Barrington's Giovenco realizes dream at Valparaiso
Ever since he was a young boy, Charlie Giovenco dreamed of playing soccer at a successful Division 1 school with hopes of becoming a professional soccer player.
The Barrington senior has taken a first major step in that direction. Giovenco has committed to the Valparaiso men's soccer program.
“When I was a sophomore, I attended a VIP soccer camp at Valparaiso and really enjoyed the campus (size and surroundings) and working with the coaching staff, “ Giovenco said. “At that point, I knew I wanted to play for coach (Mike) Avery and Valparaiso was where were I wanted to attend and play college soccer.”
What made it even more appealing is the academic side of things.
“It's also known as being one of the best academic schools in the Midwest,” Giovenco said. “I am currently enrolled in the College of Business Administration studying sports management, however, I have also thought about becoming a history teacher.”
Giovenco has quite a history in soccer.
He has played for one of the most prestigious clubs in the nation (Sockers FC) since he was 8 years old. He also played for the Olympic Development Program before joining the Sockers Academy team.
“I am hopeful that being part of a D1 soccer program will be a stepping stone to something greater,” said Giovenco, who is rated No. 18 in Top Drawer Soccer's Midwest regional ranking for 2011 soccer recruits.
A 5-foot-11 right back/midfielder, Giovenco has a strong family connection to Valparaiso. Charlie's cousin, John Giovenco, is a member of the school's football team.
In his senior season at Barrington, Giovenco was selected to the Daily Herald all-area team.
“I would like to thank coach (Scott) Steib and coach Rob (DeMano) for all their help this past year at Barrington,” Giovenco said. “They both gave me extra training and encouragement to be a leader on the field.”
Avery is excited for Giovenco to join the Crusaders.
“Charlie is another excellent addition to our squad,” Avery said. “We have followed him closely over the last few years, and have grown very fond of Charlie and his family.
“Charlie is a player with a tremendous amount of potential. He has a strong soccer pedigree and has received great training with the Sockers academy side. Charlie plays in the back, but ultimately he is a player that helps us keep the ball. He is sharp with his decisions, and he backs it all up with tremendous work rate. Charlie is a great pickup for our team, and he has a bright future in our program.”
Giovenco began playing when he was 5 years old.
“I always found it more fun kicking a ball then throwing one for some reason so my parents had me join Sockers FC when I was 8,” he said. “My coaches have really helped me grow as a soccer player over the last seven years with the extensive training and the level of competition that we play.”
Women's softball
Emory freshman pitcher Lena Brottman (Fremd) has made an immediate impact during the early stages of the season.
Brottman has crafted a 5-0 start on the mound in helping Emory to the program's second 10-0 start in school history.
Brottman has tossed 5 complete games and posted an impressive 0.62 ERA, allowing just 3 earned runs in 34 innings. She has struck out 28 and issued just 4 walks.
Men's hockey
St. Viator junior Danny Lopez has committed to play hockey for Harvard in the fall of 2013.
He currently plays for Team Illinois and is one of the leading scorers in the league. The team is ranked second in the nation and is shooting for a Tier 1 national championship.
Women's hockey
Rensselaer sophomore Audrey Stapleton (Barrington) is a member of the RPI women's ice hockey team.
A former standout with the Chicago Young Americans, the Barrington Hills native played in 19 ECAC Hockey contests. She attended Barrington and played two years of ice hockey.
Rensselaer concluded its season with a pair of losses to top-seeded Cornell, which is also ranked No. 2 in the nation, in the first round of the ECAC Hockey playoffs. The team finished with a 10-18-7 overall record with an 8-12-2 conference mark.
Girls soccer
Rolling Meadows senior Maddie Conlin, a four-year starter and three-year captain for Mustangs coach Jeff Adkins, has been named to the IHSA Academic All-State team.
“Maddie is going to be what we believe to be the only person ever at Rolling Meadows to earn 12 varsity letters,” Adkins said.
Adkins said Conlin will attend Notre Dame and she was also accepted by Dartmouth.
“I have been blessed with some really great kids, but Maddie shines even among a great group,” Adkins said. “She's also the conductor for the band and was on the Homecoming Court. I can't say enough about her.”
Women's track and field
University of California's Theresa Raub (Prospect) vaulted 13 feet, 2 inches to finish fifth in the pole vault at the PAC-10 Indoor Conference Championships in Seattle.
Raub is earning a Master's Degree in Education at Berkeley while competing in her final year of collegiate eligibility.
Men's track and field
Iowa sophomore Jeff Thode (Conant) placed third in the one mile race at the Big Ten Conference Indoor championships in Champaign.
He had a personal-best and school-record time of 4:02.00. Two weeks earlier, Thode had a personal-best and school record in the 3,000 meters of 8:00.38.
Northwest Academy
Practice begins Monday March 14 for the Northwest Basketball Academy directed by Hall of Famer Bill Probst, who is in his 44th year of coaching.
He has won more than 1,000 wins in various levels high school boys and girls and college men's and women's basketball.
Probst was the women's head coach at McHenry County College when its defense was ranked No. 1 in the nation.
All practices will be held at St. John's Lutheran School in Algonquin (320 Jefferson Street).
Practices will be every Monday and Wednesday from March through May and there will be weekend tournaments starting April 8 at Judson University.
Cost is $600, including all expenses.
Ÿ Please e-mail Sports Notes items to jleusch@dailyherald.com or FAX to (847) 427-1173.