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Naperville North inducting seven into sports Hall of Fame

Posted January 15, 2009 10:00 pm

By Melissa Jenco Daily Herald Staff

From the student athletes who gave their all in every match to those who went above and beyond to support them, Naperville North is honoring those who shaped its athletic program.

Seven former North athletes and coaches will be inducted tonight into the school's athletic Hall of Fame.

The school will honor the group in a ceremony around 6:45 p.m. between the sophomore and varsity basketball games at the high school, 899 N. Mill St. Game tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for students.

"It's a good time to honor those athletes who have helped establish tradition here at North," athletic director Doug Smith said.

Inductees include five athletes - swimmer Tim Carlson, Class of 1998; football player and runner Bart Smith, 1988; soccer player Dan Pettigrew, 1984; volleyball, basketball and softball player Rachel Karos, 2001; and soccer player Aileen Guiney, 1999.

Longtime football, wrestling and track coach Stan Gruszka also will be inducted along with the late Gene Drendel, a former associate superintendent of Naperville Unit District 203 known for being the wrestling announcer at the school, DuPage Valley Conference and state levels for the past three decades.

This is the fourth year of honoring former athletes, but Smith said there was no shortage of state champions and All-Americans to choose from.

"They're just as worthy as any previous inductee class," Smith said, "which speaks well of Naperville North athletic tradition over the years."

Tim Carlson, 1998bull; Two-time MVP in swimming and divingbull; 12-time state medalist including one state championship in 400-yard free relay and two championships in the 200-yard IMbull; Set state record in 200-yard IMbull; Swam for Southern Methodist University where he was three-time NCAA qualifier and six-time All-AmericanGene Drendelbull; Educator in Naperville Unit District 203 from 1963 to 1994 including principal of Jefferson Junior High and associate superintendentbull; Announcer at all of North's home wrestling meets, all DuPage Valley Conference wrestling tournaments since it started and state wrestling tournament for 30 yearsbull; Recipient of inaugural IHSA Distinguished Service AwardStan Gruszkabull; Teacher and coach in District 203 for 33 years including North head wrestling coach with more than 175 wins, football line coach and track throw coachbull; Two-time Distinguished Educator at Northbull; Illinois football and wrestling coaches halls of fameAileen Guiney, 1999bull; All-Conference and All-State in soccer all four years; All-American, two-time Player of the Yearbull; Member of North's second and four-place state teamsbull; Four-year starter and three-year captain and MVP while at Northwesternbull;Two-time first team All-Big Ten and second all-time assist leader at NorthwesternRachel Karos, 2001bull; Team captain of volleyball, basketball and softball teamsbull; Two-time All-Conference in softball and basketball, two-time basketball MVP and third-team All-State in basketballbull; Naperville North Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year in 2001bull; Played basketball and softball at Eastern Illinois University where she holds three school softball records and was Ohio Valley All-ConferenceDan Pettigrew, 1984bull; Only four-year varsity letter-winning soccer player under coach David Bucherbull; Three-time All-Conference, three-time All-Sectional, two-time All-State, two-time captain and MVPbull; Played at Princeton and graduated cum laudeBart Smith, 1988bull; Two-year varsity letter winner in footballbull; Four-year participant in track and its MVPbull; Set 1600 meter relay and 110 meter high hurdle records that still stand at North and set school record for most points scored at state track meetbull; Two-time state champion in 300 meter hurdles If you go What: Naperville North Athletic Hall of Fame induction When: Between sophomore and varsity basketball games, roughly 6:45 p.m. today Where: Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill St. Game tickets: $4 for adults, $2 for students Info: (630) 420-6490

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