Huntley's Mychko commits to Illinois
It has long been Jenna Mychko's wish to play college softball in the Big Ten Conference.
That dream became reality Wednesday when Huntley softball coach Mark Petryniec announced that his junior catcher has verbally committed to accept a scholarship offer from the University of Illinois. She is the first Huntley softball player to earn a Division I scholarship.
"It was my dream to play for a Big Ten school," said Mychko, who ranks 67th in her class of 462 students. "Being from Illinois, I really liked Illinois. I took my first visit there and fell in love with it. The campus is amazing and the coaches are so outstanding and so nice. I got to meet the volleyball coach and the basketball coach and everyone was very nice. I knew Illinois was the place for me."
Mychko, who also visited Illinois-Chicago, has been a force on the high school scene since her freshman season. A two-time Daily Herald All-Area player, she has a .511 career batting average for the Red Raiders in 64 games, which includes 24 doubles, 7 triples, 5 home runs, 76 RBI and 42 runs scored. She has a career .997 fielding average and has thrown out 21 of 33 runners trying to steal on her.
Mychko, whose father Eric formerly coached football and softball at Huntley, said that while it's nice to have her college choice made early, it won't stop her from continuing to work hard.
"It's a relief but it also puts an extra challenge on me," said Mychko, whose is a cousin to former Huntley football star Brett Borchart. "I know they're going to push me harder when I get to Illinois so I have to push myself harder."
Illinois finished 30-32 last season and 8-12 in the Big Ten. The Illini program began in 1999 and Terri Sullivan has been the only head coach the program has had. She is 288-216 in her tenure and has led the Illini to two NCAA Tournament berths.
"We're very excited for Jenna," said Petryniec. "She's worked hard at this and to get an offer as a junior is really good for her. It's a goal she's had and Illinois was one of the top schools she wanted to go to. We're happy for her."