Addison Trail recognizes student-athletes during Fall Sports Awards

Addison Trail Athletic Director Matt Thompson (left) welcomes the crowd during the school's annual Fall Sports Awards. That event took place on Nov. 8 to recognize and honor student-athletes for their accomplishments from the fall athletic season.

By Addison Trail senior Patrick Campbell

Addison Trail’s annual Fall Sports Awards took place on Nov. 8. A tradition that was put on hold last year because of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was rejuvenated, with friends and family of the honored athletes packing the auditorium in support. After a welcome speech from Addison Trail Athletic Director Matt Thompson, the ceremony was under way.

First to honor their athletes were boys and girls cross-country coaches, Coach Donaldson and Coach Olson, awarding All-Conference honors to sophomore Josh Gutierrez, junior Ximena Juarez Martinez and seniors Madelyn Ford and Alex Martinez. Along with their All-Conference athletes, seniors Stephany Mondragon, Morri Bernardo, Madelyn Ford, Lesley Garcia, Uriel Garcia, Marcos Garnica, Alexander Martinez, Nancy Perez, Rachel Petrbok, Max Ojeda, Joel Olvera Lopez, Emily Rivera Perea and Isaac Silva were all recognized for receiving All-Academic honors.

Next, Coach Bazant was up to the podium to honor Addison Trail’s football athletes. Seniors Dylan Cummens and Jason Houser were awarded All-Conference honors, as well as joining seniors Uzair Ahmed, Joseph Carrizales, Alan Espinoza, Christopher Milewski, Isacc Ortiz, Sebastian Sawina, Farooq Siddiqui and John Voinea in receiving All-Academic honors.

Coach Norberg, Addison Trail’s Varsity Golf Coach, was up next to recognize his athletes for their excellence during the season. Junior Frankie Barges and seniors Eli Aquino and A.J. Scali were awarded All-Conference honors. Aquino and Scali also joined senior Patrick Lacni in receiving All-Academic honors.

Coach Morales and the Blazettes had two All-Academic honorees this year, seniors Lilyanna Hernandez and Ixcel Mondragon.

Addison Trail’s Soccer Team had one of its best seasons in recent years, and Varsity Head Coach Dini was ecstatic to celebrate the achievements of his athletes. Seniors Sebastian Alicea, Nico Parente, David Peters, Alex Sandoval and Brian Teran received All-Conference honors, while joining Daniel Bastida, Domenico Cucinella, Mateo Gomez, Moises Hernandez, Jonathan Nasti, Frank Ruggieri, Peter Savinos and Matthew Sobus in earning All-Academic honors. Peters and Sandoval also were selected as All-Sectional players, and Gomez earned All-Academic All-Sectional honors.

“It’s definitely a big honor to be named to the All-Sectional Team," Peters said. "These past four years, I have been working really hard to perform to the best of my ability and, fortunately, I was able to do that. Without a doubt, I wouldn’t have been able to do so without the help of my teammates and coaches pushing me to the max.”

Coach Hegner presented his Varsity Girls Tennis Team with pride, calling up his 3rd-place-finishing doubles group of junior Clarita Gaytan Vazquez and senior Emma Walis and singles player junior Mia Dravilas for receiving All-Conference honors. Joining them were seniors Sara Bojczuk, Maria Doudalis, Alicia Lloveras and Lindsay Stevenson, who received All-Academic honors (with Walis earning both).

Addison Trail’s Girls Volleyball Team, led by Coach Katie Inzinga, had two players receive All-Conference honors in seniors Samantha Bartosik and Jessica Villasenor. They also were awarded All-Academic honors, along with seniors Charlotte Cahill, Emilee Groer, Juliana Nasti, Kennedy Smith and Mariangely Velez Capo.

To end the evening was the AT-WB Girls Swim Team. Starting off with Addison Trail athletes, Coach Burns awarded seniors Delaney Gayon and Carly Zaprzal with All-Conference honors. The two also were awarded All-Academic honors, along with seniors Sneha Dhandapani and Suzzane Ramirez.

“I’m very grateful to have such a strong sense of self, as well as motivating people in my life, to have gotten me as far as I have (come)," Zaprzal said. "I’m saddened to be leaving those who have helped, but am hopeful to continue the same pattern in my (collegiate) athletic career.”

Zaprzal recently committed to continue her academic and athletic career at University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Also recognized were the Willowbrook athletes from the joint team. Coach Burns had the honor of recognizing sophomore Ariel Hoda, freshman Audrey Morgan, junior Kaitlyn Jaskier, freshman Albina Sadiku and freshman Abigail Schnittker for being awarded All-Conference honors. Willowbrook seniors Regina Brisbois, Mary “Ellie” Hassler, Avery Magierski, Kimberly Ramirez-Zanabria and Emma Wrzeszcz were awarded All-Academic honors as well. The Willowbrook side of the team also had Hassler qualify for three events in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Girls Swimming & Diving State Meet.

Congratulations to all of the incredible athletes who were honored during the ceremony.