November issue by The Pacer

sports

pacer

cubs under fire

29 MLB teams sign petition to Commissioner asking for Cubs ban Page 11

november 18, 2016

Division I College Commitments

Student: Katherine Nolan Sport: Basketball Position: Forward/Center Team: Meadows Mustangs

The Pacer recognizes recent Division I recruits

School: Loyola University Chicago

Each year, high school seniors around the nation commit to playing a sport in college. This issue, we recognize three seniors — Zach Klancnik, Katherine Nolan and Patrick Yim — who have excelled and displayed leadership in their respective sports. Playing for the school team or extracurricular club teams, these talented athletes have caught the eyes of Division I scouts. Division I teams have complex scheduling, attendance and financial aid requirements. These teams are the highest level of college atheltics among the four divisions. Recently, they have committed to universities where they will advance their athletics and education. Balancing educational priorities and athletic obligations can be a struggle, but these distinguished students are well equipped to face the many hurdles that come with college.

“I chose Loyola because of its national academic reputation, Jesuit education and the fact that it is located in Chicago. I chose to continue my basketball career at Loyola because the coaching staff and team are amazing, and I couldn’t picture myself playing basketball anywhere else. I am very blessed to have this opportunity. I knew I wanted to keep playing basketball because basketball has been a huge part of my life since I was 7, and I couldn’t imagine not being able to play in college. My mom sparked my interest in basketball because she was a multi-sport athlete and she always told me basketball was her favorite.”

Student: Patrick Yim

Student: Zachary Klancnik

Sport: Soccer

Position: Midfield

Position: Center/Outside Back

Team: Sockers F.C.

School: University of Wisconsin-Madison

“Growing up, I watched Big Ten college basketball all the time and wanted to play for a Big Ten team. The combination of good soccer team and coaches, academic prestige of the school and the social environment made Wisconsin the best fit for me. I’ve always wanted to play in college but wasn’t sure I’d be good enough. Soccer runs through my family. My dad and uncle both played college soccer for Loyola University of Chicago, so it was always a goal for me to play college soccer like them. I would love to play professionally if possible, but if it doesn’t work out, I’ll be very well off in the working world with a degree from Madison.”

“The campus is beautiful and has great opportunities in the business school. I really like the coaching staff and players and can see myself working with them everyday. I knew it was a possibility when I started playing academy, but I decided I wanted to do it junior year when the recruiting process really began. Once coaches started contacting me I knew I wanted to play. I started to play when I was really young, like everyone, and just stuck with it over the years. My dad played soccer in college, so he always coached me when I was younger and drove me to get better. I would love to play beyond college and, if given the opportunity, in the MLS or in Europe. My goal for college is to win a Big Ten championship and compete in the NCAA tournament for a National Championship.”

Photo Illustration/Anup Patel and Sahil Shah

The best in Meadows history Anna Czulno Online Editor-in-Chief

Sam SvobodaE The Mustangs ended their playoff run last weekend with a quarterfinal loss against Benet Academy in the State Playoffs. Despite the defeat, this year’s team is still the only football team in Rolling Meadows history to go 9-0 in the regular season and advance to the quarterfinals in the State Playoffs. The road to State first began when they played the Thornwood High School Thunderbirds. Key interceptions by the Mustang defense helped them secure a large lead in the first half and even though the Thunderbirds were able to score two late touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the Mustangs were still able to eliminate the Thunderbirds from playoff contention. The final score was 44-12. “We were really excited at halftime, so we were all positive after the half,” senior Charlie Cox said. “When we started playing again, we were pumped up so that gave us momentum for our next games too.”

The next roadblock the Mustangs went up against was Lincoln-Way Central High School. This was the first game of the season where the team only had a small lead going into the second half of the game. Senior Nick Delporte batted down a would-be-touhdown pass late in the third quarter, allowing the Mustangs to keep a three point lead. After a game-sealing interception by junior Willis Goodwin late in the fourth quarter, the Mustangs scored another touchdown to put the Knights away for good. The final score was 23-13. Last week’s game ended the team’s chance for a State title. Benet Academy’s strong defense shut out the Mustangs dynamic offense, who failed to convert in the red zone, despite reaching it four times. Senior Kevin Haltman did return an interception, scoring the Mustang’s only touchdown. After, senior Kevin Lacosse ran into the end zone for a two point conversion. Despite the heartbreaking loss to Benet Academy, Lacosse was very happy with how the team played, and he believes that their ability to cope with defeat will only bring them closer

together as brothers. “We came to the realization that we weren’t going to see each other everyday anymore, so it made us want to spend our free time with each other,” Lacosse said. Head Coach Matt Mishler credits the Mustang defense for allowing the team to have such a strong regular season and playoff run. “I think our defense has kind of been the catalyst of this team for the entire year,” Mishler said. “They’ve pretty much shut everybody down with how they’ve played, and they’re just an amazing unit.” Mishler also believes that without the leadership of senior captains Delporte, Haltman, Lacosse and Asher O’Hara, the team would not have been as successful as they were. “There’s just a lot of great leadership on this team, and you can’t really measure their contributions to the team,” Mishler said. While this year’s football season is over, the Mustangs have left a long-legacy, shaping the future of the Mustangs

Add us on social media! Follow @pacer_rmhs on snapchat for live photo updates, instagram for photos of school happenings and twitter for story links and live updates.