On Wednesday, November 8, eleven Marist seniors participated in the first National Letter of Intent signing ceremony of the 2023-24 school year. The event confirmed their plans to continue their academic and athletic careers at the college level.
Surrounded by coaches, parents, and teammates, these student athletes shared where they committed to attend and play. Congratulations to the following athletes!
Baseball
Frankie Bilecki – Bucknell University
Frankie is a Chicago resident and went to St. Barnabas school. His father Frank was Marist baseball player in the 80’s and Frankie’s brother George currently plays at Lewis University. This upcoming spring will be Frankie’s third season on the varsity. In 2022, he pitched 36 innings finishing with a 3-2 record and a 2.33 era, striking out 43 and allowing just 25 hits in his 36 innings of work. Opponents hit just .203.
In 2023, Frankie pitched 37 innings and also had a 3-2 record. He finished with a 3.93 era and struck out 48. This coming season Frankie will be heavily relied on to pitch in big games and is also trending towards playing a position other than pitcher. Bucknell is a high academic, Division 1 program located in Lewisburg, PA. They compete in the Patriot League.
Harry Young – Loras College
Harry is from Tinley Park and went to Cardinal Bernardin grammar school. Harry is one of those guys that keeps developing. In 2023, the varsity team had 14 seniors and it was tough for Harry to get playing time as a position player but he did make a strong contribution on the mound. Harry pitched 21 innings going 1-0 striking out 14 and finishing with a 4.6 era. This spring Harry will get his shot to be both a high leverage pitcher and also should be a starter at multiple positions in the field.
One of the best teammates and players to coach, Harry plans on majoring in Criminal Justice at Loras College which is located in Dubuque, Iowa. Loras finished 29-17 and is a top Division 3 school nationally. Congratulations to Harry Young on your commitment to play baseball at Loras College.
Lacrosse
Kayli Grant – University of Akron
Kayli Grant’s journey started as a 3rd grader playing lacrosse. The youngest of 2 & a Charger from Saint Catherine grade school. Later her journey brought her to Marist as a transfer her sophomore year. Kayli would have been a starter on our varsity team her sophomore year but due to her transfer status she was only eligible to play on our JV team where she show tremendous leadership, patience & courage. After joining our varsity team her junior year Kayli’s talent came to light as she was named all sectional, all conference and All State honorable mentioned. She also lead our team in scoring & was named our Offensive Player of the Year.
Her determination as a player was in full display during a playoff games vs Ignatius last year when she pick up a loose ball with 28 second left in a very challenging game to secure the win which allows us to later win our 2nd Sectional. She defines what it means “that it’s not where you start but where you finish”. Her older sister plays lacrosse for Saint Mary College of Notre Dame. Kayli will attend the University of Akron to play D1 lacrosse and major in criminal justice.
Maeve Flynn – St. Ambrose University
Maeve Flynn is the oldest of 3 from Saint Cajetan grade school. She started playing Lacrosse at Marist just her sophomore year and has made tremendous stride in a short period of time. She is a 2 sport athlete, who has played basketball since 4th grade and was part of the Marist basketball program for three years. Since joining our program she has played travel lacrosse for Lakeshore Midwest Select Navy Team.
There is great value in been a lefty attacker in lacrosse & Maeve was able to truly understand her role when we lost our starting lefty attacker last year halfway thru the season. After only playing for one year she step into the role & finish the season as our starter as we headed into the Supersectional. Her hard work has given her the ability to continue to play lacrosse at the next level. She will be Fighting Bee next year and attend Saint Ambrose University & major in nursing.
Maggie Ohle – Virginia Commonwealth University
Maggie Ohle has been part of our Varsity team since she scored 4 goals on her first HS game vs Lyons her Freshman year. Maggie is a former Buckeye from Barnabas & the youngest of 3. Since that freshman game she has been in the top 3 of several categories, from assist to ground balls. Playing at the next level was a goal of hers since she began playing in 8th grade for Beverly Lacrosse. Ever since picking up a lacrosse stick she has felt in love with lacrosse & it shows by the way she plays on the field. Maggie defines what it means to have the heart of a lion. She is forever grateful for the opportunities lacrosse & Marist have given her. She has received All Sectional & All Conference Honors sophomore and Junior year.
