Loyola's the softball answer for Olszewski
When Morgan Olszewski played her final softball game for Barrington High School, she decided that her career would come to an end.
"I always toyed with the idea of playing collegiate softball," she said. "But when I needed to make an official decision, I wanted to focus solely on my academics, since my end goal is to go to medical school."
But all that changed over the past few years and Olszewski couldn't be more grateful that Loyola University has given her a chance to play as a walk-on in the Division I program.
Olszewski attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio as a freshman.
"It was great, your ideal college experience," she said. "However, I quickly realized it was not my college experience."
No, Olszewski was getting the craving for softball again.
"I truly believe once you are an athlete, you will always be an athlete," she said. "You will always have that itch to throw a ball or dive into the pool."
At first, she thought it was just the idea of experiencing a new life at a new school without her sport.
But then she noticed it was a feeling that never went away.
"It was that itch to play," she said.
So when the spring academic term of 2014 arrived, Olszewski decided to transfer to Loyola for the fall of 2014.
"To finish off my year at Miami University, I began running," she said. "I was lucky enough to be selected in the lottery system to run the Chicago Marathon. I thought, this is perfect. I was looking for a new sport to pick up that could fill that missing hole where softball used to be."
However, running four half marathons, one marathon and a few smaller races in 2014 equaling 100 miles, running didn't give Olszewski the same athletic high that softball did.
After her running season ended with the Chicago Marathon, Olszewski learned what she called the "the humbling and honoring situation" that arose for the opportunity to join the Loyola University women's softball team.
She returns to the softball field after serving as an all-conference left fielder for the 2013 Barrington Fillies.
Olszewski hit .345 with 39 hits, 6 doubles, 9 home runs and 42 RBI on a team that finished at 36-2 and took third in the IHSA state final.
The 2013 squad was ranked as high as 13th nationally by Maxpreps.com and also received national attention from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.
"Morgan was outstanding her senior year for our state team," said Barrington coach Perry Peterson. "She threw out a runner tagging for home plate in both the first game of the season versus McHenry and the final game of the season versus York for the third-place medal. Her rocket arm and impressive home run power really added to the success of the group."
Now she will try to carry that success to Loyola softball, which was 25-31 last season and 11-15 in the Missouri Valley Conference record of 11-15. The Ramblers played in the 2014 conference championship game and lost 8-7 to Bradley University with an NCAA postseason regional berth at stake.
"Everything just fell into place this winter at Loyola," Peterson added. "Morgan had hoped to return to the sport she loves and Loyola needed to add a big stick to their lineup. I wish Morgan well and know she has what is takes to be successful at that level."
Olszewski will have a familiar face on the diamond.
Brian Freese, a Barrington softball assistant coach the last 13 years, has joined the staff of Ramblers head coach Jeff Tylka, who is also assisted by Brittany Cervantes and Marina Demore.
Olszewski will become the 22nd Barrington softball player to play at the NCAA Division I level since 1993.
"From the moment I began hearing more about this opportunity, meeting the coaches and the team, I knew this (Loyola) is where I belonged," she said. "Everyone was extremely welcoming. It isn't always easy coming in at midseason on a team, but I felt more than welcomed by everyone, which I am incredibly thankful for."
Olszewski trained for a few weeks prior to her tryout for the team.
"To be honest, it had been a great deal of time since I picked up a bat and a ball," she said "It was longer than I had realized but fortunately it's like riding a bike. Once you know how to ride the bike you don't forget. You just have to brush up on what you already know."
Olszewski knew softball was the aspect of college that was missing for her.
"This is how college was supposed to be for me - as an athlete," she said. "I wish I would have realized it sooner but I could not be more happy and grateful to be in the position I am now.
"The people at Loyola have the same values and mindset as me. There is no better phrase in my case than this is the perfect fit for me."
Olszewski credits many people for this opportunity.
"Although it's the typical statement, I would not be in this position without the help and support from my coaches and family," she said. "Even though it was my determination to get to this point, they are the ones who helped build me into the person I am today."
Women's softball
Former Buffalo Grove and Illinois State softball standout Kate Stake has been named the softball head coach at Valparaiso University.
Stake has eight seasons of assistant coaching experience at the Division I level, most recently serving as an assistant at mid-major power Hofstra.
"Kate Stake has the qualities we look for in head coaches," said Valpo director of athletics Mark LaBarbera. "She was a successful student-athlete, she has been a part of championship programs, and she has played for and coached with some of the most distinguished coaches in college softball. She has a strong commitment to student-athlete experience as well. We are excited to have her joining the Valpo Athletics family as the leader of our softball program."
Women's basketball
Former Buffalo Grove standout Christina Jost is the top assistant coach for Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. She was hired in the summer of 2014.
Jost has served as head coach and assistant coach at the college and high school levels. She spent two seasons as the head coach of St. Viator High School.
Prior to that, she spent six seasons as head coach at the University of Ozarks and then Northern New Mexico College.
In addition to her collegiate experience, Jost served as an assistant for two years at Hersey High and she has also been a volunteer for Special Olympics in West Virginia and Arkansas and has coached collegiate and high school softball.
Jost earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from West Virginia Wesleyan College. She started for four years on the West Virginia Wesleyan women's basketball team and served as a team captain from 1997-1999. Jost went on to earn her master's degree in education from Arkansas Tech University.
• Millikin junior forward Alyssa Saklak (Schaumburg) was named the CCIW women's basketball player of the week after she helped lead the Big Blue to a 2-0 record last week as she averaged 24 points and 6.5 rebounds. She scored 27 points (12-of-16 from the field) along with 10 rebounds during a 69-66 road win at North Park in the CCIW opener.
Saklak added 21 points (10-of-15 shooting), 3 rebounds and 4 steals in a 98-57 win at MacMurray.
Women's cross country
North Central College senior Nora Ferguson (Schaumburg), majoring in entrepreneurship/marketing, was named to the list of 76 Academic All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selections for the 2014 fall season. Ferguson competed in eight races with five top-20 finishes. Her best finish came at the Notre Dame Invitational, placing 81st (18:11.9). She was second at the CCIW Championships (22.15.74), along with a 16th place finish at the Midwest Regional Championship and an 82nd-place finish at the Division III national championships.
Men's cross country
North Central freshman Argeni Bailon (Palatine), majoring in athletic training, is also on the list of 76 Academic All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin selections for the 2014 fall season. He competed in four races this season, finishing with a season-high 11th-place finish (25:40.92) at the CCIW Open race.
• Please e-mail Sports Notes items to jleusch@dailyherald.com