt played for Denver from 2017-21. Glenbrook South alum Anna Rosenberger is currently a junior on the team after joining in 2024-25. Denver is coached by Erik Johnson, who is returning after previously coaching the team from 2008-12 (72-52 record). Other former Journal-area alums to play for Denver over the years include Caryn Jarocki (East Leyden; played at Denver in 1979-82), Micki Singer (Buffalo Grove HS; Denver – 1981-85) and Carie Weinman (Glenbrook South; 2017-18). Denver went 11-19 last year.

Conant Tennis Player Reaches 100 Career Wins: Conant’s Nidhi Karekar has put together an amazing career for the Cougars and she added another feather in her cap with her 100th career win. A three-time state qualifier, she owns a 9-6 career record at state as a doubles competitor. She has branched out to singles over the years as well, but at state she has only competed in doubles. She won sectional titles in doubles in 2023 with Advita Deepak and qualified for state, where the freshman pair went 2-2 together. As sophomores, Karekar and Deepak won sectionals again and went 2-2 at state. The paired together for a third straight year as juniors and they won a third straight sectional title. The pair went 5-2 at state to finish in sixth place for their first state medal. Conant won sectional title as a team in 2023, 2024 and 2025, as well. She has won 25-plus matches in each of her first three seasons. Karekar and Deepak also won the MSL No. 1 doubles title last year, among her many achievements over the last few years.

Prospect Alum Competes in U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship: Kiley Specht (nee Walsh) helped Prospect win two state titles in her four-year career, before going on to shine at Illinois State University from 2014-18. After graduating, she went on to coach golf a few years, while still competing herself. She recently qualified for the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship at Montclair Golf Club in West Orange, NJ (Aug. 29-Sept. 3). She shot 41-37 – 78 in the opening round and 40-43 – 83 in the second round, but her overall score of 161 missed the cut for the final portion of the event. The tournament was won by Peachtree City, Georgia’s Ivy Shepherd. While the tournament didn’t end well for Specht, it was still a memorable experience to compete in a national event like that. Specht, then going by her maiden name of Walsh, was a part of multiple regional and sectional championship teams at Prospect and was a four-time state qualifier. She competed at state in 2010 (45-43 – 88 round one), 2011 (43-40 – 83 round one; 39-43 – 82 round two; 83-82 – 165 total; tied 29th overall), 2012 (39-44 – 83 in first and only round; tied 40th overall) and 2013 (36-38 – 74 round one; 37-39 – 76 round two; 74-76 – 150 total; tied 5th place). During her four seasons, Prospect finished fourth in 2010, first in 2011, second in 2012 and first again in 2013.

Stevenson’s Daniella Berger Makes National Para Swim Team: Stevenson’s Daniella Berger is only a junior, but she is already making waves in the paralympic realm of the pool. Berger, a four-time state champion last year and eight-time overall state champion in the Athletes With Disabilities (AWD) events, recently made the U.S. Under-23 team, which consists of 11 athletes right now. The team consists of seven girls and four boys.

RM Alum Lands in St. Ambrose Athletic Hall of Fame: Mandy Steiger (nee Streu), who qualified for state in shot put in 2006 (So.), 2007 (Jr.) and 2008 (Sr.) at Rolling Meadows, had an amazing career in college as well and will be inducted into the St. Ambrose Athletic Hall of Fame this year. Her best finish at state in shot put in high school was 11th in 2008, but she was more successful in college. She graduated from St. Ambrose in 2013, but not before rewriting the record book. She will be inducted into the Hall of Fame Thursday, Oct. 1 along with Jenny Clark (women’s basketball), Danelle Langeneckert (cheer and dance coach), Eric Williamson (football) and Thomas A. Mason IV (legacy award). According to St. Ambrose, Steiger was selected as the Women’s Field Athlete of the Midwest Collegiate Conference Championships a total of four times, earning the indoor honor in 2010, 2011 and 2012, along with the outdoor award in 2010. She is a two-time All-American in shot put, finishing sixth at the NAIA Indoor Championship in 2010 (45 feet, 8 inches; indoors) and runner-up in 2012 (46 feet, 8 inches). She still holds the St. Ambrose school records for shot put (48 feet, 0.75 inches) and hammer throw (156 feet, 5 inches).

Noard On Board With Samford: Former Glenbrook South boys basketball star Cooper Noard had an amazing career at Cornell, playing in 102 games (86 starts) over his four years, but with a year of eligibility remaining, he had to find a new home to finish out his college career. The Glenview native signed with Samford University (Birmingham, AL) for his final season in 2026-27. Samford went 18-14 under first-year head coach Lennie Acuff this past season. Noard was one of the top scorers in the Ivy League last year with 510 points, including going 80-for-213 (.376%) from beyond the arc. He has made 168-fo-237 (.709%) 2-point field goals in his college career, along with 228-of-583 (.391%) 3-pointers. Noard has 1,187 points, 290 rebounds, 108 assists, 43 steals and 14 blocks in his college career entering 2026-27. Noard ranks No. 17 in all-time scoring at Cornell and his 228 3-pointers are fifth most in program history. He was a second-team All-Ivy League selection in 2025-26 and earned honorable mention in 2024-25.

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