Athletes from around the country are preparing for the December 3rd signing day deadline and are ready to fulfill their dream of becoming College Athletes.
At Saint Ignatius College Prep, there are 19 athletes who have received and or signed offers to play at the College level. With colleges such as Yale, Michigan, Lafayette, Wake Forest, Brown University, and others; Saint Ignatius athletes are in high demand.
College recruitment is a stressful process and Athletic Director, Mike Hurley helps students manage that stress. He believes that Saint Ignatius helps prepare students to compete at the highest level and bridges the gap between high school and college.
“We prepare all of our students for that next step in their journey, for some really high level academic institutions around the country and even abroad.” Hurley said.
Ethan Petrillo committed to Lafayette University and is looking forward to continuing his cross country and track career in college.
“I hope to grow as a runner and in the classroom. Hopefully I can run faster times and have the experience of running at the highest level but then also have really good academics and be set up well after college.” said Petrillo.
Petrillo has been running for Saint Ignatius since his freshman year and has a mile time of four minutes and thirty three seconds. Petrillo currently holds the title for indoor boys 800 meter Illinois State Championship with a time of one minute and fifty six seconds. When asked about the importance of winning that race Petrillo said, “Technically it’s a state championship and colleges can look at that and see that, oh he won state, it’s a piece of evidence that I can use to sell myself to them.”
Chris Bolte committed to Yale University and is grateful to be able to play basketball for an Ivy League school.
“The recruitment process was a little stressful near the end as I had to continue these relationships with multiple coaches but in the end I was very humbled to be recruited by great coaches”. Bolte said.
Bolte transferred from Hinsdale South his freshman year and has been a three year varsity athlete. Bolte stands six foot six inches and averages fourteen points per game with eight rebounds per game (via maxpreps).
After an early exit in last year’s playoffs he is hopeful that they can make a deep run in this year’s state tournament. Bolte said “I hope we can win state this year at Ignatius and I hope to leave my mark at Yale as a competitive leader.”.
Francesca Sanchez, a swimmer, is an IHSA Sectional Champion for the 50 Yard Fly and has an overall rank of eleventh in the state (via swimcloud). Sanchez said, “I’m excited I get to do it in college. I’ve been doing it my whole life so getting the chance to continue it is something I’m grateful for.”
Sanchez has swam for Ignatius since freshman year and is committed to swim at Tulane University.
“I just finished my season and it ended pretty well breaking a school record and being runner up in another event so im happy about that and hopefully in college I can be one of their top athletes.” said Sanchez.
Tulane is 17th in the country for swimming and is one of the most competitive schools for swimmers in the United States.
With every athlete outlining their resilience and perseverance in the highly competitive college recruiting process, they all outlined the same narrative; stay confident and never give up.
