Wheeling grad Godlewski cherising her opporunity in North Carolina
This one all adds up.
Former Wheeling all-state water polo player and swimmer Theresa Godlewski is now a math teacher and coaching the sport she loves.
Godlewski, who appeared in this column a handful of times when she was starring in the Summit League for the South Dakota University women's swim team, is working at New Bern High School in North Carolina.
"I truly love being in the classroom and being able to make relationships with my students," Godlewski said. "My favorite aspect of being a teacher so far, is seeing students achieve more than they thought they were capable of and watching their brains click to a concept."
Locals will surely remember how Godlewski (Class of 2015) clicked in the water while at Wheeling High School, where she broke three school records (50 free, 100 back and 200 free relay) and held the Mid-Suburban League record in the 100 back. She also broke five pool records at opponents' pools.
Today, she teaches level 3 math, primarily to juniors, at New Bern.
She has also been hired by the school district to be the assistant swim coach for both the boys and girls teams.
"Being a swim coach is what I know I'm meant to do," Godlewski said. "My passions for swimming and helping people come together when I am coaching. It's where I feel most in my element and I love helping athletes achieve their goals and become the best they can be."
Godlewski's father Mike teaches at Maine West where he is also the boys golf coach.
"It is so exciting to see my daughter follow in my teaching and coaching footsteps and I couldn't be more proud of her," Mike Godlewski said. "She is a very passionate and intelligent young lady who will touch the lives of many, many students and athletes."
Mustangs shootout
The 25th annual Mustang 3 on 3 Shootout basketball tournament will be December 15, sponsored by the Rolling Meadows High School athletic boosters.
The tournament is open to third through eighth grade boys and girls and also includes high school, college and adult divisions.
Each team is guaranteed a minimum of three high-speed officiated 20-minute games. Trophies are awarded to each division winner and all participants get a tournament T-shirt. Games begin at 8:30 a.m. at Rolling Meadows High School with elementary and middle schoolers playing first.
The high school, college and adult players take the courts starting late morning and finishing midafternoon. Concessions will be available and cost for the tournament is $120 if registered by December 8 ($130 through Dec. 12).
Proceeds benefit athletics at Rolling Meadows High School.
Teams can register at rmhsboosters.com. For more information visit the website or call Dave Dillon (847-525-8969) or Rick Kowalski (847-421-1258).
Women's soccer
Winona State junior and Buffalo Grove alum Georgette Topalis earned Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference third-team honors.
Topalis led Winona State this season in goals (7) and points (15) - both career highs for the forward. Her point total ranked 14th among all conference players in 2019. Two of Topalis' goals stood as game-winners for the Warriors.
Women's cross country
Saint Mary's College (IN) freshman Julia O'Grady (Prospect) was named the school's Athlete of the Week when she finished 38th out of 233 runners at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional race.
O'Grady posted a time of 22:31.3 as she finished fourth among freshmen in the race.
She was three places away from capturing all-region honors as the Belles finished 17th as a team, nine places higher in the standings (26th) from last year's finish at the NCAA regional.
Cleveland to hall
Marathon swimmer Marcia Cleveland, a swim instructor at Five Seasons Family Sports Club in Northbrook, will be inducted into The International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame's Class of 2020.
During her 28-year career, Cleveland set many marks, and still holds the record as the fastest Triple Crown swimmer. She posted the quickest combined time for swimming the English Channel, Catalina Channel, and Manhattan.
Author of the book, "Dover Solo," the bible of preparing for marathon swims, Cleveland has been one of the most prolific contributors to the advancement of distance swimming in the United States and globally. The induction ceremony will be held in New York City on May 2, 2020.
Men's basketball
University of Chicago freshman forward Bryce Hopkins (Fremd) came off the bench and produced the first double-double of his career (13 points, 10 rebounds) as the Maroons defeated Washington College 85-51.
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