As a sophomore she received our RedHawk award and The GRIT Award her junior year. Maggie’s is a tremendous leader & this was on display last year when she was elected by her teammates to be captain her junior year. Her great leadership & GRIT has led Marist to back to back Supersectionals. She is looking forward to the rest of her time with her Marist’s team this spring and can’t wait for her next chapter. She will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University to be a pre med student and Play D1 Lacrosse.
Softball
Camryn Lyons – Boston University
Cam has been on the Varsity team since her sophomore year as an outfielder. She was an integral part of the 2023 Championship team and the 2022 runner up team. In her junior season, Cam hit an outstanding .555 on the year, and is now ranked 3rd in the Marist record books for single season average. She had 61 hits on the year, 43 RBI, and 40 runs scored. She was ICA All State, and was a huge reason for our success recording 5 hits, scoring 1 run and knocking in 3 RBI in the state tournament.
Cam is an outstanding athlete, but also well known in our program for her unbelievable work ethic, being a great teammate, and going above and beyond with her leadership. In the summer, she plays with the Beverly Bandits, and is nationally ranked 65 in her class.
Caroline O’Brien – University of Notre Dame
Caroline has been on the Varsity team since her freshman season. She is a 2x State Champion and a State Runner up. In 2022, Caroline played center field and in 2023 she was our catcher. In her junior year, Caroline hit leadoff for the RedHawks recording 67 hits on the year, 16 doubles and 64 runs scored. She now holds the single season record for doubles and runs scored. Caroline was an extra innings all American, ICA All State, and ESCC player of the year. Down state, Caroline helped the RedHawks lock in the championship by scoring 3 runs and 3RBI.
Caroline is well known for being a positive and upbeat teammate. She leads both vocally and by example. She leaves everything she has on the field every single play, and her work ethic and commitment has got her to where she is today. In the summer, Caroline plays with the Beverly Bandits, and is ranked 36 in her class.
Swimming
Emily Belcik – Carthage College
She has plans to pursue a nursing degree and will have an amazing future at Carthage. Emily has dedicated her four years at Marist to an incredibly successful swimming and academic career. Currently Emily’s name is listed on 6 of the 11 possible swimming event school records. She is the first swimming state qualifier in Marist history qualifying for state her junior year in the 100 free.
Emily is fiercely competitive, assumes all opponents are within her reach, races intelligently , and maintains a friendliness and level of sportsmanship that is unrivaled. She is a tremendous leader and all around good person. Good luck at Carthage!
Volleyball
Jessica Kurpeikis – University of Wisonsin – Green Bay
Jessica comes from St. Barnabas school and is a 4 year member of the Marist Volleyball Program. She has been a part of 4 ESCC Championship teams, 2 Regional Championship teams, and was just named ESCC All-Conference this season. Jess was named All-Tournament at both the Plainfield North Invite and the SkyHawk Invitational in Omaha, Nebraska.
Jess was a team captain this season and was a top contributor with 262 kills, 52 blocks, and 40 aces. Jess is a also candidate for the 2023 All-Area Team. She is a dean’s list student who will study Business management. Jess will join her older Sister Ellie who is currently a junior on the Wisconsin-Green Bay Team.
Hannah Hosty – Truman State
Hannah is a 4 year member of the Marist Volleyball Program joining us from Most Holy Redeemer School. Hannah has also been a part of 4 straight ESCC Conference teams, 2 Regional Championship Squads, and was just named an All-Conference player this season. Hannah was named All-State Honorable Mention and is a candidate for the All Area Team.
Hannah was a force in the middle for a 34-5 team that went from unranked to reaching Top 10 in the National rankings this season. Hannah is a dean’s list student who plans to study nursing at Truman State.
Larisa Link – Illinois Wesleyan
Larisa comes from St. Jerome School in Bridgeport and is a 4 year member of the Marist Volleyball Program and a 3 – year varsity player. Larisa has been apart of 4 ESCC Championship squads as well as 3 Regional Championship teams. Larisa was a versatile player who embodied the great qualities represented by our volleyball senior class.
Larisa is the vice president of the Italian National Honor Society, Student ambassador, and Dean’s List student. She will study Nursing at Illinois Wesleyan.
Best of luck in the future, RedHawks!
