It’s that time of year again – the end of the year is nearing, and seniors are finalizing their post-secondary plans. For some students, these plans include continuing their sport in college.
Conor Fayard
Golfer Conor Fayard (12) has committed to Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, for sports business and golf.
“I haven’t heard anything bad about Carthage,” Fayard said. “Everyone there seems super nice—[Carthage] felt like one of those Southern hotspots where people are just really friendly. Wisconsin gave off the same kind of vibe.”
Fayard began his golf journey at First Tee, a golfing nonprofit, with his dad on the course. In eighth grade, he began playing competitively.
“I really love the competitive aspect of [golf]—that’s a big reason I still play today,” Fayard said.
Along with the competition, Fayard also loves the sport because of the peace of mind it brings him.
“I like going out [to the golf course] after school sometimes when it’s really quiet—it’s just a way to get away,” Fayard said.
Dani Gomez-Anez
After her time at VHHS, Dani Gomez-Anez (12) will be attending Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, for neuroscience, cross country and track and field.
Gomez-Anez began cross country in fifth grade and track and field in sixth grade. Her love for running originated from watching her dad run ultramarathons when she was young.
Throughout her running career at VHHS, Gomez-Anez ’s favorite aspect of the sport has been the friendships she has built along the way.
“I love being able to have a team of supportive, dedicated teammates that I can just talk with for long periods of time during our runs,” Gomez-Anez said. “The friendships I’ve made with runners over the course of my four years have been life-changing in the best way possible.”.
Aside from running, Gomez-Anez has been involved in hip-hop and gymnastics. Although she participated in gymnastics for all four years of high school, she ultimately decided to stick with track and cross country.
“[Running is] a great way for me to relieve stress and work on goals both as a team and individually,” Gomez-Anez said.
Gomez-Anez chose Trinity College to continue her sports not only for their strong academics but also because they offered her a full merit-based scholarship.
Liam Boehme
Right side hitter Liam Boehme (12) has committed to Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, to continue his volleyball career and to study physics as a pre-engineering major.
“I started [playing volleyball] in middle school because my friends from [my]neighborhood told me to give it a shot,” Boehme said.
Boehme began playing club volleyball at Adversity Volleyball Club the summer after his freshman year.
“I got to play with some of the best players in the state, even though I wasn’t very good at the time,” Boehme said. “After having a good experience there, I stuck with club volleyball.”
One of Boehme’s favorite aspects of the sport is that it is not a direct-contact sport but still competitive.
“I love how competitive it can be, and how you can really see someone’s personality based on how they act on the court,” Boehme said. “I’ll be like ‘I’m gonna get you, dude!’ It’s all just part of the energy.”
Jeremy Gitzinger
Catcher and third baseman Jeremy Gitzinger (12) has committed to Grandview University in Des Moines, Iowa, for baseball and athletic training. Gitzinger began playing baseball at the Libertyville Recreation Center when he was four years old.
“I just kind of followed in my brother’s footsteps. I’ve stuck with [baseball] ever since,” Gitzinger said.
Gitzinger’s family has had a big impact on his motivation to continue playing baseball.
“A big part of it is my parents. I feel like I owe it to them because of how much they’ve supported me, [with] time, money, everything,” Gitzinger said.
Along with this, Gitzinger will be the first person in his family to go to college for baseball, which he finds exciting.
“I want to explore something no one else in my family has experienced,” Gitzinger said. “Beyond that, I just want to see how far I can go. If I can go beyond college, that would be amazing—but even if not, that possibility alone keeps me going.”
Gitzinger’s advice to athletes thinking of committing to college for a sport is to commit sooner rather than later. He also explains that having a great mindset is extremely important.
“Make sure you’re having fun—because if you don’t enjoy it, there’s no point in forcing yourself. [Playing sports] is a grind, both in high school and even more so at the college level,” Gitzinger said.
Frannie Poulos
Attacking midfielder Frannie Poulos (12) has committed to the University of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, Indiana, for soccer and chemistry.
“What stood out to me about Ulndy was the strong academics and the chance to keep playing soccer at a higher level,” Poulos said.
Poulos believes the University of Indianapolis is somewhere she can grow both as an athlete and as a student.
“I just got a really good feeling from [UIndy’s] team and coaches, like it would be a place I’d feel supported and challenged [in],” Poulos said.
Poulos grew up watching her older brother play soccer, and when she was six years old, she began playing, too.
“I always thought [soccer] looked fun when I watched [my brother’s] games from the sideline, so my parents signed me up for it too,” Poulos said. “From the first time I played, I loved it.”
Over the years, Poulos’ favorite aspect of soccer has been how fast-paced the sport is.
“There’s always something happening, and it keeps me on my toes,” Poulos said. “It’s a sport that pushes you physically and mentally, which I really enjoy.”
Along with this, the friendships she has made with her teammates are among some of her most valuable experiences in the sport. One of her favorite memories was winning regionals during the 2024 season.
“It was such a big moment for our team, and it felt amazing knowing all the hard work paid off,” Poulos said. “We went through a lot that season, and to come out on top was really special. Celebrating with my teammates was one of the best feelings and something l’ll never forget.”
Violet Bossler
Violet Bossler (12) has committed to Hope College, a liberal arts college in Holland, Michigan, for diving and biology on the pre-veterinary track.
“I started diving in my senior year because I was a competitive cheerleader for six years, and I really missed that feeling of flipping through the air,” Bossler said.
Even though leaving cheerleading was not an easy decision for her, Bossler found her love in diving.
“I love how freeing and individual diving is,” Bossler said. “The goal of the sport is to push yourself past what you thought you could do and see the growth in your own performance, not so much how well you do compared to the other team.”
When reflecting on her season, Bossler’s “flops” immediately come to mind.
“While the actual act of smacking to water is no fun at all, popping up out of the water, seeing all my teammates’ horrified faces, and watching back the clips of our flops are some of the funniest memories I think I’ll ever make,” Bossler said.
ATHLETIC COMMITTMENTS
*Students who have committed to college for their sport
Abi Karl – Equestrian
Conor Fayard – Golf
Dani Gomez-Anez – Track and Field & Cross
Country
Frannie Poulos – Soccer
Haley Clegg – Track and Field & Cross Country
Izzy Loiben – Softball
Jeremy Gitzinger – Baseball
Kyle Magsino – Soccer
Liam Boehme – Volleyball
Lundaa Hayanhirvaa – Golf
Muxe Marhanele – Soccer
Samir Gillett – Baseball
Sophie Ackerman – Soccer
12-SPORT ATHLETES
* Students who have participated in three sports all four years of high school
Dani Gomez-Anez
Izzy Wakefield
Jori Ellen
Kaloyan Koychev
Livy Tran
Lora Kashidova
Michelle Utsis
Ori Marx
Renatha Heredia
Sammy Ryniec
Stephen Posner
3-SPORT SENIORS
* Students who have participated in three sports throughout their senior year
Alyssa Waitzman
Caden Katz
Frannie Poulos
Kaloyan Spasov
Mia Bellini
Tessa Posner