Sports Break

Keeping Up with Catholic Central Athletes

Catholic League Hall of Fame

Chris Okoye ’14 and Aaron Babicz ’93 were selected by the Catholic League Executive Board to be inducted into the Catholic League Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the induction ceremony has been postponed until 2021.

Chris Okoye graduated from CC in 2014 and helped lead the football team to consecutive State Runner-up finishes. He continued his career at Ferris State University where he earned All-GLIAC and All-American honors in 2017. Chris signed a contract with

Aaron Babicz graduated from CC in 1993 and from Hillsdale College in 1998. As a football player at CC, Aaron the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals after the NFL Draft in 2018.

earned All-Catholic and All-State honors and helped lead the Shamrocks to the 1992 Class AA State Championship.

He has served as Athletic Director since the fall of 2009. Under his leadership, CC has won 24 state championships and 52 CHSL championships. He was recognized as CHSL Athletic Director of the Year in 2014.

Brendin Yatooma ’20 Catholic High School League Athlete of the Year

Brendin Yatooma ’20 was recognized as the 2020 Walt Bazylewicz Male Athlete of the Year in the CHSL. During his athletic career at CC, Brendin won seven varsity letters and served as captain for both the varsity football and wrestling teams.

As a football player, Brendin earned All-Catholic and All-State honors. As a wrestler, Brendin earned three-consecutive All-State honors and won back-to-back individual state championships. He also earned Academic All-State honors and was an All-American Honorable Mention. His peers at CC voted him the Fr. James Whelan Award winner as a senior.

He now continues his academic and wrestling career at the University of Michigan.

CC Athletes Recognized at Detroit Free Press Sports Awards

The 2020 Detroit Free Press Sports Awards ceremony was held virtually in June due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To make the virtual ceremony as special as possible, professional athletes and coaches presented the award finalists and announced the winners. Several CC athletes were among those honored for excellence during the 2019- 2020 high school sports seasons.

Conor Brownell ’20 was a finalist for the Boys Swimmer of the Year after his All-American season this past winter. The award was presented by Olympic champion, Michael Phelps. Conor is continuing his swimming career at Oakland University.

Brendan Miles ’20 was honored as the Hockey Player of the Year after his All-State season this past winter. The award was presented by hockey legend, Wayne Gretzky.

Josh Edmond ’20 was honored as the Wrestler of the Year. Derek Gilcher ’20 was a finalist for the Wrestler of the Year. Both Josh and Derek won their thirdconsecutive individual state championships and were named All-Americans this past winter. The award was presented by Olympic Champion, Jordan Burroughs. Josh is continuing his wrestling career at the University of Missouri, and Derek is continuing his wrestling career at Indiana University.

The CC Wrestling Team was a finalist of Team of the Year. The Shamrocks, led by coach Mitch Hancock ’00, won their fourth-consecutive state championship and finished the season ranked #5 in the country. The award was presented by the coach of the NFL’s New England Patriots, Bill Belicheck.

Conor Brownell ’20

Josh Edmond ’20

Brendan Miles ’20

Derek Gilcher ’20